30 Things About Life I've Learned To Be True [Birthday Episode!]
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It’s my 30th birthday! Where has the time gone? Honestly, I still don't feel older than a junior in high school who just got her driver's license! But looking back on the last 30 years of my life, I can say I have learned so much (and most times learned the hard way!). That's why I dedicated this episode to sharing 30 things about life I’ve learned to be true with the goal in mind to help you avoid making the same mistakes I have made. I hope these things will inspire you and empower you to embrace your real!
Episodes mentioned:
2: 4 Questions to Ask Yourself About Your Weight Loss Goals
5: 10 Things I Do Every Morning To Win My Day
7: Getting Out of Your Fitness Funk
12: Stop Caring What Others Think of You
14: 3 Ways to Stop Feeling Like a Failure
17: Why Lean Doesn’t Equal Healthy
23: 5 Steps to Building Unshakeable Confidence
Transcript:
Hey there, beautiful human, you're listening to Embrace your Real with me, julie Ledbetter, a podcast where I empower you to just be you. With each episode, I dish you a dose of real talk and actionable advice for building your confidence, honoring your body and unconditionally loving your authentic self. Stay tuned. If you're ready to embrace your real, let's get in, let's go. Hello my beautiful sisters and welcome back to the embrace your l show. I'm so grateful that you are here spending some time with me today. Wherever you are in this beautiful world you're walking, you're driving, you you're cleaning, you're working out, you're doing the dang thing Thank you for showing up and choosing to prioritize yourself. It is my 30th birthday by the time you're listening to this. I honestly don't know where time has gone. I still don't feel older than a junior in high school who just got her driver's license, but, looking back on these almost 30 years of my life, I can honestly say that I feel like I've learned so much, and I know for me, I'm constantly wanting to hear other people's perspectives, because I feel like it opens my eyes to things that maybe I have heard of before, things that I've never thought of. So I wanted to dedicate this episode to sharing 30 things that I have learned to be true in 30 years. Now, I hope these things will inspire you. I hope they will empower you and encourage you to embrace your real.
01:35
Before I dive in, I want to share the review of the day. Ss6590 says exactly what I needed, wow. Listening to this podcast has been my favorite morning routine. Julie gets it, and hearing her explain things leaves me nodding in agreement. Such little things she spins in an inspiring way that leaves me motivated and ready to take on the day. I think my favorite thing about this podcast is how relatable and real Julie makes it. She's not trying to get you to be perfect, but to embrace your real, as the title suggests. I highly recommend this podcast. Thank you so much for the review. I love hearing your reviews. If you do listen on Apple podcasts, it really does help. This podcast spread the message of embrace your real, which we are now over a hundred countries strong in the world, and so if you could just take less than 30 seconds, scroll all the way down. On Apple podcasts you can click the rate and review, and I would love to hear what you have to say. So be sure to screenshot it. Send it to me in a DM and I will personally respond back just to say thank you.
02:37
All right, let's dive into the 30 things that I have learned. Number one things that I have learned. Number one being yourself is your superpower. Goodness, for many years, I allowed myself to believe the lie that I needed to try to be someone else in order for the world to like or accept me. I have since come to realize that my superpower is, in fact, me in my truest, rawest, authentic form, because no one will ever have the opportunity to see the world as I do. Therefore, it is my duty and it is my obligation to try my hardest to share with the world what I see, so that you can see it through my eyes and you can gain a new perspective. You can realize and see things the way that I do, in the same way that I want to learn from you and I want to learn from other people. That's how we grow and, especially with everything going on right now in the world, we have to be ourselves. That is our superpower, and the sooner we realize that, the sooner we will save so much time. Number two your body is freaking amazing the fact that I have allowed my body to literally go through hell and back, which is something that I'm not proud of, but something I embrace and still decides to function for me, is actually incredible and something I will never, never take for granted again, and I pray that, when I start to take things for granted, that the Lord reminds me how beautiful and wonderful and fearfully made I am. We need to stop shaming our bodies for what they're not and start loving them for exactly how they are.
