What I've learnt in my 28th year!

Today is my 29th birthday so I thought I would do a post about the knowledge I've gained over the last year. 

1. You only attract what you put out.

This was the year I found myself and became confidence in my own ability and skills. This was important in two areas of my life, my work life and my love life. I have looking at changing jobs for years but wasn't having much luck until people highlighted that I wasn't putting my achievements in my applications mainly as I didn't always feel I was qualified. I changed my attitude and started getting interviews and walking in feeling that I was perfect for the job and eventually the right job came along for me and it's perfect for me. I also 

2. Being respected is the most important feeling.

In any part of my life, respect is important and I have stopped being involved with people who don't respect me or my opinions. If someone doesn't take time to see you or reply to your messages, they aren't respecting you enough to share their time with you. Spend time with people who respect you, want to spend time with you and put a smile on your face as anything else is a disservice to yourself. 

3. Stress reacts in the body in many different ways. 

My IBS is a major part of my life, it effects all that I eat and when I get a flair up everything falls apart. Before Christmas stress was effecting my body and I had the worst stomach flair up I've every had. I had stomach cramps for weeks making it impossible to eat any food, the feeling of nausea and acid reflex that had me convinced that I was pregnant (but wasn't!) The thing that confused me was I couldn't understand why my body could feel so bad from something like stress, that it would have such a major effect on my life that I had to take time off and didn't feel myself. What I learnt is to listen to my body and when it starts to show signs of not being right, do sometjinh! Mainly, I need to take it easier and find ways to manage it myself before it gets unbearable.

4. I need to see more of the UK (and running is a great way to do it)

I have explored very little of the UK in my life so far, I grew up south of London went to uni in Brighton and apart from visiting Grandparents on the south coast the rest of the UK have been left unexplored. In the last year I have visited parts of Norfolk, Cambridge and about to visit York. Thats a big step outside my comfort zone and I've been to beautiful places and had fun. I have plans to visit Edinburgh (for my marathon) and an event in suffolk to get me exploring. If anyone has any 'must complete' events for me please let me know.

5. I need to be better with money. 

For a while now I have been saving for the future and saving a bit here and there. I have been lucky living with my parents for the last couple of years and not had to worry about money too much. If I want a new dress or spent too much on a night out then I could and it had no effect on my daily life. But now I live with my partner, I have rent and bills and although I know I can budget its not automatic yet. This sounds like something that I have in place before turning 29 but I think most females in their late 20s would admit that they could be better with money as well.

Do you reflect as you get older? Do you feel that you've learnt a lot in the last year?