35

Crunch Ranjani (she/her)

Aug 06, 2024

I turn 35 sometime between today and tomorrow.

Here are some things I've learned, some reminders to myself, and some notes for my future self.

Drink more water. It's almost guaranteed that you're not drinking enough water -- have a sip now.
Making a decision? HALT first. Check with yourself to see if you're Hungry, Angry, Lonely, and Tired. If you are, don't make a decision!
Credit: Reddit
In a similar vein... If you feel like everyone hates you, sleep. If you feel like you hate everyone, eat. If you feel like you hate yourself, shower. And if you feel like everyone hates everyone, go outside.
It's okay to feel your feelings. It's good to feel your feelings.
But don't let your feelings stop you from doing what needs to be done.
Trust your gut.
Good people can be bad for you. It's okay to let them go. It doesn't make you a bad person for letting go of a good person.
Healing isn't linear.
Progress isn't linear either.
Be patient. With others. And especially with yourself.
Success is what you want it to be. Don't fall into the trap of letting someone else define what success looks like for you.
Take the time to appreciate your body. It's the only one you have and the only one you'll get for the rest of your life. Take care of it.
Nothing lasts forever -- all terrible things will come to an end at some point. Don't lose hope.
Nothing lasts forever -- all wonderful things will also come to an end at some point. Appreciate this present moment, the people you have around you, the reality that exists now.
We need each other. We can't do this (whatever this is) alone.
Be kind. It costs nothing, but could mean everything to someone.
If you're traveling, keep copies of your travel documents with you, in the cloud, and with someone else who's not traveling with you. You never know when you might need it.
Keep cash on you, always.
Always use more garlic than the recipe calls for.
People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. It'll save you some heartache and woe if you learn to figure out which early on.
There are no coincidences.
Being vulnerable is not being weak. It takes great strength and courage.
Love is a form of resistance. Engage in it as much as possible.
If it doesn't work, try unplugging it and plugging it back in. This applies to many things, even people. Take a second to unplug.
Your actions are never too small to make a difference.
It's important to find joy in your life. If you can't find it, create it. If you can't create it, it's time for a change.
We are all connected. More so than it seems, and definitely more than you think.
Move.
Don't fight the river. Go with the flow.
Ask for what you need. It's okay to ask for help. To ask for a hug. To ask for forgiveness. To ask for kindness.
We always have all the love we need. It may not look like what we imagined, it may not come from the people we expected, but it is always present, and it is always enough.
Wear the right shoes. And clothes. Life becomes much more palatable that way.
You're only as old as you feel.
Expect the unexpected, but never let yourself stop being surprised.
Breathe. And keep breathing. It's going to be fine. Everything is going to be fine.