Reflections on Life Lessons Learned by Age 39
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Chapter 1: The Journey Begins
Recently, I celebrated another birthday, and like many, I took the opportunity to reflect on my life’s journey. This year, my thoughts drifted back over the last decade, reminding me of valuable lessons learned along the way.
A couple of weeks ago, during ballet class, I had a little mishap—I took a tumble while attempting an assemblé. My feet slipped, sending me to the floor, but fortunately, my pride took more of a hit than my body. Earlier in that same class, I had been feeling self-conscious about my body not fitting the mold of a traditional ballet dancer. Yet, ironically, it was my curves that softened the fall.
At the end of class, my teacher checked in on me and noted how much I had improved. I was surprised—during the class, I felt clumsy, but she observed my improved foot positioning, better elbow placement, and a more stable relevé. This taught me an important lesson: even on days when you feel you’ve failed, you might be doing better than you realize.
The next week, I tackled the same assemblé sequence without falling! Additionally, I was thrilled to find my pique turns were flowing with ease. Reflecting on my progress since the pandemic’s early days, when I struggled to balance in a pique, I felt a sense of achievement.
My birthday on March 30 marked my transition into the last year of my 30s. This decade has been my favorite, filled with new experiences like competitive ballroom dancing, launching my blog, publishing several books, winning a World Championship title, and relocating to Maine. While it hasn't always been smooth sailing, I’ve learned that the most rewarding experiences often arise when you present your true self.
Chapter 2: Embracing Authenticity
Throughout my younger years, I often felt the need to conform to others' expectations. However, in my 30s, I began to prioritize my own feelings and thoughts over the opinions of others. This shift has been liberating—no longer am I concerned about being judged for my appearance or choices. I ask questions without fear of mockery, and if someone reacts poorly, I simply choose to distance myself from that negativity.
Interestingly, as I embraced my true self, I found that I attracted amazing individuals who appreciate authenticity. If someone with a negative attitude enters my life, they typically don’t linger. Therefore, an additional lesson learned is that the right people will gravitate toward you when you’re true to yourself.
As I prepare my home for new furniture arriving soon, I’ve been busy painting rooms in my house. Despite the physical challenges of tackling board and batten walls, I’m making progress, albeit slowly. Balancing painting with my day job and family obligations has been a test of time management.