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30 Things I’ve Learned in 30 Years

Personal

17 Mar

Scary! I was on the “Panteras” dance team in high school ha ha!

Above are few pictures that take a trip down memory lane!

Welp, the day is almost here and my head is spinning. I’m turning 30 this Sunday, March 19th. How am I 30?! I can’t stop thinking about the fact that high school really doesn’t seem like it was was that long ago. And then I think about all that has happened since then, and it’s a lot. But still…do you remember when someone told you they were 30, and you thought that seemed so old? And you really didn’t think that you would ever get there. Now I’m here.

My mom told me that 40 wasn’t hard for her, it was 30 that really made her feel like she was an official adult. When you’re 30, you’re officially old too. I mean, I’m not saying I’m going to order a walker any time soon (maybe next year…), but it’s just a crazy thought!

One good thing about turning 30 is that you have some experience under your belt at this point, and you can use that experience to make your life better. You’ve made some mistakes, you’ve gone through really hard things, and hopefully you’ve taken those experiences and turned them into action on how to act better and be kinder.

30 things I’ve learned in 30 years!

  1. Everyone goes through hard challenges. Everyone. Don’t judge someone’s actions so quickly; they could be going through something that you know nothing about. We are all facing a difficult battle.
  2. I love being a mom more than I ever thought possible. I wasn’t the teenager that dreamed of being a mama. I was actually genuinely concerned that I would never really get that motherly instinct. When it was the right time, though, it came, and those babies bring more joy to my heart than I really even thought was possible.
  3. Running sucks. It’s hard on your joints. I didn’t like it in middle school when my lungs were about to burst in cross country, and I don’t like it now. I love working out, however, and I rarely feel better than I do after a good workout like lifting weights and the elliptical.
  4. Music makes life a lot better. Turn it on and turn it up, and sing and dance. Tyler and I did this before the babies came, and we still do it now.
  5. Marrying the right person is the most important decision of your life. My life is filled with joy and laughter every day because I married Tyler. He always sees the glass half full, and he always focuses on my good characteristics and ignores my fault. We all deserve someone like that.
  6. We are all just trying our best.
  7. It’s important to take care of yourself. I always make sure to do something for me each day so that I feel mentally and physically well to take care of others.
  8. People are more worried about how they are being perceived and how they look than they are about you. No one cares if your hair doesn’t look perfect, or you have 10 extra pounds that you need to lose. No one notices the things that you’re so worried about; they’re too busy focusing on themselves. This is a good thing. Relax!
  9. Don’t take life so seriously. We could be gone tomorrow. Laugh and love and appreciate everything you have, every single day.
  10. Worrying doesn’t help. It hurts. Breathe!
  11. Family is everything. Stay close to your family, and let them know how much you love them. Cultivate good relationships with them.
  12. Never suppress a generous thought. You can really light up other people’s days by acting kindly.
  13. Have FUN!! Have fun when you’re working, have fun when you’re cleaning…life is too short to not have some fun every day.
  14. Sometimes, things do taste better than being skinny feels. Eat the chocolate cake.
  15. Speaking of food, I told my mom when I was little that when I get her age, I will eat candy all day because I’ll be able to make my own decisions. That’s not true. Sorry, 8-year-old Jenica. You’re disappointed, aren’t you?
  16. Being outside is good for your soul. Sunshine on my face can make me feel new again.
  17. Don’t ever speak while you’re really, really angry. You’ll say things you don’t mean and have to clean up the mess afterward. If you hold your tongue, you’ll more often than not realize that what you’re mad about may still be frustrating, but you’ll be glad you didn’t just make things worse.
  18. Don’t compare yourself to others. You’ll never find happiness in doing this. Focus on your blessings and gifts.
  19. Always have something to look forward to, whether that be getting your nails done, going on a fun trip, or even just leaving the house and going to Target by yourself. It makes the hard moments much less difficult.
  20. Focus on your spouse’s needs more than you focus on your own. Take care of them, and if they do the same, you’ll always be taken care of and fee loved.
  21. Be anxiously engaged in a good cause. Look outside of yourself. When I do that, I find that my worries seem to dissipate.
  22. Popcorn is one of God’s greatest gifts to the world.
  23. Speaking of God, having a good relationship with Him will change your life. When I am praying and reading my scriptures regularly, I feel so much more calm and able to enjoy my life as well as handle the challenges that come my way with a better perspective.
  24. Going through hard things only makes you appreciate the good things that much more.
  25. I consider going through infertility one of my greatest gifts because it changed me to become a mother who truly values the gift that motherhood is. Each smile is that much sweeter, each laugh is that much more precious, each day that I spend with Harris and Goldie is a day that I treasure. I remind myself every single day that I was never guaranteed motherhood. This is something I wasn’t promised. This is a gift and a blessing. I let the small things go more easily and don’t get frustrated.
  26. Every person has a story that I can learn from. I really value those people who share theirs because it allows me to learn without having gone through specific challenges myself. It enables me to appreciate all that I have.
  27. Birthday weeks are the best. I think I would be a great Queen.
  28. Jumping out from behind somewhere and scaring people really is fun. Thanks for teaching me that one, Tyler.
  29. When you really get to know someone and learn about their experiences, you have a love for them. Your judgements are turned away and your heart is opened.
  30. Life is short. It truly, really is. I’m going to blink and I’ll be turning 60. Really, really live each day. Breathe in each moment. Don’t wish for days ahead or past. Today is the only day that I’ve been given and I’m going to LIVE.

