Life Lessons to Learn Before 30

Every person goes through many ups and downs throughout their twenties. From trying to decide which career path to take, to forming important, lasting relationships with friends and partners, there is a lot to learn. I’m not quite at that 30 milestone yet, but I’m getting closer each day. And as I do, I more frequently find myself reflecting on how different my life is today versus the day I turned twenty. It’s a little hard to believe!

It's amazing how much one can learn in 10 years.
Image: Shutterstock

Here are some important lessons that every twenty-something should consider as they enter adulthood:

1. If you work hard enough and don’t stop until you meet your goals, you will eventually get there—or to a different, just as worthy, place.
2. To have friends you must be a friend first. The friends who stand by your side through the years are priceless.
3. You are never too old to be a kid and jump into a colored ball pit.
4. Surround yourself with people who make you feel good and motivate you to do better and be better. Keep people out of your life who bring you down.
5. Don’t beat yourself up over mistakes or regrets in your life. After all, some of those “mistakes” could lead to something even better down the road. I try to approach everything with a “no regrets” mindset—I quite literally ask myself “Will I regret it if I do/don’t do this?” Just the simple act of asking gives me so much more clarity when making decisions.
6. Be independent and do not rely on someone else to make you happy. You will eventually have a much stronger and healthier relationship with your significant other if you highly value your own wellbeing and happiness.
7. Create the actual life that you want to have. Stop telling yourself you can’t, and stop settling for less than what you know you could achieve, especially if you know it would lead you to a happier and more satisfied life.
8. Step outside of your own comfort zone and go after something you want.
9. If you don’t like something about your life, it is your own responsibility to change it.
10. Be grateful for what you have in life. Even on the worst days, there is something to be grateful for. Make it a practice to write down one positive thing that happened, no matter how small, each day.
11. If you do not have enough cash to pay for it, you cannot afford it. Put the credit card down.
12. Pay your bills on time, change your oil regularly, file your taxes on time, and be sure to floss. Sometimes, acting like a grownup is so worth it.
13. Be quick to forgive. Don’t hold grudges.
14. Everyone has a story that makes up who they are. Respect differences, because you can learn something new from everyone you meet.
15. Admit when you’re wrong and take full accountability for your mistakes.

Did I forget anything important? What else might you add to this list of life lessons learned before 30?

How to Get Rid of that Dry Scalp This Winter

As we continue through the cold months, most if not all of us experience our scalps and hair being zapped and ravaged by the harsh weather. Winter can cause a dry scalp but luckily there are some things you can do at home to counteract the problem:

There are many ways to get rid of that dry winter scalp.
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• Massage your scalp before washing your hair. If you do this with a boar bristle brush before washing, you will remove buildup of oil, hair products and skin cells. The bristles will lift away dirt and distribute your natural oils. Another thing you can do is purchase a hair mask, and apply to your head under a shower cap. Leave the mask on for 45 minutes for a deep moisture soak.

• Try better shampoo. Experiment with different shampoos and find what works for you. Personally, I like moisturizing or detox shampoos like Moroccan Oil “Hydrate.” If your condition continues to worsen, medicated shampoos are also an option.

• Try applying Hand Salve along your hairline. Take Burt’s Bees Hand Salve and use the botanical oils and beeswax in this product to alleviate flare-ups along your hairline.

• Eat more fatty acids. Try and incorporate more things like walnuts and salmon into your diet, and minimize coffee and alcohol to get rid of that dry scalp. Eating kelp, which is high in iodine, can also help support hair growth and scalp healing.

• Definitely commit to drinking more water. Keeping yourself hydrated will be the complete savior of your skin, especially your scalp. Adding that internal hydration will balance out your scalp issues and is effective and inexpensive. Many of us forget to properly hydrate during the winter months, but drinking enough water on a daily basis should be a top priority in your health regimen.