35 Reflections on Turning 35

I am officially old enough to be President of the United States (though qualified in no other way 🙃). In honor of this milestone, I put my overthinking to use and made this list of 35 random thoughts:

1. Life isn’t black and white, but it is beautifully complicated. Embrace the uncertainty.
2. When I was young, I was considered Generation Y. It wasn’t until recently I learned I fall in the Millennial category, which is apparently another name for Y. I’m also on the cusp of Gen X but fail to realize how any of it means anything. Aren’t these kinds of stereotypes obsolete yet?
3. I try to translate 20/20 hindsight into perfect foresight, but it doesn’t work like that.
4. Never say never (or always). Whenever I do, I jinx myself.
5. The most inspiring people I know wake up every morning and pray for God to show them the way.
6. No good comes from reacting to half a story. Without taking time to learn both sides, don't make time to opine.
7. Life is hard. Life is not fair. Bad things happen to good people. Vague cliches are annoying and also assurance I’m not alone.
8. Happiness is a choice. Nobody is happy all the time. We need the valleys to appreciate the mountaintops.
9. Many rules I learned working inside the federal government are invalid outside of the federal government.
10. Rarely does common ground occur among differing opinions when the opinion holders are separated by two screens and the internet.
11. Be kind always. I’m old enough to think of rewinding a VHS tape when I hear “be kind.”
12. Regret is a waste of energy. There is no parallel universe to relive past events with current knowledge (that we know of...), so learn and look forward.
13. Animals with fur make me sneeze. All of them, big and small, even those labeled “hypoallergenic.” This makes me look like a pet-hater, but I am not. Appearances aren’t everything.
14. Be positive is my blood type and my motto. I need the reminder because good vibes aren’t always natural to me.
15. I am a cry baby, emotional empath, highly sensitive person, or whatever you want to call it. It took me years to learn sensitivity does not equal weakness.
16. Scientists are wrong 38% of the time (probably). Statistics don’t mean much, or as Nietzsche put it, “There are no facts, only interpretations.”
17. Something ridiculously true Michael Scott said on The Office, “There’s no such thing as an appropriate joke. That’s why it’s a joke.” Laughter and offense are both choices with differing results.
18. I can search the ends of the earth for peace and acceptance, or save time and look in the only place I can find it: within myself.
19. I sometimes miss when Google searches were more neutral with less algorithmic assumption and paid boost.
20. Media is brain food. My thoughts are impacted by what I read, see, and hear. Thoughts are powerful, so I try to feed them well.
21. The existence of the earth, air, water, stars, sun, universe, etc. is much bigger than our human minds can comprehend. I don’t think we’re even close to understanding it.
22. I get lost in my head sometimes. Some people can relate to that, others can’t.
23. Proactivity is better than procrastination, even when the timing doesn’t “feel right.” When I put things off, they may still be “perfect,” but they are also nonexistent.
24. A good mood is only a workout away, though motivation to exercise is harder for me to find when I’m in a bad one, even when I know it will help.
25. Stop when hangry. Get a snack before proceeding, preferably a healthy one. Food is fuel, not emotional candy.
26. Tony Horton says, “Aging is for idiots.” Nutrition and exercise prevent his definition of “aging.” Best self is greater than best life.
27. As a lover a holistic medicine, I couldn’t give one rat’s ass if the FDA has evaluated something when it helps my health.
28. All personal development books say the same things in different words. As long as I’m taking time to improve myself, I’m doing it right.
29. Feelings feed my vivid imagination, which fuels my anxiety when thoughts go in the wrong direction.
30. The day I learned to meditate was the day I learned to quiet my anxiety.
31. Idle hands really are the devil’s playground. Hands can still be idle when holding a smart phone.
32. Having “balance” in life both exists and isn’t achievable.
33. I enjoy spending time alone. Some think that sounds lonely. Others get that need for time to recharge.
34. Nothing is better for confidence than being yourself while others love you flaws and all. Spend time with those people.
35. I’m not where I thought I’d be at age 35. Instead, I'm somewhere beyond my imagination. For that, I'm grateful.