25 things I’ve learned in 25 Years

OK, call me Buzzfeed, but I’ve been learning a lot of little lessons – or else noticing a lot of practical things that, while small, simple, or even obvious, are also helpful and contributing to my life…

So, without further ado – here is my Buzzfeed-esque list:

1)      Stop Texting.  In excess.

2)      Stop biting your nails.  And groom your cuticles.

3)      Always say “yes” to salad.

4)      Exercise Daily.  Just go for a walk.

5)      Don’t stalk him or her on Facebook.  It hurts you and the friends who hear about it more than the surveillance is worth.

6)      Take time to do your laundry.  It’s worth it to separate colors into lights and darks.

7)      Do things by yourself.  Often.  Like go to the movies.  It’s not weird.  Unless you’re the only single adult at Monsters University.

8)      Change your perspective.  You might be too close to it.  Take a step back.

9)      “Do your best and forget the rest.” Tony Horton.  Do what you can with what you have.  Then let it go.

10)  Don’t compare yourself to other people.  This only hurts you and your relationship to them.

11)  Don’t be afraid to change.  Your job, your residence, your bedspread.  Change fosters creativity.

12)  Sing in the car.  Loudly.  It’s good to look and feel a little stupid.  Or like a rock star.  Your choice.

13)  Breathe.  And release your jaw.  Are you holding your breath right now?  …Seriously, are you?

14)  Watch the news.  The world isn’t about you or who you’re no longer dating.

15)  Use moisturizer.  Everyday.

16)  Floss more.  And always wear your retainer – did you suffer braces for nothing?!

17)  Don’t be mean to yourself.

18)  Trust what you don’t know.  The best things come from things we can’t plan or predict.

19)  Get some sleep.  Caffeine will only take you so far.  Know how and when to recharge.

20)  Stop living your life for/through social media.  Get a coffee with a friend and tell them the story face-to-face, don’t just refer to what you posted.  That’s sad.

21)  Do things guilt free.  When you splurge on those boots, go for it and don’t look back.

22)  But… Save money.  Even if it’s just a little.  You’ll need it for an emergency.

23)  Try everything.  Especially if you don’t think you’ll like it.  Like cheese and caramel popcorn – together.  Yes – it works.

24)  Go everywhere you can.  Even if you went there before.  Places change and people, too.  It might be completely different from what you remember.

25)  Choose hope when things look bad, seem stalled, or are painful.  It always, always works out.

Jana Stambaugh

Jana (it rhymes with “banana” or “anna”) is an artist from Clarksville, Maryland. Growing up her parents always told her to “be whatever you want to be.” Seeing as she has come from three generations of doctors, she obviously became an artist. As an actor, she has performed internationally Off-Broadway, and locally to the Baltimore/DC area. Favorite roles include Juliet, Ariel, and Caliban. Jana is the Founder of Red Connect Online, a social media marketing company that creates customized advertising campaigns for small businesses. You can listen to her podcast, Confessions of a Closet Christian, on the E-Squared Media Network. You can also follow her on Twitter (@Jana_Stambaugh) and friend her on Facebook.