If I had to live my life over.

I would have slowed down more and not been in such a rush.

I would have captured little moments in my mind instead of quickly rummaging for my phone to take a photo.

I would have bought the dress that made me feel amazing instead of worrying that it was too expensive.

I would have not spent my 20’s trying not to make mistakes and instead make more mistakes because it meant I was growing.

I would have been ok with a plan not working out instead of feeling like, because I had had the idea, I had to make it work.

I would have lived more in real life and less in my head with my imaginary problems.

I would have worked more consistently when it was time to work instead of allowing it to eat at me during the time I was meant to be resting.

I would have bought more flowers, for myself and my sister, my mother and my grandmother without wincing at the cost.

I would have spoken to loved ones that aren’t here anymore about more – but I didn’t because I thought they would always be here.

I would have spent a lot more time working on my outside as I did on my inside and not used lack of time as an excuse.

I would have prioritized sleep so that I would not now have to look at myself and wonder how I let myself get so tired.

I would have put my phone down- and read to learn… or to laugh.

I would have let go of friendships that didn’t work anymore and done so with love, instead of hang on so long that the friendship became ugly.

I would have worked harder for the things I wanted even though people told me I was too old.

I would have listened when people told me to put a little money away and not always say that I didn’t have enough.

I would have found joy in things that, as a child felt like a chore, if I had only known that feeling would carry over into adulthood.

I would have written more poetry, tried to learn another language, and not worried so much about how I looked when I danced.

I would have spent more time developing my own sense of style and learned to love dressing up instead of taking so many unwanted items from others that would have me drowning in things I didn’t love.

I would have asked for help in learning about money instead of growing to fear it.

There are a lot of things I would have done.

But my life is not over, not even close (touch wood). I am not at the end of my life, I am about to turn 30 (oh gees I said it).

There is a small blessing in being able to reflect when you are young because it gives you the chance to change your story from I would have, to….

I did.