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Comments

  1. Kym Buckley says

    March 17, 2017 at 7:56 am

    Love this! I ran cross country in HS also and every day at practice it was always a shock that we had to run haha 😉 Now I also prefer elliptical or nice long power walks with incline!

    Reply
    • Jenica Parcell says

      March 19, 2017 at 3:56 pm

      That’s my girl! ha ha couldn’t agree more. Have a good day!

      Reply
  2. Shelly Cunningham says

    March 17, 2017 at 10:44 am

    This was wonderful to read.
    I want to thank you so much for sharing your parenting journey with all of us. You remind me to enjoy this time in the trenches and be grateful for the four little people my husband and I created. (We have twins, too! 8 year old boys, our first babies!)
    I love reading your take on twins, and seeing your “Day in the Life” because it takes me back to when Logan & Jack were babies. It goes so fast!
    Thanks for being so sunny and such an amazing example of God’s love!

    Reply
    • Jenica Parcell says

      March 19, 2017 at 3:57 pm

      Shelly,

      Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful comment; it means so much to me!! It does go by way too fast.

      You are so kind. Thank YOU for being so sunny!

      Reply
  3. Laura says

    March 17, 2017 at 12:06 pm

    I LOVE this post! You are so inspiring and so positive! You radiate kindness and sincerity. Once of the few bloggers out there who seriously is so genuine and real in each and every post! You have such a positive outlook on life and those babies of yours are so lucky to call you mama! 🙂 xo

    Reply
    • Jenica Parcell says

      March 19, 2017 at 3:58 pm

      Laura- your sweet comment made my day!! Thank you SO much!! xoxo

      Reply
  4. Raquel says

    March 17, 2017 at 2:38 pm

    You have a great outlook and are so positive! Thanks for your great example.

    Reply
    • Jenica Parcell says

      March 19, 2017 at 3:54 pm

      Thank you so much!! xo

      Reply
  5. Rachael says

    March 17, 2017 at 10:36 pm

    I loved this! Happy birthday ? Thank you for sharing

    Reply
    • Jenica Parcell says

      March 19, 2017 at 3:54 pm

      Thank you so much!!

      Reply
  6. Rylie Talbot says

    March 19, 2017 at 4:33 pm

    You are so darling! Thank you for being such a great example- always so positive and uplifting! Happy Birthday!!

    Reply
    • Jenica Parcell says

      March 21, 2017 at 11:19 am

      Thank you so much for your kind comment! I really appreciate that, Rylie. Have a wonderful day!

      Reply
  7. Emily says

    March 19, 2017 at 4:54 pm

    Happy birthday! I’ve been a follower for a little while now as my husband and I journey through infertility. (We’ve just finished out third cycle and are praying for a positive pregnancy test in about a week!) I love your positivity- especially numbers 5 & 12! Thanks for sharing 🙂 Emily

    Reply
    • Jenica Parcell says

      March 21, 2017 at 11:18 am

      Emily – thank you so much! I’ll be thinking of you and praying for you. Stay strong, mama!

      Reply
  8. Emily Shonk says

    March 20, 2017 at 7:29 am

    Happy Birthday – thanks for sharing!!

    Reply
    • Jenica Parcell says

      March 21, 2017 at 11:17 am

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  9. Maggie says

    March 20, 2017 at 5:40 pm

    Happy Birhday Jenica!!???? I love your log and positive outlook! Your babies are so precious and I really enjoy watching them grow up. I’m a mom of 13-year-old triplets and it went by so fast. Enjoy every moment! ?

    Reply
    • Jenica Parcell says

      March 21, 2017 at 11:17 am

      Thank you so much, Maggie! I’m going to hold on tight and try not to blink because it does go by so fast!! You’re an amazing. Triplets!! Wow! Thank you 🙂

      Reply

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My name is Jenica and I'm so glad that you're here! I started this blog in 2014 to share the best deals on the nicest things because I believe we all deserve to live the best life on less. Read more...

