Today is my 40th birthday and honestly, I am really freaking excited to celebrate this year. My thirties were infinitely better than my twenties, which were exponentially better than my teens … which must mean, life is just going to continue to just get better and better. In my forties, I will see all of my children graduate high school and college, I could see them get married or welcome their own children, I will see an empty nest, I will continue to grow as a woman, a wife, a mother, a friend. I am putting this out in the world: this is going to be an incredible decade for me.

But with age, comes wisdom – right? I thought it would be fun to put together a list of 40 life lessons that can change your life that I’ve learned and share them with you here (and on my Instagram)!

40 Life Lessons That Can Change Your Life

1. There’s almost nothing that won’t be fixed, beaten or at least improved with a positive attitude.
2. Time is the most valuable thing in the world.
3. Someone else’s opinion of me is none of my business.
4. Sometimes not saying something at all is all you need to say.
5. Oreos taste better frozen, dipped in hot coffee.
6. Never say anything about anyone behind their back that you wouldn’t say to their face.
7. Reading is good for the soul.
8. You’re never too old to learn something new.
9. The more you see of the world, the better; traveling is the best way to learn about life.
10. Pineapples absolutely belong on pizza.
11. Never underestimate the comfort of a soft pair of worn-in jeans.
12. Don’t spend money on things to impress people who don’t actually matter.
13. It is better to have four quarters instead of a hundred pennies.
14. Outsource what doesn’t bring you joy.
15. Time is a thief, especially when it comes to watching your children grow up.
16. Your health should be a top priority in your life – both physical and mental.
17. Social media is fake AF; it’s a highlight reel and very rarely a true insight into who people really are.
18. Influencers are also not real life, and not everyone should be one.
19. If you are married, treat your partner with respect – even when you’re angry with them and talking about them with someone else.
20. Soul mates are not always in the form of a spouse – sometimes they’re a friend or a pet.
21. Raising your voice is easy; keeping calm when you’re upset is real growth.
22. Call your mom, call your dad, call your grandparents.
23. It’s okay to have a different opinion; it’s not okay to be a jerk about it.
24. Vote. Vote every opportunity you have, because it’s really not enough to just vote for president.
25. And actually research who and what you’re voting for – not just whoever media tells you to.
26. If someone shows you their true colors – believe them.
27. You can’t change someone who doesn’t want to; people who want to change will do it with their own free will.
28. Shop small whenever you can – whether that’s going to the local coffee shop instead of a chain, do what you can.
29. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
30. Prayer works.
31. Sure, you might fail, but if you don’t at least start, you can never succeed.
32. Get a will, even if you’re young, not married or don’t have kids.
33. You are not responsible for the consequences other people face for their own actions.
34. You’re also not responsible for the choices other people make.
35. Get a little sunshine every single day, it’s good for the skin and the soul.
36. Sometimes you can either be right or you can be happy – but you can’t always be both.
37. Hot cocoa tastes better with a sprinkle of cinnamon-sugar on top.
38. “No” can be a complete sentence.
39. The real limit you have in life is going the one you put on yourself.
40. Big dreams should scare you; if they don’t, they’re not big enough.