04:19
Number three it's okay to not always be okay. Now, I used to be that person who hated bothering others by sharing my emotions. I was so used to putting on a facade that it was honestly easy for me to bottle up my emotions until I realized it affected every aspect of my life. So it's absolutely necessary to feel all the feels and let them out. They will help you grow. I can promise you that, and one thing that I have realized, which I've shared on this podcast through many different episodes, is the more that you speak out and share things, you will be incredibly amazed at how many people are like yes, they raise a hand and they're like me too. I've struggled with that, and that's the beautiful thing about community, like we are designed to live in community with one another and to hear one another's stories and struggles, because that's how we recognize that it's okay, that we're not alone and that we can get through it.
05:16
Number four your weight is simply a number. In case you didn't hear that in the back, let me repeat it again your weight, the weight that you're looking at on the weight scale, is simply a number. It should never, ever, dictate your happiness, your self-worth, your commitment in pursuing your dreams. It is one of many means of a measurement, and if you cannot use it as that, kick it to the curb, smash it with a baseball bat. I have seen so many selfies of women taking that scale out and smashing it to pieces and taking a smiling selfie, and I think that's so beautiful. The reason I think it's beautiful is because this should not dictate any sort of thing in our life. I've talked about this on the podcast before, in episode two questions to ask yourself about weight loss goals. It will remind you that weight loss itself is not the key to finding more confidence, and I also talk about this in episode 26, three weight loss myths. So be sure to tune into those episodes if that's something that you want to hear kind of more of my input.
06:20
On Number five health is not about veins, defined muscles or abs. Oh my goodness you guys. Over the last years, I have learned that true health is so much more important than physical appearance. I used to think that health looked a certain way until I realized that feeling didn't match my expectation of what I thought it would. Now, true health in my eyes is feeling your best mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually so that you can serve those who you love in the best version of yourself. I talk about this on episode 17, why? Lean doesn't equal healthy. So if this is something that you want to learn more about, be sure to tune into that. I have honestly feel like I have done it all, especially in my 20s. I went into bodybuilding. I won a pro card. I was standing on stage and as I received that award the moment after, literally as I was walking off the stage, just moments after I had received my pro card something that I worked so hard to achieve externally I was walking off that stage and I told myself I will never get on this stage again to be voted by my appearance. This is not something that I want to do. This is not something I want other people to do and I need to see and I need to seek out what true health looks like, and I had to redefine it. You know that was back in 2014. So, over the last six or so years has been me redefining what health looks like, and it's not all about veins or defined muscles or abs. Trust me, I am not the leanest, most shredded fitness influencer on the gram, and that is okay with me. In fact, that's something I embrace, that's something that I am proud of, because I have truly found what it looks like for me to have health in my life.
08:14
Number six working out is for you, no one else. I used to think I needed to go to the gym so that I could find acceptance in the eyes of others. Now, since learning this truth, I now look at working out as a necessity for me. It is not to be pleasing other people. It is not to be going out of my way to try to do something so that this person likes me or this person finds me impressive. This is about me. Moving my body and honoring my body with movement is about me. It's about crafting my body. It's about stretching myself to limits that I never thought I could. So stop making working out about other people and start focusing on it for you and see how that changes your perspective.
09:03
Number seven invest in self-awareness. It will save you so much time and so much money. Now, I used to not value the importance of self-awareness. Later I learned that to be self-aware is, honestly, one of the best investments that you can make for yourself. Not only will it save you a crap ton of money not having to spend money trying to find different things, what truly makes you happy but it will save you so much time. In my opinion, it is one of the most valuable assets we own in our lives, and it's free. So if you're like, okay, that's great, you're talking about self-awareness. Now, how do I even become self-aware? I would encourage you and challenge you to sit down in silence for 10 minutes. Ask yourself five things that you love about yourself and five things that maybe you want to change. Now I want to challenge you to not have them be just external things. I want a bigger house, I want to do this. I want to do that. Ask yourself quality questions about your characteristics, about your personality traits, about the things that you do, or maybe the things that you don't do, and over time, the more that you spend time with yourself and really investing in that, you'll become more self-aware, you'll see things that make you happy or ignite your soul and you'll also start to recognize the things that are draining you and draining your energy.
