Age is getting to know all the ways the world turns, so that if you cannot turn the world the way you want, you can at least get out of the way so you won’t get run over.

~ Miriam Makeba.

I put together a list of 34 things that I know to be true. If you read the preceding quote, it’s probably a list of realizations that have helped me not get run over. Putting it together, however, was a lot harder than I’d thought it would be. I started with a brain dump. Listing down everything that came to mind in no particular order. I ended up with things like; Never travel without sunscreen, because black may not crack but it will burn. Other nuggets like never trust the first price you see for something online. Then from believing I had nothing for the list to what looked like I was competing with Oprah for her What I Know For Sure segment! But there is power in editing and rewrites. So here we go;

1. Eating vegetables will always be the right decision. It doesn’t matter if you do Meatless Mondays, or are straight up vegetarian, every meal with a veg pays off. Keep at it long enough, and it will start showing in your skin and physique.
2. Tofu can be delicious. Yes, I said it. Like many things, you just have to know what you are doing and you can transform that slab of bean curd to just about anything.
3. You can get over most things given time and space to heal.
4. Don’t date anyone you want to fix, save, or pity. It’s a disservice to you both.
5. Don’t be a victim. Be the hero of your story. Don’t wait for rescue. If you need help, ask for it. Just don’t sit around helpless.
6. You are the villain in someone else’s story. There’s always two sides to it, and no one is ever blameless.
7. We are more hurt by our own expectations of other people than by their actual actions.
8. Use the good china. You have a mug you absolutely adore, shoes you’re saving for a special date, perfume you wear only on anniversaries? Use it! Wear them! You deserve to enjoy what you love every single day.
9. Buy yourself flowers. It brightens up your space and your heart. I absolutely adore the Ksh.199/- carnations at Carrefour that last a fortnight.
10. Everyone knows everyone. We don’t live in a village – it’s an apartment block with nosy neighbors. Act accordingly.
11. Sleep for as long as you need to feel refreshed. For me that means 9 hours +. Anything less and I have a foggy brain by mid-afternoon.
12. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of the good. Practise being okay with first completing a project/task without obsessing over details that can be fine-tuned later. I’m with Sheryl Sandberg, done is better than perfect.
13. Have a handful of go-to recipes that never fail to impress. That’s dora wot chicken, carrot cake and cauliflower curry in my case. Not to be eaten all at once.
14. Always have a snack in your desk drawer. Your workmates won’t handle your ‘hanger’ as calmly as your boyfriend does.
15. Invest in books. For the cost of one, you get to explore the world, meet new people, learn different cultures, and live in different times. Find the genre that grips you and keep them coming.
16. Comparison is the thief of joy. There will always be someone cleverer, prettier, trimmer, taller, wittier. Be okay being your truest, weirdest self. That’s your unique selling preposition!
17. Leave that WhatsApp group that’s giving you anxiety. You don’t need to be in the planning committee for your friend’s cousin’s sister-in-law’s shower.
18. Just pick up the call. The anxiety of what the conversation may be is far worse than the actual conversation.
19. You can’t unring a bell. Learn to live with the consequences of the things you say or do. Constant regret is a heavy bag to lag around.
20. Sometimes it’s just better to shut up and hold your peace. Especially if you consider point number 19.
21. Turn off your phone once in a while. Trust that everything will be fine while you’re offline and that missing a few notifications won’t do any harm.
22. You can go a whole month without makeup and be okay (less time to spend on cleansing) You can also wear makeup every day and feel great (bat those lashes). You decide. Don’t let people or society compel you.
23. We all want to feel valued.
24. You will feel better once it’s marked in your calendar or noted down in your diary. To reinforce this, check out the book, Getting Things Done.
25. Konmari your social media feed. Mute who you have to. Unfollow who you must. Leave only the content that makes you happy. Friends, family, cats, cake, yoga, books & travel spark my joy!
26. Have health insurance. Make sure your loved ones have health insurance.
27. Speak Up! In big and small ways, say what you need to say. Don’t say yes when you mean no. And saying ‘No’ doesn’t make you a bad person.
28. Start. Start over. Start over again. And again. And once more. Start over as many times as it takes. If it’s something you can’t stop thinking about, just keep at it and feel no shame on how many times you have to keep restarting.
29. If you’ve had a falling out with someone you care about, find a way to figure it out! Life it too short even on the longest of days.
30. Audiobooks by authors you enjoy will make the long drives or commutes enjoyable.
31. Pick your struggle. This gem is from a friend of mine. No one is perfect so you have to just pick your favorite imperfect human and make it work.
32. Offer to split the bill on your dates.
33. You can’t care about everything. Trying to can lead to compassion fatigue. Focus on what you are passionate about and spare some care for yourself too.
34. People are not mind readers. Tell them what you need.

Since you’re not psychic, I’ll just tell you it’s time for me to turn in now. Those 9+ hours of sleep are calling. I am okay with this article as it is, so I’ll be scheduling it for publishing in the morning. Cheers to another year on this beautiful planet and a chance to add onto the list!