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jenicaparcell

✨ fashion, home & lifestyle deals
✨ mom to twins + baby on the way!
✨ infertility life coach @fearless.infertility
Links to shop + learn! ❤️👇🏻

Jenica Parcell I Fashion Deals & Infertility Coach
Favorite things I heard this week: Goldie genuinel Favorite things I heard this week:
Goldie genuinely asking Harris: “Who has your heart been waiting for?” asking him about who he thinks is cute at school.
Harris: “I haven’t decided yet.”

Goldie walking into my closet before bed last night: “How is my pretty pretty one?” referring to me 😂 Yes, I will read you another book, Goldie.

What were some things that lit up your week?
Make us smile!

#parcellsundayselfie 6/26/22 #sundaybest
This week I was asked this question: “You believ This week I was asked this question: “You believe IN Jesus Christ…but do you believe Him? Do you believe Him when He says He will heal you?”

This made me pause! Do I? Not often enough. I believe that He lived and He atoned for our sins. But I often worry and fear and forget that He’s already paved the way. I often have anxiety about an unknown future and forget that nothing surprises Him and His way is the way home. We know how this all ends. We have the path! But do we believe Him when He says He will heal us? Actually believe that He says what He promises?

I want my kids to know that I believe in Him AND I believe Him. Grateful grateful grateful for the right questions! #parcellsundayselfie 6/5/22
Motherhood has given me a small glimpse at what Go Motherhood has given me a small glimpse at what God thinks of His children, too. Us. I’ll be looking at my kids in awe of every little detail of perfection. Just staring. Thinking how perfect their eyes are, and their cheeks, and the way they say things. Even though they really aren’t perfect, you know? Except they are.

I think that’s what God sees in us, too. We aren’t perfect and yet He sees us that way.

How our flaws aren’t that big of a deal.

That it’s okay because He encourages us to try again.

We spill, and don’t say things right, and mess up.

But He looks at us the way we look at our kids. I think it’s really cool that someone loves us that much, too ❤️
Happy Sunday, friends! ✨ I love this family of m Happy Sunday, friends! ✨ I love this family of mine. I think the family structure is such a gift. “In family relationships, 'love' is really spelled 't-i-m-e,' time. Taking time for each other is the key for harmony at home.” - Dieter F. Uchtdorf (one of my FAV speakers!)

My kids will be 6 in July and my mom said to me recently, “they’re 1/3 of the way to 18!” 🤯 That just boggles my mind. Time truly does go quickly and that’s a good thing because that reminder allows you soak up the good times AND that reminder allows you to know that hard times will pass. ❤️

I hope you get some good times this weekend, friends! #parcellsundayselfie 5/29/22
Snaps from the weekend with our little family! Gol Snaps from the weekend with our little family! Goldie had her spring recital and one of my favorite parts is that Harris is always so excited to cheer her on. I think that’s one of the best parts about being a family. We’re each other’s people! Through the highs and the lows.

Goldie got back in the car after her dance pictures on Friday and said, “I need snack after all that excitement!”

We hope you had a great weekend! xo #parcellsundayselfie 5/22/22
Slowly making my way through every vending machine Slowly making my way through every vending machine in Utah, selling out the crap you don’t want your kids to eat. “No” isn’t a sound that comes frequently out of my mouth these days when asked by my kids if those gummies are coming home with us. Anyone have change for a $5?

16 weeks tomorrow! Feeling great!! #16weekspregnant #ivfsuccess
Happy Sunday! Tell me the most important things yo Happy Sunday! Tell me the most important things you focus on teaching your kids? 👇🏻

For me, it’s teaching them who they are which is children of God and where to find peace and direction.

The thing I need to work on teaching them more is how to clean up after themselves 😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫 Give me your best tips! Tyler and I have started to say we will give away the items that they don’t clean up. If they aren’t responsible enough to take care of them, they aren’t responsible enough to own them.

Fun times in the Parcell house right now! 😂 #parcellsundayselfie 5/15/22
Some of the best marriage advice we got is to make Some of the best marriage advice we got is to make one on one time for each other to talk about things that aren’t kids related. Of course we talk about them but our weekly date night and occasional trip with just us two is SO important for us! 💕

Now we are back from Cancun! 🌊☀️🏖 Putting together a blog post with all of your questions. What questions do you have about the trip?

✨ WANT THE LINKS FROM THIS PIC?!✨ (it’s all super affordable under $25!)

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