10:30
Number eight stop wasting your time wishing you were somewhere else. For so long of my life I was discontent. I was constantly wishing that I was someone else doing something different and because of that I literally wasted so much of my life. If I could go back and tell myself in my early 20s to stop scrolling and hoping and wishing and praying that I was somewhere else, with somebody else doing something else, and start embracing where I'm actually at and taking steps forward to get to where I want to be, oh my goodness, would that have changed everything. So if that's you, even if you're not in your early 20s, if you're in your 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, I want to encourage you to stop wasting your time scrolling, hoping, wishing, praying that you are somewhere else and start embracing, celebrating, seeking out where you are at right now and start taking steps forward to where you want to get. Trust me along that way, along that route, along that journey, you'll actually figure it out, and that's where you'll be content.
11:42
Number nine if you're not enjoying what you're doing, change it. I am giving you full permission right now to stop what you're doing and start doing what you love. My goodness, for so long I stayed in the same place because I was scared to start something new. I was scared of what other people would say, and I came to realize that life is actually way too short for that. You have to stop doing something that you don't love. Remember this if you're not enjoying the journey, you'll most likely not enjoy the destination. So what is it in your life? Is it your career? Is it habits? Is it people? Is it places? Stop doing things over and over and over again, expecting a different result. That is the definition of insanity Doing the same thing over and over and over again, expecting a different result. If you're not enjoying what you're doing, I'm giving you permission Not that you need it, but sometimes it's nice to know we have it To stop and just go the other way. Start something new. Yeah, it's really scary. Anything in life is scary when it changes, but that's the beauty of life, is that we are in full control of what we do or what we don't do.
13:01
Number 10, learn to fail more often, but don't identify yourself as a failure. Now, the thought of failure scared me for so long. I always looked at it as something to be frowned upon. But over the years I don't know if it's been through entrepreneurship, failing in multiple, you know, relationships, things that I've done in my past I've actually learned to anticipate and embrace failure with open arms. I do it because now I know that it's one of my greatest teachers, because the sooner we fail, the sooner we'll be able to succeed. And you have to look at failure as the beginning, or even the middle, but don't you dare entertain the thought that failure is the end, middle, but don't you dare entertain the thought that failure is the end. I have, like I said, failed so many times along this journey and each time does failure itself feel good? No, but what comes from failure and what you choose to do with failure is truly what shows you who you are at your core. It grows you, it stretches you, it molds you into the woman that you're becoming. If you want to learn more about this, I talk about it in episode 14, three ways to stop feeling like a failure, and I share a lot more insight on this. But please, please, please, remember to fail fast so you can succeed sooner.
14:21
Number 11, quit assuming what people think about you. These words will hinder any dream or ambition that you have. It did for me for over 10 years of my life. I was hesitant to make a change simply because I cared about what people would think. The moment that you start believing other people's thoughts do not matter to you anymore. The moment that you stop believing other people's thoughts to be true is a life-changing experience. You'll become free to do what you want, free to think, free to live your life in a way that makes you more happy and, as a result, once you stop living for the expectations of what you think other people want you to do or be or say, you will actually become more confident. I talk about this in episode 23, five steps to building unshakable confidence. So be sure to check that episode if you haven't already. But you've got to stop assuming what other people think about you and stop living in that as your reality.
15:23
Number 12, there is nothing better than feeling strong. Oh, my goodness. For over 15 to almost 20 years of my life I struggled with this. I was a weak girl, weak in my mind, weak in my body. I didn't prioritize strength because I never really had a taste of what it truly felt like Not just physically, mentally too. Not only does strength allow you to have killer weight training sessions, but it allows you to have more confidence, more direction, and it helps you to enhance your ability to become more independent. When you feel physically strong, you will be amazed at how much you can accomplish. So start prioritizing feeling strong. Feeling strong mentally, feeling strong spiritually, feeling strong physically All of these aspects will be tools in your tool belt to help give you that confidence that you need to trust your intuition and to trust that you can accomplish anything that you set your mind, heart and body to.
16:27
Number 13, manage your environment, the people that you spend your time with and the daily activities that you're participating in matters. The words that you're speaking to yourself matters. The words that you're speaking to others matters. Even if you don't feel the effect on it right now, you will in time. You've got to take time to nourish your internal and external environment right now, so your older self can thank you for it Another great indicator of if your environment is suited for you to grow is to ask yourself am I the smartest person in the room? If the answer is yes, girl, you're in the wrong room. You need to be in a room full of people that encourage, push, challenge, maybe even intimidate you. Those are the rooms where you're going to grow. Yeah, it's uncomfy, but growth never comes from your comfort zone.
