36 Things I’ve Learned at 36
Day 19 - From Girlhood to Womanhood and All I've Learned In Between
As I navigate the journey from girlhood to womanhood, I’ve discovered that this transition is not merely about age; it’s a profound evolution of self. Each year has gifted me invaluable lessons that have shaped my identity, challenged societal expectations, and empowered me to embrace my authentic self. I started this list on my 36th birthday, earlier this year. By sharing these insights, I hope to inspire you to reflect on your journey and redefine what success and fulfilment look like for you.
I can either please everyone else or choose to please myself.
My nervous system is my responsibility.
Life gets to be easy; I complicate it when I denying parts of myself.
There’s no badge of honour for choosing to struggling.
When I compare myself or feel triggered by another woman, it's a chance to ask, "What am I not giving myself?"
Clarifying my values and working from a values-based system is essential.
It is my job to reframe the thoughts my inner critic likes to try and make me believe.
Friendships/relationships can change when I implement boundaries. It hurts at first, but it makes space for people who are more aligned.
Societal timelines are designed to make us feel "less than." I either get to let me dictate how I feel about myself or I can ignore them and stay in my own lane.
Communication in relationships is key. I make time to connect with my partner, aligning with our values, vision, and future.
My wants and needs are just as important as others’, and it’s up to me to express them.
Asking for help was hard at first, but it gets easier.
The most spiritual people I know are those who say "hi" to their neighbours, pick up rubbish, thank their barista, and choose kindness, despite their circumstances.
When someone is defensive, it's often because they feel attacked. I choose compassion over being right.
I won’t get my point across if the other person is defensive. I give them space.
Much of what we think without facts is just our minds creating stories. I ask, "Is this reality, or is this what I making this mean?"
Slow mornings are the most beautiful, where I can ground myself into the day.
I learn so much from just "being"; staying busy is often a distraction from my own truth.
I deserve to take up space.
Setting realistic expectations sets me up for success.
Replacing "should" with "could" invites curiosity rather than an authoritarian tone.
I don’t waste time worrying about what others might think of me—it’s their business, not mine.
Being the "good girl" means keeping myself contained. It’s OK not to be "good" as long as I am being true to myself.
In a world that still wants women to pretend, the best thing I can be is honest.
It’s my job to fill my own cup so that I’m not operating from an empty one.
Purpose isn’t some grandiose thing to achieve outside of myself. It’s how I choose to live every day. By living purposefully, I find purpose everywhere.
When I stopped seeking validation outside myself and found it within, life became much more enjoyable.
A safe love is the most delicious love.
Being in a partnership where someone wants to see me succeed has changed my life.
There’s nothing more beautiful than seeing a woman in her power.
Friends who love me through my many phases and hold me to my own standards are priceless.
The "boss babe" mentality isn’t for me—I’ve always preferred a slow, regulated nervous system.
As a woman, it’s important to understand what I love and what brings me joy.
My worth isn’t in what I can be for others—it’s in who I choose to be for myself.
I’m not too old to start a family.
I get to define what success means to me.
With love,
Millee x
