If you’ve ever wished there was a handbook that some amazing grandmother passed down to you to help you make the most of your life, you’re not alone. There were a few books I read in my 20’s that helped inspire me for how to get my life together. One of my absolute favorites was the book Three Black Skirts by Anna Johnson. Completely changed my life.

The truth is, the only person responsible for your life is you. So, it is up to us to make sure that we are knowledgeable about all the things we women need to know to keep ourselves happy, healthy and thriving.

I put together a list of the 13 things that I feel are so important to know and remember to do as women in this world.

If you would like to hear my personal thoughts on each, listen to this episode of the Blissfully Ambitious podcast.

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01 | Go & See Your Woman Wellness Doctor.

Once a woman hits 40, there are things she needs to do to make sure she pays attention to her health. The obvious? Mammogram. Pap Smear. Etc. However, we aren’t often reminded to get our bloodwork done and check in on our hormones. You want to do this every few years to make sure that you are fully operating a your full potential.

If you are tired, overweight, can’t sleep well…these can all be solved by addressing potential hormone issues. Don’t put off going to your doctors.

02 | Stop Apologizing Out Of Habit.

It’s always important to take responsibility for our actions and apologize where necessary. However, so often, women apologize for absolutely nothing except just out of habit. I have even found myself apologizing when someone bumped into me.

If you find yourself apologizing for not being able to meet the needs of others at your expense, its time to stop that.

03 | It’s Perfectly Okay To Say “No” Without Guilt

One of the things that makes a women step more into her confidence, it is promptly saying “no” without explanation. If you have a hard time saying no to others demands on your time and attention, you may want to start by looking at your calendar. Where can you scale back? Where have you over committed? Begin taking inventory of how you are spending your time and who you are spending it with.

Start small. Practice saying “no” when something isn’t a good fit. When things that are harder to say no to begin to pop up, you’ll be much better equipped.

04 | You Are Your Own Woman (Don’t Live For Others)

Not only are your responsible for your own life, your opinion on your life is actually the only one that truly matters. If you tend to seek out validation and approval from others, it’s time to unlearn that habit.

Take inventory of your self-concept and how you feel about yourself. Then, practice building your trust in your own approval. Feel free to seek out wise counsel from others who you admired or are inspired by but take what resonates and leave the rest.

05 | Carefully Cultivate Your Signature Style & Personal Brand

No matter what it is you do for work in the world, a personal brand matters. And so does a signature style. It helps your confidence, your self esteem and your ability to make decisions, especially when purchasing clothing, home decor, handbags, etc.

When I feel really clear on what my signature style is, I waste so much less money on buying things that don’t really work on me or in my wardrobe. Hot tip: You can hire someone to help you asses your best colors and styles that work best for your body. This can be so helpful when building up your ideal wardrobe.

06 | Adopt The Mantra “This Too Shall Pass”

My grandmother always encouraged me through anything difficult in life by reminding me of the “this too shall pass” mantra. It’s stuck with me throughout life and it is the mindset that gets me through anything.

If you are going through a hard time, it won’t last. If you are in a blissful and happy season, reminding yourself that these times pass as well, helps keep you really present and focusing on being in gratitude for each and every single moment.

07 | Hydrate Your Body Properly

Drinking enough water to hydrate your body will change your body. Not only will it flush out toxins from the food and drink you are consuming, it will also help you feel full and curb your hunger pangs. It will help with digestion, bloating, improving your complexion, regulate your body temperature. Water is a miracle!

You can also manifest with water. If you haven’t read about Dr. Emoto’s water experiments and how speaking to your water can effect the way it interacts with your body, you should do that right now.

08 | Invest In Quality over Quantity

I shouldn’t have to even really expand on this but when you start to live by this, it will actually probably help you save more money. When you buy something that is great quality, it will last longer. You won’t be forced to run out and buy another one. Which is what happens when you buy cheap things, you have to consume them more often.

This is one reason I love thrifting, so often second hand things have such great quality and outlast the cheaply made versions, especially when it comes to furniture.

You can also apply this to any area of your life. Food, friendships, etc.

09 | Develop A Spiritual Practice

Having a faith based system of belief for you to lean into is super important for your mental health and overall wellbeing. There is no one fits all spirituality practice, it is entirely up to you and what feels good to you to trust in.

10 | Pick A Hobby & Become An Expert At It

In a world that often glorifies productivity and achievement, it's easy to overlook the importance of hobbies and activities for making life feel more full and enriching. Hobbies not only give you a sense of purpose and connection, they also help you learn and practice the art of commitment.

Becoming an expert in your hobby of choice can also help you build your confidence and self esteem. Almost any good movie with a strong leading lady, she is passionate about some hobby and its what makes her character interesting and relatable. Be your own Main Character and get yourself a hobby.

11 | Create A Home That Nurtures Your Creativity

If you come home everyday and feel stressed as soon as you walk in the door, you’re doing it wrong. You want to prioritize creating a home environment that nurtures and supports you in thriving.

Declutter anything that drains your energy. Decorate with colors that brighten up your mood. Surround yourself with things that make you happy. This will inspire you to continue to cultivate your sense of creativity and contentment in your life.

12 | An Evening Is Just As Essential As A Morning Routine

Sleep is probably one of the most important things in your life that contributes to your overall health and wellbeing. If you aren’t properly rested, there is no way that you are operating at your full potential. Do yourself a favor and cultivate an evening routine that supports you in getting the rest that your body truly needs.

Things that help me get a good nights sleep:

quality bedding & mulberry silk pillowcases
Calm magnesium powder in my hot water
reading a book versus looking at my phone
my Hatch sound machine with clock

13 | Always Dream Bigger

If there is something in your heart that you really dream for, you can absolutely have it. Something I notice, especially in women, is that we think we are asking for too much, yet the truth is, we don’t ask for enough.

If you have anything else you would like to add, let me know in the comments. I’d love to hear any advice you have to share.