17:22
Number 14, it is okay to be alone. I used to be so scared of being alone, not because being alone itself was scary, but because being alone with my mind was scary. I didn't know myself and I think I was so scared to spend time with myself because I was like it's going to be awkward. But the more I actually prioritize self-acceptance like I talked about earlier, and learning to get to know myself, which is honestly something that we need to do on a regular basis, because just as much as life is changing before our eyes, we change, and if we think that we are our 13 year old self or we're still living in the 15 year old mindset that we had, it's not serving us. It's not serving the opportunities that we have, it's not serving the things that we want to pursue. It's not giving ourselves the ability to grow into where we are right now. So you've got to find time alone. You've got to find time to ask yourself what ignites me, to ask myself what frustrates me, what are the things that I want to change or do in my life? You've got to learn to be alone and be okay with it. You've got to become your best friend number 15.
18:40
Do not put a cap on your dreams. Do you remember when you were a kid and you felt like nothing was impossible, like one day you were a nurse and the next day you were a lawyer and the next day you were a teacher, and it was like all of these things came so easy to you. It was like there was not a shadow of a doubt that you were going to be the best teacher that day. I know for me. I used to play teacher with my sister and I remember oftentimes my sister was a teacher and I was a student. But even then I was like, if I'm going to be the student, I'm going to be the absolute best student. But even then I was like, if I'm going to be the student, I'm going to be the absolute best student, I'm going to know the most, and it was like I didn't even have any sort of doubt that I was going to be the best. And somewhere along the lines from that seven-year-old girl, that 10-year-old girl, heck, even that 15-year-old girl.
19:27
We have allowed ourselves to believe that we can't do x, y and z, we can accomplish this. Oh, if I only had this, then I could do this. You've got to remember that you are capable, you are worthy, you are enough and you can literally accomplish anything that you set out to do with patience, perseverance, prayer and daily walking forward. Number 16, stop looking for the one. You are the one. I wish I could go back and tell my 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 year old self that I am enough, that I don't need somebody else to complete me. I feel like for so long of my life I thought that I needed another person to complete me, and you have to remember this that you alone are enough and that's all you truly need. And when you get that, when you fully understand that you are enough and you don't need anybody else to complete you, everybody else in your life will just compliment you. And when you live in that mindset of I have these friends and I have, you know my husband and my family. They're compliments. They're meant to be compliments in my life. They're not designed to complete me. So stop looking for the one and remember that you are the one.
20:55
Number 17, use the five second rule. If you haven't heard of the five second rule introduced by Mel Robbins, go check it out. It is a simple concept with a profound outcome. Now, the five second rule has not only changed my level of productivity, but it has enhanced my relationships and attitude and completely eliminated my procrastination. When I use it Keyword, when I use it, yes, I'm a human. There are so many times that I take that tool and I'm like, yeah, I know about the five second rule, but I'm going to choose to not use it. Girl, I'm telling you, use the five second rule, and I loved this quote that I saw the other day. It said if it takes less than five minutes, just do it now along with a five second rule. So essentially, a five second rule is 54321. Boom, you're going to start doing it and it just eliminates the procrastination. There's actually like a lot of scientific evidence that Mel Robbins goes into detail about with why it's so productive and why it is so helpful in our mind. But if it takes less than five minutes, just do it now.
21:56
Think about all the things on a daily basis that would actually get done if we actually took that quote and truly applied it. The little things that you write off daily, that take you three seconds but that could make a profound impact in your life. Remember, it's the little things over time compounded, the little things over time compounded that really make the massive transformations. These things that you see whether it's overnight success or it's a transformation photo that you see on Instagram or whatever it is the successes of our life that we see from other people. Remember that is little actions taken repeatedly over time compounded. So I ask you, what are the things that you are putting off that take less than five minutes? Start them now.
