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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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MEET JENICA

Your affordable fashion guide and simplified lifestyle bestie since 2014! Mama to IVF twins and IVF baby boy. Infertility coach and podcaster at Fearless Infertility. So glad you're here!

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If you’re still in the “scared,” I get it. I If you’re still in the “scared,” I get it. I’ve been paralyzed with not knowing what to do before. Wanting to be safe and also wanting to grow. Wondering if you really are that strong, and wanting to know beforehand what the outcome will be.

You’re not alone. 🤍

#infertilitysisters #ivfjourney #ivfsuccess #ivfcommunity #infertilitycommunity #ttccommunity
I could never keep my jewelry organized until I fo I could never keep my jewelry organized until I found this affordable hanging jewelry solution! 💎

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🍨 Chilling in dessert paradise with this Ice Cr 🍨 Chilling in dessert paradise with this Ice Cream Pie delight! It was SO EASY to make and you can customize it extremely easily! Save this recipe for your next special occasion! 🥧🤤

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Somewhere along our way, we picked up the belief t Somewhere along our way, we picked up the belief that questions weren’t okay. Maybe it’s because we had an experience that made us feel dumb - we asked a question and we got made fun of. We then picked up the belief that we’re already supposed to know it all, and that when we question, it means we are inadequate. That questioning is unsafe.

Kids ask questions constantly, so they learn constantly. They haven’t yet taken on the belief that they need to know more than they do right now. Because how could they possibly? It makes sense. They’re curious and ask all of the questions in all of the ways.

Let’s do that.

Let’s ask the questions. In every way. From all the angles. And then focus on where we are turning for the answers because WHERE we are turning matters. I think God will guide us if we ask Him. He knows how to speak to us in ways that we will hear, but only if we turn to Him.

He’s got us.

Questions are EVERYTHING and I want to live to my last day with a million questions that I expect answers to in His way. He’ll show up for me. And I’ll know He’ll show up for you, too. 🤍 #parcellsundayselfie 6/4/23 #sundaybest #christianposts
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This is your friendly reminder to look to see what This is your friendly reminder to look to see what concerts are coming to your town this summer and get tickets! 🎟️ I forget and then am so sad when I find out on the day OF that I didn’t even know some of my fav artists came to perform close to me! 🤍😜😭

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After buying oranges to eat yesterday and getting After buying oranges to eat yesterday and getting him dressed today in this outfit I couldn’t NOT take this photo! 🍊🤣

This baby boy is truly pure sunshine!! After all it took to get him here 🤢 #ivf I’m just even more grateful that he is such a delightful human. Your family loves you, precious boy!!! #7monthsold #ivfsuccess
Tyler asked Harris while preparing for his primary Tyler asked Harris while preparing for his primary talk to speak in church what his favorite part of church was, and he answered honestly:

“The treat at the end.”

I laughed and laughed, and I also realized that this truth spoken from his mouth was spot on.

I pray, and I write and I listen and I study because in those moments is when I can hear Him.

I see Him in truth everywhere. He is in all things. His lessons are gently whispering in the textures, the smells, and the relationships I give my energy to.

I put forth effort by my small acts of showing up and telling Him I’m listening and His spirit is the “treat at the end.” And during. And before - even when I sometimes don’t notice it quite yet.

🤍🤍🤍 Happy Sabbath my beautiful friends!!! His knows you by name. He sees you and hears you and ADORES what He created - you. 🤍 #parcellsundayselfie 5/21/23 #sundaybest
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