Yesterday was the last day of my 33’s. Today I am moving into my 34th rotation around the sun, so in honor of staying alive, I am going to make a list of 33 things that I have learned in these years.

1. I can wear the same few outfits over and over, and nobody will notice.
2. My jokes are not for everybody, but one genuine laugh makes it all worth it.
3. There is almost no conundrum that a glass of wine and few good friends won’t solve.
4. How to make the perfect spaghetti sauce.
5. It’s quality, not quantity (food, clothes,friends, etc.) that matters most.
6. Having a community is essential for happiness (whatever that community looks like).
7. Being kind to others goes a long way.
8. Facebook is useful sometimes, but mostly it’s a void to waste time.
9. Nobody is going to give me what I want-I have to create it, work for it, believe in it myself.
10. How to break up gracefully.
11. Nobody is going to throw me a surprise birthday party, but hell, with my terrible memory, I might surprise myself.
12. I can’t get in shape by eating all the things and watching Netflix (dang).
13. I get out of every situation exactly what I put into it.
14. It takes much longer to recover from a lack of sleep and a hangover than it used to.
15. You can’t trust a food that makes you cry (onions…ahem).
16. It really is important to drink water.
17. The best exercise is the one I’ll do.
18. Forgiveness (of myself and others) is the ultimate gift to me.
19. Asking questions is the best way to learn.
20. I can’t save money by buying things.
21. I only need to wash my hair twice a week, but I really must wash myself more often than that.
22. Bidets are the best invention ever.
23. I will never be the kind of lady that can wear stilettos (or most heels).
24. I also can’t keep white clothes white and as much as I try to veer from it, black is my dressing color of choice.
25. I have a rebellious streak that I need to get out from time to time.
26. “One shot” is the gateway shot.
27. Things won’t fill my life with happiness, but people will.
28. Flossing every day is super great for your teeth!
29. Bike rides are fun for kids and adults alike!
30. Life never looks the way I think it should, but often, it’s better.
31. Shifting my perspective is often the easiest way to figure out a better solution.
32. Manners are hard to come by these days, but it sure makes the world a nicer place.
33. I have had tremendous adventures and have amazing friends, so I think I’m pretty lucky in love.

And one urging to myself for the next year: Great adventures often happen outside of your comfort space, so get out there and be in the world.