22:48
Number 18, it is a blessing to honor my body with movement. Now, I used to think that the gym, my workout, was the only place to move my body. In fact, I did that so often that I would use that excuse to get out of going, hiking or doing things or exploring. But over the last I would say, 18 months, this concept, this mantra, if you will, that I have allowed to inundate my life and I remind myself of it every day Honor your body with movement. Honor your body with movement has allowed me to take movement elsewhere Hiking, biking, running, walking, jogging, doing things that I used to tell myself that's not movement, because it's not the gym, it's not four walls, and since getting out of the gym a traditional gym, which I talk about in episode seven getting out of your fitness funk it has shed such a light on this topic and really gave me this aha realization that movement is so many other things than just weight training or just doing cardio inside gym walls. Get outside, honor that body with movement.
23:55
And, honestly, this mantra is not even about movement. It's about the concept that we have the opportunity to move our bodies, and what an honor, what a celebration it is. It is no longer this thing that we have to do. We get to do it. We get to move our body. If you have breath in your lungs and you woke up this morning, you get to move your body, and what an honor that is. And if there's people in your life that can't do it, move for them. If you can't get yourself to move for yourself, move for them. Do it in honor of them, not to try and please them, but in honor of them, it's a blessing that we get to honor our body with movement.
24:44
Number 19, watch more sunsets than Netflix. But really like, if you think about this for a minute, how addicted as a society are we to Netflix? And if you're like Julie, I don't have Netflix, okay, insert TikTok. Insert Instagram. Insert social media. Insert whatever it is that's distracting you from looking up. Make a commitment to watch more sunsets than Netflix, than whatever it is that you fill in the blank. I promise, when you learn to take a step away from the things that distract us daily and get outside with the people that you love, surround yourself with people that enhance your life, that encourage you, that challenge you, it will be so refreshing for your mind.
25:32
Number 20, commit to devote your energy instead of time to be with your loved ones. Now, I used to grow up thinking that I need to commit my time to those whom I loved, until I discovered that it really wasn't time that we want anyways, it's their energy. Right, like, spending five hours with someone you love but not fully present will leave you still feeling unsatisfied, still feeling unheard, still feeling like you didn't really get anything out of it If you're both in a room for five hours but you're sitting on your phone scrolling, maybe saying three things every couple 30 minutes, are you really spending energy with them? It's not an energy expenditure, that's a time expenditure. But if you fully spend one hour engaged, 100% engaged, fully investing your energy, asking them questions, learning more about them, you know, asking the challenging questions, asking them how their day was, what their dreams are, really investing in that person, putting the phone down and investing an hour with one person, you will be so amazed at how much more it will strengthen your relationship.
26:44
This could be your significant other. This could be a family member. This could be a friend. This could be your kids family member. This could be a friend. This could be your kids. I encourage you to test it out. Stop trying to just say, oh, I need to spend more time with them. I need to spend more time with them. Instead, say how can I actually spend more energy with them? What are the things that I need to stop doing or start doing so that I can spend more energy expenditure with that person? It's not about time. You could go on a date with somebody, right? You're spending a good solid, maybe three hours If you both have your phones which I am not saying that I am perfect at this, I am guilty of this.
27:24
There have been so many times that I've walked away and I'm like man, I really, really, really messed that one up. I should have put my phone down. I should have not been as distracted. And this could even be like you're constantly waiting for you to say the next thing in a conversation. I've caught myself doing that. Right, you're not even thinking, you're not even listening to what the other person is saying, because you're waiting for what you can fire back at that person. That could be in an argument, whatever it is. In an argument, whatever it is. It could be even just like how can I make this person like me more? How can I gain more approval? Right, ask yourself the next time that you have some time with your family, with your friends this week how can I spend more energy? It's not time that you're really looking for? It's energy, number 21,.
28:06
Stephen Furtick said it best your fight may be bigger than you, but it's not bigger than God. There are things that you're trying to figure out right now in your own strength, and God is saying I want that battle back, stop trying to fight that battle on your own. Sometimes we go through things that just feel impossible, and sometimes we don't have the energy or we don't even have the ability to fight the battle. And sometimes God is just telling us hey, I don't need you to fight that battle, that's mine. I just want you to face it. I want you to face that battle and I'll fight it for you. Remember this the attack that you are facing today is going to give you the weapon that you need for tomorrow. Are facing today is going to give you the weapon that you need for tomorrow. Don't ever think that the battle that you're going through, or the battle that you will go through in six months or 12 months or a year, or the battles that you've been through, don't ever think that those are a waste, because God is using them, he has used them, he is using them and he will continue to use your battles for his glory. Trust him, number 22,.
