Hindsight is 20/20.  At some point we have all made mistakes, however, as long as we learned from those mistakes and lived to tell the tale, then I’d say, it’s just a part of life. When I turned 33 last year, I was super excited. Like seriously crazy excited to be celebrating my Jesus Year. Now that I am about to turn 34 in just a few short days, I have reflected and realize, if I had to do it all over again, there are a few things that I wish I could have been better prepared for.

Pick a better major or don’t. Hard work and ambition can get you the world. Without that work ethic, a degree in any field is just something on your resume. Hard work and dedication to your passions is really what gets you places.

Take care of your skin! WATER, WATER, WATER! oh, and MOISTURIZE! In my 20’s I didn’t take care of myself like I should have. Although it’s never too late to change bad habits, I wish I had started much earlier.

Overtop the really isn’t necessary. Honestly, this goes without saying. I’m the first to admit I have a tendency to be extra. Whether it was clothing, hair, shoes, accessories (did I really need those $1200 Chanel sunglasses that my now 13-year-old daughter struts around the house in?), I was always over the top in everything I did. Some days its cool to go the extra mile, but I am realizing how many years of comfort I missed out on while trying to be “cute” everywhere I went.

Family is important. Of course when you are in your 20’s you want to have as much fun as possible. Normally, that fun doesn’t include hanging out with your family. The older I have gotten the more I realize how important it is that I spend more time with my family. Losing several family members from cancer over the last eight years has given me a new perspective on things. I cherish the moments with each of them more than ever, especially my grandparents! If I could do it all over, I would have traded a lot of those fun friend moments, and invested more time with my family.

Floss. Your dentist knows what’s up.

Set goals!  This goes without saying. I have always been very goal oriented, however, I wish that I would have followed through on a lot more of them.

Try new things.  I was 26 when I met my husband, and he was the one who encouraged me to step out and try new things. Our third date he had me eating squid! Granted I have never done it since that day, but it felt wonderful to embrace the unfamiliar.

Choose your friends wisely. One of my favorite quotes is “You will only be as good as the people you surround yourself with.” Surround yourself with good people who reciprocate your friendship. Nobody likes a one-sided friendship.

Keep a journal.  There are so many wonderful things that I have gotten to experience and so many great stories that I have to tell and that I want my kids to know about our family. A journal is a wonderful way to keep those memories alive and pass them down to the next generation.

Know Money, No Problems;  This is another one that should go without saving. I would have started saving for the moment that I first got my job in high school. There were so many frivolous purchases that I made (hello $1200 Chanel glasses again), that honestly were not worth it. The meals, and everything else, I would have realized how much better cooking at home truly is.

Be good to others. While I have always tried to be good to others, there will always be moments when I wished I could have done more. Right now it’s my priority to make sure I do everything possible to give back and help others.

Natasha Brown

Love of impromptu dance parties, 80’s cartoons, and horizontal life pauses (aka naps); Natasha Brown is a stay at home mom of 4 kids, and wife to one lucky guy! In her spare time, she is co-editor of Grits & Grace, as well as editor for The Mother Hustler Blog and Creative Director for the Mother Hustler podcast.

www.themotherhustlerblog.com