30 y/o wisdom: i've learned that a really good litmus test of how someone will treat you is how they talk about other people in your presence

30 y/o wisdom: i find it comforting to remember, all problems have solutions - some solutions are just trickier than others, but they ARE there.

30 y/o wisdom: preventative maintenance is just as important for your body as it is for your car.

30 y/o wisdom: treat people how you'd like to be treated; simultaneously, teach people how to treat you.

30 y/o wisdom: getting rejected for a job sucks, but 9/10 times it'll lead you to something much better.

30 y/o wisdom: nurture the relationships of those who stand by you through the minutiae.

30 y/o wisdom: no matter how embarrassing a problem is you're having, a million other people have had it. also: keep an eye on your poop.

30 y/o wisdom: my dad used to always tell me it was important to 'To give and not to count the cost; To fight and not to heed the wounds;' (a longer quote). to a certain degree, yes - give from the heart, not for the reward.

30 y/o wisdom: freely tell those you love that you love them. life is fleeting and unexpected - be open with the appreciation you have for others, and how much you value them. there is nothing to lose by doing this.

30 y/o wisdom: grief isn't just for losing a loved one. you'll feel grief when you lose a job, lose a friend, when your life changes unexpectedly. feel it, but remember grief can also make you stronger by teaching you things.

30 y/o wisdom: most insurances are worth it. at the very least, have contents insurance and third-party vehicle insurance.

30 y/o wisdom: if you have any assets, you should also have a will. tell people where the will is kept, and make sure they know how to execute it. if you don't have a will, your assets (at least in NZ) are then handled by the state which isn't great

30 y/o wisdom: 1/3+ cup of white vinegar will get pretty much any smells out of material. add it to your normal products in the washing machine (either front/side loader). it also gets rid of mold smell!

30 y/o wisdom: when you think your problems are too large and overwhelming, try to put it into perspective. i like to think of the stars, of the planets, and how small i am in comparison to that. analyse: what really is the worst thing that can happen? you'll be fine.

30 y/o wisdom: feel free to change your name if you don't like it. it's the most significant thing you own, after all.

30 y/o wisdom: your age is not a marker of your success, or your lack of it, or anything. it's the number of days you've been born and doesn't correlate to things like privilege, opportunity, luck etc. you're just as great debuting at 50 as you are at 20.

30 y/o wisdom: your found family is as important as any blood family.

30 y/o wisdom: don't skimp on buying shoes or coats. start by wearing your bras on the furthest out notches. the inside notches are there for when the elastic of the band slackens so you can tighten it. if it's too lose on the furthest notches, you need a better fit.

30 y/o wisdom: it's easy to hate your body because it's the closest target to your mind. try to remember it's what's keeping you going and what it does every day is pretty damn amazing.

30 y/o wisdom: don't say anything to yourself that you wouldn't say to your best friend.

30 y/o wisdom: carbs aren't 'evil'. sugar isn't 'evil'. just eat balanced. there's way too much demonisation of foods to the point where anything we eat is evil - but it's largely marketing ploys

30 y/o wisdom: apply for things you only meet 2/3-3/4 of the criteria for. employers rarely expect to fill every criteria in a JD

30 y/o wisdom:

30 y/o wisdom: it's okay to not relate to mainstream holidays. you can just make your own holidays that are more for you and your values! (my best friend made a midwinter holiday for nz called 'hyggelit' which is xmas but just with the food, and no gift pressure)

30 y/o wisdom: anger isn't a standalone emotion, it's a symptom of something else: frustration, jealousy, fatigue, sadness, stress etc.

30 y/o wisdom: saying sorry (when appropriate) and admitting mistakes or failure is a strength, not a weakness on your part. people appreciate learning, and no-one is infallible.

30 y/o wisdom: (in appropriate cases) make the effort to get both sides of a story before accepting bare conjecture.