29:17
Looking at taking care of yourself as number 22,. Look at taking care of yourself as an investment for those who you love. Right On the surface, you might be saying, okay, well, yes, I'm a mom, I'm a wife. I need to take care of my kids first. And I'm telling you what, if you look at taking care of yourself as not selfish, but as the catalyst for you to be able to take care of you and your family better in the future, it's not arrogant and it's not selfish for you to prioritize yourself.
29:52
When you truly allow yourself to be filled up, when you truly allow yourself the time and the energy for you to put into a workout or to gratitude journal in the morning or whatever it is that sets you up for success mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally you are then able to give your best in the best capacity all day long. Think about this we cannot truly give somebody else a cup that's empty when they're trying to drink it. Think about all of your kids, think about your husband. Think about your family that needs your love right, they need your love, they want your love. You are not able to give them your full capacity love if you have not truly allowed yourself to pour into yourself first. So this could mean setting up your schedule so that you can get your workout in first thing. Find the daycare, find the nanny, do what needs to happen so that you can fill your cup up first and let the overflow, be the best possible version of yourself all day long, because oftentimes I see it flipped around.
30:56
I see women in so much shame because they want to start working out, they want to start nourishing their body, they want to start doing the thing, the career, whatever it is that you have inside your heart, and they look at that but they're like but I have to do this, I have to take care of my kids, I have to do this for my husband and, yes, those jobs, those roles are so important. But please, sister, hear me when I say that if you choose to prioritize yourself, you will then therefore be able to serve those who you love in the best possible capacity later on, and it's a win-win for both people. So stop looking at prioritizing yourself as selfish. It's not Number 23,.
31:39
It doesn't take talent to practice. Far too many times I have made the excuse how I wasn't born with talent or I wasn't skilled in that area, and the fact of the matter is, with anything, no matter what it is, whether you're passionate about it, you feel called to it. Whatever it is, you don't need to be naturally talented in that specific area, because hard work beats talent every single day. You don't have to be talented. In fact, I have seen the brightest, most passionate people who are so good at what they do. Those are the people that worked their butts off for it. They were not born with that talent. They were not gifted with it. Right, the people that you see or the people that you look up to. Oftentimes you ask them what is it? What's the secret ingredient that got you to where you are it? What's the secret ingredient that got you to where you are? And 9.999 times out of 10, they're going to be like I just tried and kept trying and kept trying and I kept practicing and I kept failing and I kept practicing and I kept failing, but I never gave up.
32:43
Stop thinking that because you're not skilled or you're not born with this, some sort of talent that you can't not pursue what you want to pursue in your life, do it, make a plan, keep going, keep failing, keep pushing forward. You've got this Number 24, recreate your vision board annually. Now, I used to not be a fan of this. In fact, I thought it was super corny and something that you only do in middle school. Because we did it. I remember in my youth group, we would do it in my Bible study like create your vision board, let's cut out magazines and things like that powerful, because when you can actually get yourself to a mindset of like, this is what is going to accomplish not, this is what I hope to accomplish, but this is what is going to be accomplished with hard work, with dedication, with passion, with perseverance, with prayer all of these things. It's so incredible to see what our mind does, because our mind is so, so strong and when we practice repetition daily through visualization, our mind over time doesn't know what's actually like, vividly imagined or real. It is such an incredible part of our mind that we can tap into, and I actually talk more about like visualization and my techniques in episode five. It's 10 things I do every morning to win the day. So be sure to tune into that episode. But please, if you haven't already create that vision board, if you have created a vision board, maybe five years ago, 10 years ago, girl, I'm asking you to recreate that vision board. Maybe add to it, subtract to it whatever you need to do on an annual basis. If you can't do it every six months, at least do it every 12 months. You will be amazed at what comes from it.
