36 Lessons in 36 Years

This post is inspired by Lanice de Wet (check out her blog Lenny Love Story. She asked her Facebook people to share lessons from 2014. Inspired by that, I decided to do something similar. Since I am part of the nearly 40 club [OMG!] I thought I'd share the lessons I've learnt in my 36 years on earth (as opposed to what? Mars?).

Here goes nothing!

1. Listen without interrupting. Listen without already formulating your response. Just listen. Really listen. It took my boss a few years to get that into my head.

2. When someone shares a story, don’t relate a similar story immediately thereafter. Allow that person their moment to shine

3. Don’t make other people’s bad planning your emergency (another lesson from that boss who makes me mad. He is very wise)

4. Never be too busy to call your mom. I just called mine after typing that sentence.

5. Death sucks. Losing a family member or friend is the most devastating thing you could ever experience. The emotions ebb and flow. Some days it will tear you down and others it will bring the biggest smile to your face. Embrace the feelings and remember that memories are forever.

6. Friendship is a fundamental part of life. Sometimes friends will move on. It’s not always personal. Learn that everything is not about YOU. Sometimes people move on with their lives and it has nothing to do with you. It’s just life. Go with it. Also remember that friendship is like a plant. If you don't nurture it, it will die. Also think of your friends as plants in your garden. Some are trees, there forever. Some are flowers that bloom in season. You get the idea.

7. People will disappoint you. Forgive them. You will disappoint others. Forgive yourself and remember that everything is a lesson and an opportunity to grow.

8. Be grateful. There is always someone worse off than you. Make the most of what you have. Without gratitude there can’t be happiness. Don’t be the person that finds pleasure in other’s misfortune.

9. Never stop dating your partner.

10. When work gets too much, take a few minutes and make a list of everything you need to do. You will feel more focused and everything won’t seem as overwhelming. Also those little ticks afterwards will make you feel like you’ve achieved something.

11. Everything happens for a reason. Sometimes the silver lining is visible immediately and at other times it only makes sense later.

12. Don’t overthink things. You will drive yourself crazy.

13. The only person you have control over is yourself. If you don’t like something; change your approach.

14. Tell people how you feel about them. Good or bad. Straight talk breaks no friendship. If it does then they could not have been your friend to start with. Passive aggressive behaviour is never the answer.

15. Don’t compare yourself to others. That’s a game you will never win. There will always be someone smarter, more educated, thinner, whatever than you. Don’t play that game.

16. Social Media is NOT the place to air your dirty laundry. If this baffles you, read this

17. A lesson I am still trying to learn… the only way to accept a compliment is by using these two simple words, “Thank You”.

​18. What goes around comes around. Karma is real. Don’t fck with it.

19. Energy is palpable. You know how some people put you in a good mood just by being around them and others just drain the life out of you? Energy is real.

​20. I read somewhere that you are the average of the 5 people you surround yourself with. Surround yourself with positive people. People who bring the best out in you and that motivate you (and themselves) to always strive for more. People like drama. Don’t play into their hands. Always save face. Never let people see you sweat. Remove toxic people from your life. Let them go with love and light, but move on. Don’t let them affect your energy.

21. Be happy. Think about things that make you happy, especially on bad days. Make a list. Be genuinely happy for other people.

22. Drink water and try to get some sunshine into your day.

23. Be nice to strangers. Smile.

24. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Life is short. It really is.

25. People don’t always appreciate your honesty. It’s okay. You can’t win them all.

26. Don’t put things off until tomorrow. “I want to study further, but”, “I want to dress well, but” JUST DO IT. Tomorrow may never come.

27. Dogs are awesome. They love you no matter what and they’re always happy to see you. There is no greater joy.

28. Coke Zero is awesome. Once you start drinking it you’ll find other drinks far too sugary. It’s a win.

29. Your job does not define your worth. Your character determines your worth.

30. If people can’t accept you for who you are, then they aren’t worth your time.

31. You can’t avoid grey hair and wrinkles. They happen. Luckily you can colour your hair and wrinkles add character, so I hear.

32. Don’t hold onto grudges. They drag you down and keep you stuck in the past. Don’t. like the song in frozen – LET IT GO!!

33. Don’t have a preconceived idea about people or things. Give everyone/everything a fair chance.

34. Buy a good mattress, good sheets and great bedding. Sleep is a priceless commodity. Do it well.

35. Trust your intuition. That gut instinct will never fail you. Ever. Trust it.

36. Having a sense of humour is a great thing. Finding someone that appreciates yours is even better. It helps you get through bad days and it helps to not take yourself too seriously cos ain't nobody got time for that!

What do you call a werewolf from Cape Town?

Awê wolf!

If you didn't burst out laughing we can't be friends!!

I was checking Mr P's blog out earlier and saw that Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson)is on the cover of Elle... Decided to read the interview and "slaan my dood met a veer", she too had lessons to share.

Go Fat Amy looking all Fierce!

Five lessons learned from Rebel Wilson:

She admits she’s not funny all the time…

“Most people who know me know I’m not switched on all the time. I don’t like to be like that in real life, because it’s draining. If I’m how I am as Fat Amy all fucking day… I can be sometimes, but I’d be a psycho if I was like that 24/7. You gotta chill out and just be normal for a bit, I say.”

All her friends are legit famous – actors, singers and pop stars…

“I have a lot of celebrity friends. But they’re all Hollywood friends. You can’t call them if you fall over and break your leg, but if you’re having a BBQ and wanna chitchat, you hang out with them, or you go to their house.”

She prefers to wear flats…

“I can’t wear high heels. I suck at wearing high heels.”

She learned her best model moves from Tyra Banks

“I never thought I’d be the type of girl who’d be doing, like, fashion shoots. I used to watch some of the reality shows about models and then, weirdly, now I try to incorporate into my fashion shoots the skills I learnt from watching those shows. It’s like thanks Tyra, cause you’ve given me like all the cool tips. Like how to smile with your eyes.” Handy!

Her favourite thing to wear off-duty is cartoon tees…

“In my real life I tend to wear T-shirts with cartoon characters on them. I love T-shirts!”

On set, she nails it every time…

“I hate people who do a lot of takes. I like to nail it and then go home. I like to crush it in, like, two takes.”

The last lesson learnt is that I talk too much and veer off track too often, but you already knew that... so we're good.

That's it!

xxx