51 Lessons in 51 Years

Today marks a special day for me - my 51st birthday! Last year, as I reached the significant half-century mark, it passed quietly. However, this past year, my 50th year, was remarkable, filled with significant transformations and profound lessons.

To celebrate, I'd like to share 51 insights I've gathered over my 51 years of life. These are reflections on personal growth, how I aspire to live, and the wisdom I've gleaned from my journey on this wonderful Earth.

1. Efficient is just another word for lazy. My goal is to always be efficient (ahem, lazy).
2. Work doesn't have to be hard to have value.
3. I prefer my own company over most other people's (ok, anybody else's company).
4. There is nothing wrong with eating the exact same breakfast every single morning. (I've eaten fruit, granola and yogurt for probably 90% of my breakfasts over the last 20 years, and I look forward to it every single evening when I go to bed.)
5. There is absolutely no excuse to not have at least one fiction book on the go at all times. It will make your life so much better to tuck into a good book everyday. (If you don't think you have time to read then check out how much time you spend on social media.)
6. Local public libraries are worth fighting for.
7. The less stuff I have, the happier I am.
8. My priority in any new city will be to seek out local coffee shops and restaurants.
9. There really is nothing better than that first sip of coffee in the morning.
10. Everything tastes better if you are eating outside.
11. Everything tastes better if you cooked it outside.
12. A road trip, or even a drive in the country, will fix almost anything.
13. Live music is a more spiritual experience than anything I will ever experience in a church.
14. The symphony brings me to tears every time I go. And sometimes I fall asleep while I'm there. And I have no shame either way.
15. Trees are the best beings on the planet.
16. Family means absolutely everything and it can mean nothing. It all depends on the person and how they treat you.
17. The world would be a better place if women ran it.
18. We are more alike than we are different, even when our differences feel so massive.
19. There is nothing better than discovering something new to experience - a new restaurant, a new neighbourhood, a new trail, a new city, a new highway.
20. Even though I'm a massive introvert, there is nothing better than experiencing something beautiful with 1000's and 1000's of people.
21. As an introvert I do fine in crowded spaces like music festivals, busy downtown coffee shops, packed parks, etc. When there are loads of people around, no one notices me or needs any of my energy.
22. I hate that things are named after people that have done 'great things' like sat on a board, or have donated huge sums of money. What about the single mom that has two jobs plus volunteers at her kids school whenever she gets the chance? Why is nothing named after her? She's worked harder than the old white dude that had a meal ready for him every evening, a spotless house to live in, and had his kids raised by his wife or a nanny.
23. Collaboration over competition, always.
24. There's more than enough business for everyone.
25. It's allowed to be easy. Whatever it is; it's ok if it's easy.
26. I like dogs better than people.
27. It's ok to change your mind.
28. Bending over backwards to make people like you does not make people like you.
29. It's ok to receive just as much as it's ok to give.
30. No. It's a complete sentence.
31. Cemeteries are some of my favourite places. Not because I'm into creepy things, but because it's a trip through the real history of an area, not just the patriarchal highlights.
32. A whole world can be found within a wildflower.
33. Getting it perfect is the opposite of getting it done.
34. Those big milestone birthdays that we're supposed to be scared of? They mean nothing.
35. I no longer need to be the peace keeper.
36. I refuse to work on weekends. Life is too short.
37. I refuse to have notifications turned on on my phone and computer, my ability to stay focussed is too fragile. And nothing is so important that it can't wait a few hours. (Except my kids, my husband and my dad - they're the exception. Their notifications come through.)
38. I will never stop taking photos of sunsets and sunrises.
39. And I will not apologize for having a camera roll full of trees, sunsets, my dog and failed selfies.
40. I knit so I don't kill people.
41. I hate Wal-mart but enjoy Starbucks. I'm a snob when it comes to shopping local, but not that much of a snob.
42. I'm a huge advocate for shopping local but have a global business.
43. I love being part of GenX.
44. I love being an introvert. I've had people say to me 'it's ok, you hide it well'; and I'm like, hide it? I'm not hiding it! Why the hell would I need to hide the fact that I'm an introvert?
45. I've given some people in my life way too many chances (those people are now out of my life).
46. There's nothing better than watching your kiddos grow and thrive.
47. Making new friends in the middle third of your life isn't that hard. Other women are also looking for new friends; we're both open to possibilities and not wasting any time. You love dog walks, evermore & folklore, and sending Schitt's Creek memes? Let's be friends.
48. Travelling solo is the best.
49. I love sleep and am in bed by 9pm pretty much every evening. I also love being awake by 6am every morning, even on weekends.
50. I write at least 3 things that I am grateful for everyday. It's always three new things plus Olive (my dog).
51. I always swore I'd never get rid of a book. And I just got rid of 5 bookshelves worth of books. There are always more books to discover (and libraries to get them from!). The books I refused to give up are my plant guides and bird books. They are my nature bibles.

Now, I'm sure some of these made you nod. And some made you think 'WTF Deidra?' And still some might need a little bit of time to simmer, as you determine whether you agree (or maybe you just don't care either way!). 

How about you? Any life lessons you'd love to share? I would love to hear them! Send a message to [email protected]  and let me know!