34:31
Number 25, worthwhile things grow in the dirt of imperfection. The things that are going to teach you monumental lessons typically come from the seasons of imperfection Times in your life you feel unworthy, that are insignificant, you feel unsure or you feel insufficient. Don't check out during those specific seasons, because those are the exact seasons that you have to go through in order for you to be on the other side. So learn to lean in and wait expectantly for what's on the other side of that. Number 26, your tongue is powerful. Wield it lightly. Speaking harsh, thoughtless words to ourselves and others only takes a second, but it inflicts deep wounds that often take years to heal. Be mindful of how you use your words, for the impact is far greater than you give them credit for. Please, please, please, be so careful with how you use your tongue. Our tongue is so, so valuable and it can be used for so many good things, like I'm thinking about right now. I'm using my tongue to be able to speak to you and speak to so many women around the world in this very moment. Yes, that's powerful and it's beautiful, and that's what God intends, but our tongue can also be used to say things that are dirty, that are nasty, that inflict wounds that take years to heal and seconds to say so. Please be mindful with your tongue, number 27,.
36:12
Stick to a budget. Oh, sweet Julie, if you could only thank your mom for having her make you do the envelope system in high school. Yes, I was that kid in high school with envelopes. I had gas money, I had entertainment money, I had food money and I thought it was so silly. But looking back on it, I am so incredibly grateful that my mom instilled this passion for me to be financially free. And if you haven't learned about budgeting or if you want to learn more about budgeting, obviously it's not my number one expertise, but Dave Ramsey, total Money Makeover is incredible. It's a great resource. It literally has like baby step one, baby step two and it's so practical Tips, tricks. Definitely check that out. I mean. There's tons of other people, but he, dave Ramsey. I feel like his approach to it is no nonsense, basically. So it's super easy to stick to it and I truly believe that budgeting is a vital role in the stewardship of our finances, right In the same way that we need to steward our bodies well by fueling it properly.
37:23
I am telling you right now however old you are, you are not too old to budget. However young you are, you are not too old to budget. However young you are, you are not too young to budget. I, honestly, I'm now 30. I wish that my 18 year old self took budgeting seriously. I didn't, unfortunately, until like my mid twenties, and then I kind of woke up and even to this day it's one of those things that is super easy to do if you set yourself up for success, just like right sticking to your daily allotment of macros to nourish your body. It's super easy when you set yourself up for success through meal prepping and through, you know, finding foods that you enjoy and all those things. It's the same thing with a budget you have to set yourself up for success for it. So I encourage you if you are kind of like way clueless with budgeting, total Money Makeover, I'm sure there's tons of free resources. You could even check it out at the library. Like this is not sponsored in any way, shape or form, but Dave Ramsey has helped us get out of thousands of dollars of just ridiculous debt that we were in for a while and I'm so, so grateful for it. Trust me, your 50 year old, your six, it. Trust me, your 50 year old, your 60 year old, your seven year old self will thank you for prioritizing budgeting and just being a good steward of your finances.
38:38
28, before you go, always say I love you. This is so hard. I dislike saying this, but life is so short and in mys I just think about all of the beautiful people that I lost, that I love so much, and I can just tell you that you'll never regret saying I love you Every time when you go to sleep. I love you when you leave. I love you. On this topic, I also feel like in my 20s I've learned that love truly has no boundaries, and I'm specifically saying that in terms of like. Just how I met my husband, god has just shown me that love surpasses all boundaries, boundaries that I've made on myself, boundaries that I've thought of, like all these like expectations and things that I thought it would be. God surpassed that in like, such a beautiful, amazing way. I talk about my love story in episode 34, 10 unheard facts about a deaf and hearing couple. So if you haven't tuned into that one, be sure to do so. But please, please, please, never, never, never underestimate just saying I love you, saying I love you. Saying I love you, sometimes you might be arguing, but you're going somewhere Just say I love you. Just say I love you, number 29.
