Casey: Advice I Would Give My Younger Self on My 30th Birthday


Well, I’m officially exiting my twenties this Sunday. I turn the big 3-0 on April 22nd. Honestly, I’ve accidentally been calling myself 30 for a few months now, so I suppose I’ve already accepted hitting this big milestone.

Celebrating My 30th Birthday

I loved when Bridget shared pieces of advice she would give her younger self back when she turned 30. It was so fun to read all of her wisdom looking back on the last 3 decades.

I thought it would be fun to do the same in honor of my 30th birthday. I pictured 30-year-old me talking to 20-year-old me and imagined what I would tell that young (and oh so naive) girl.

Dress // Sandals // Aviators // Hat // Necklaceย // Watch // Lip Stain

But before we get to my advice, I have to take a few sentences and tell you guys about this new dress. Omg…I’m obsessed with the floral wrap dress trend that is happening! So comfortable and so flattering! Plus, it screams spring to me, comes in a ton of colors, and is only $49!

Pair it with a straw hat, gold aviators, and nude sandals…and I am thirty, flirty, and thriving (movie reference, anyone?!)!!ย 

Dress // Sandals // Aviators // Hat // Necklaceย // Watch // Lip Stain

Okay, enough with the clothes. Let’s get to the wisdom I wish I could share with my younger self…

20 Pieces of Advice for 20-year-old Casey

  • Girl, you’ve got to quit it with the tanning beds. Tanned skin is not a good look, especially on a fair Irish gal like yourself. Load up on that SPF 50, protect your skin, and visit the dermatologist every year! Ohhhh, and figure out a skincare routine now, because the wrinkles are a comin’…
  • That high school boyfriend of yours is truly the most amazing man and you should feel damn lucky that he has chosen you to be his wife. Don’t ever take him for granted and be sure to tell him how much you adore him as often as possible. Which isn’t difficult because he is a hottie!
  • You don’t have a nuclear family unit and that’s a-okay. You have two parents who love you and would do absolutely anything for you. Remember how blessed you are to have them.
  • Accept your natural hair color and let those dark blonde locks shine on through! The bleached blonde look is doing nothing for your skin tone and you’ll visit the beauty salon a hell of a lot less if you get lowlights up in there. Trust me.
  • Your career may not go on the exact trajectory you had planned. That’s okay. Every job you get equips you with the skills to land that next (even better) job. Enjoy each step and stop worrying about “what’s next?!”
  • You have built-in friends with your brothers, sister, and sister-in-law. Hang with them as much as possible because they’ve always got your back!
  • At this point, you don’t even know what a blog is, but trust me, it’s going to change your life. Lean in and enjoy every moment of creating your own business…from nothing!
  • Your wedding day is just that…a day! Don’t stress over it too much and know that the days get even better once you’re married.
  • Some friendships end and that’s not a bad thing. You’d rather have fewer close friends than a dozen acquaintances. Focus on nurturing the close friendships that you do have and make sure you put in the effort! Friendships are a relationship like any other and they require work.
  • Put your phone away and enjoy the moment. Yes, it’s hard (especially as a blogger), but make limits for yourself now so you can enjoy the time with the people you love.
  • Your grandma is the coolest 80-something-year-old ever. Call her as often as possible. She is always down for a chat.
  • Throw away the timeline you have for your life. You know what I mean….the “I need to be engaged by this age, married by this age, and a mom by this age.” The timeline doesn’t matter and it’s all going to work its way out eventually.
  • You are so much stronger than you even know. Right now, you can’t even hang a shelf (and you certainly don’t own any tools). Believe in yourself because you are one powerful badass!
  • You and your bestie Bridget are very different people, but that’s what makes your friendship so great. Learn from Bridget’s kindness, endless positivity, and nurturing spirit. She is a friend you never ever want to lose.
  • Now is the time to travel! Always say “yes” when offered a trip for the blog, a last-minute trip to NYC from your husband, or even a girls’ trip to visit your grandma. Life is only going to get more chaotic, so now is the time to go on those trips!
  • You may move around for a few years, but Chicago is always going to be calling. It’s where you belong…close to your family and childhood.
  • Right now, you are so eager to be a TV reporter. Yes, that’s gonna happen, but it isn’t the best career for you long-term. In the end, you’re going to create your own job (who even knew you could do such a thing?!) and it will be the most rewarding job of them all!
  • You’re never going to win the comparison game. There is always going to be someone prettier, skinnier, and more successful than you. Focus on all the good that is happening in your life and stay in your own lane.
  • Motherhood won’t come easy for you and it’s gonna suck…big time. Stop focusing on everyone else’s life timeline (see above) and realize that your journey may not look like theirs. As they say, “make your mess your message.” Use your experience to inspire others with their own struggles.
  • Sloooooow down and stop worrying about what’s on your to-do list. Life is busy and chaotic, but you need to step back and take a look at how lucky you are. That to-do list will always be there, but it can wait. Instead, enjoy this amazing life you have and the incredible people in it.

Bring it on 30!

That was actually kind of cathartic to write out. And to be honest, at times I found myself crying (I’ll blame it on fertility hormones!). I certainly don’t know what the next 10 years of my life will bring, but if it’s anything like the last decade…I’m one hell of a lucky girl to live this life! Thank you for being on this journey right alongside with me. Cheers to 30!

Casey


The Year of Casey

Hey there!

Iโ€™m Casey Finn, the voice behind The DIY Playbook. I’m a Chicago gal teaching you how to design, DIY, and maintain your home…by yourself! Learn more about me right here.