This is 30

I’ve been reflecting on my 20’s the past couple of days since I turned 30 last Friday. These past 10 years have included so much growth, happiness, sadness, frustration, love, feeling lost, feeling found. Feeling so low that I didn’t know if I would ever feel like “me” again. Feeling so aligned and happy I didn’t know it was possible. One thing has become so apparent through it all and that is that you can’t have the light without the dark. It is impossible to know true happiness, joy, love, excitement, etc without the opposite. We are all on a different path, learning life’s lessons and being confronted by our fears. I truly believe that people are placed in our lives to teach us a lesson, great or small. I also believe that it’s at this age where we truly realize what is important, who has our back, what we ultimately want out of life, and how we want to show up.

I feel like I’ve learned so much about myself this last decade. I was 21 when I had my first real panic attack. I lived in this anxiety ridden, fear state for almost 2 years straight. I didn’t know how I was going to pull myself out, but I knew I had to try. I was completely lost and felt like I would almost never find a way out. Very slowly, but surely I did. I see my anxiety as my greatest teacher now because these days I am so in tune with my body and the energy around me. I have always been a highly sensitive person, but after going through this I had a new outlook on life in general and saw my sensitivity as a tool instead of a hinderance. I am stronger than I ever would have been without this experience and I found my true passion of health and wellness through it all. After taking some time off of school because of the tough internal battle I was facing, I went back and finished my degree in Healthy Lifestyles Coaching from ASU and became certified as a Health Coach from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. I started healing my body from the inside out and addressing issues with my gut, adrenals, and thyroid. I know healing naturally from anxiety and panic attack disorders are possible because I did it and its my absolute passion to help others do the same.

I’m so grateful for the path I’ve been on. Sometimes I feel pressure to be more and do more but then I remember that everything happens for a reason and I’m exactly where I need to be. And these are just a few things I’ve learned along the way…

Vibes are real, they don’t lie.

When people show you who they are, believe them.

Actions speak louder than words, always.

Constantly seek knowledge and continue to evolve and better yourself.

Surround yourself with those who lift you up, make you a better person, care about your happiness, fill you with joy, and make you laugh.

Don’t take what others say or do so personally, it isn’t about you.

Be you, be kind, be authentic, be genuine.

Not everyone is going to like you and that’s okay.

Listen more than you speak.

Have the difficult conversations.

Lean into your fears and go after the things you want.

Call your mom whenever times get tough because there isn’t anything that talking to your mom can’t fix (at least with my mom because she is an actual earth angel).

Call your grandparents and take the time to make sure they know they are important to you.

Quit caring so damn much about what people think of you (I’m still working on this one).

Create things that make you happy.

Pain and sadness are temporary, so feel the emotions, let it out, and let it go.

Forgive even when it’s hard because life is too short and harboring resentment doesn’t do you any good.

Let the people who are important to you know that.

Try new things and always make time for adventure.

It’s okay to like and have nice things, but remember those things do not define you or your worth.

Live by the values you want people to remember you by.

Do the things that “light you up” and do them often.

Have discipline and do the things you don’t necessarily want to but know you need to.

Take good care of yourself. Eat healthy, get lots of rest, exercise, meditate, and journal.

Mindset is everything. You cannot have a healthy body with a negative mind.

Ask questions about people and their lives. Take a genuine interest in them.

If you know a person’s true story, you wouldn’t dislike them.

There is power in being vulnerable. It’s scary as hell, but it’s healing for you and for others.

It doesn’t matter if someone calls you a weird hippie because you like to drink green smoothies, burn sage, and get excited about house plants and crystals.

Don’t let your emotions get the best of you.

You don’t need to do what society says you should be doing. Your path is your own.

Don’t leave your laundry in the washer too long because you’ll end up having to rewash it.

If you don’t love something in the store, you aren’t going to love it more once you bring it home. So only buy items you truly love.

Connection and love is what the human experience is all about. Most everything else is just a bunch of fluff.

You can recreate yourself at any moment.

Age is just a number. Don’t let that stop you.

Take more risks and don’t be so afraid of failure.

Let go of people or things that are not serving you. Life is too short.

I would LOVE to hear about some things that you’ve learned in the last 10 years or even just 1 year of your life! Thank you for reading along and letting me share a piece of my heart with you.

With love,

Ashley