39:54
Stop focusing on weight loss, start focusing on being healthy and let the weight take care of itself. Can I say it again for those in the back my progress today is honestly not forced from a hatred for my body. Instead, it's fueled and encouraged from a deep love and respect for it. Right Like something truly beautiful happens when you stop fixating on the number, on the scale and dwelling on it and everything that your body is not, and just start accepting and loving your body for everything that it is right now. Like I said earlier, when you focus on nourishing your body, when you focus on honoring your body with movement and speaking to it lovingly, the weight takes care of itself and I wish that I would have learned that sooner, but I'm so grateful here. I am 30 and I've learned this. The weight will take care of itself. I also talk about this in episode 37, fat loss versus weight loss. What's the difference difference? So if this is something that you're struggling with, I encourage you to tune into that episode.
40:53
And number 30 do the scary thing, sis, do the scary thing. Comma sis period. Exclamation point. Exclamation point. Exclamation point. To be honest with you, I was so scared to launch this podcast. I kept thinking about all the reasons why I shouldn't do it. Just because something is scary doesn't mean you shouldn't do it. Most often, when something is scary, that means that's exactly what you need to do. I know your comfort zone feels super safe and super cozy, but you'll never live up to your potential by staying there. So there you have it.
41:36
Lastly, I have been rereading one of my favorite books called Beauty, by the Book by Nancy Stafford, and I came across this prayer and it jumped out at me Like I literally got goosebumps all over my body and it was just one of these things where I was like, oh my gosh, this is what I need right now in my season of life, and it's something that I've been praying over and I'm committed to continue to praying over as I enter into a new decade, into my 30s. So I thought I would share it with you, hopefully. Maybe this prayer is something that you will be an answer to, prayer for you. Maybe it's something that you can hold on to. You can take bits and pieces of it and really meditate on it. And I'm asking you to listen to it once and then maybe listen to it two or three more times, because our soul and our mind needs repetition, and that's why I'm committed to reading this every day. So every day when I'm journaling, I am committed to reading this. I don't know for how long it could be a year, could be this whole next decade and I get to 40 and I'm like I haven't memorized, like the back of my hand. Either way, I hope that this blesses you in some way, lord.
42:47
Thank you that, before I was formed in the womb, you have me in mind and created me just as I am. You gave me a unique personality and distinct physical traits. Help me to delight in my uniqueness and realize the wonderful truth that I am unlike anything or anyone else you have ever made. I have been created to give you glory, lord, in ways that only I can. Help me to glorify you through my life and my body every day. Help me to always look in your mirror, lord. Forgive me for the times I compare myself to others. Enlarge my heart and keep me from envy and jealousy. Help me be a woman who encourages and delights in the beauty of others. Amen.
43:39
All right, sister, this was such a great exercise for me to sit down and think about life, think about all the things that I've learned, think about things that I, you know, if I was sitting in a room with my future kids and my future kids' kids and my friends and my family, like, what are the things that I feel like I have learned for a reason that I could pass on to other people? I would love to know what yours are. So if this spoke to you, I would love to just hear either one of the things that I said that really spoke to you and resonated with you, or I would love to just hear either one of the things that I said that really spoke to you and resonated with you, or I would love to see you recreate your own. Be sure to tag me on Instagram. You can hashtag EYR embrace your real age list. So hashtag EYR age list. Tag me on Instagram.
44:21
Julia Ledbetter, if you're listening to this on Spotify or Apple podcast, there's three dots on the top right of your screen of your phone right now. If you click that, you will see the ability to copy the link and share it in a text message, share it on Facebook, share it on Instagram, share it on all the social platforms. I would love for you to share this episode to your girls, share it to your tribe, share it to your Bible study, share it to your girls. Your girls text your sister, your mom anybody that you feel like could benefit from this. Share it out. I would love to hear what comes from it. Thank you so much for spending these moments with me on my 30th birthday. I love you so much and I will talk to you in the next episode.
45:11
All right, sister, that's all I got for you today, but I have two things that I need you to do. First thing, if you are not already following me on the gram, be sure to do so. Julie A Ledbetter yes, it's with an A in the middle For that daily post-workout real talk, healthy tips and tricks and honest accountability to keep your mind and heart in check. The second thing be sure to subscribe to Apple Podcasts to never miss an episode. Thank you so much for joining me. It means the absolute world, and I'm going to leave you with one last thought. The most beautiful women that I have met in my life are the ones who are completely confident and secure in being authentically themselves. Remember that beauty goes so much deeper than the surface. So go out there and embrace your real, because you're worth it. Thank you.