Sometimes I wonder how different my life would be if I knew then what I know now. Things about life, loss, change, chances, family, and friendships. I definitely haven’t figured everything out in my old age of 37, but I know life is ever changing and I am learning as I go. Here are six things that I wish I would have learned before my late 30s.

1. Enjoy the moment. Don’t rush things so much. Life goes by so much faster than you would ever believe. Don’t wish away time because you are searching for the next thing. Enjoy every moment you can.

2. Remember who you are. Remember who you are and do as many of the things that you enjoy while you can. You will spend so much of your life being a wife and mother. Raising your kids and sacrificing for your family is the most important thing, but it is so easy to forget about yourself and your dreams. Before you know it you will be 37, stuck in a career path you never saw for yourself, and overwhelmed and exhausted by the trials of life. Do what you enjoy as much as possible.

3. Don’t worry so much. Things do have a way of working out. Listen to your mom. She always said “everything always works out.” Turns out she was right. It may not be in the ways that you thought or even the way you wanted, but it will work out the way it should. Worrying will only bring you to a worse place than you are in now. Things will go wrong and won’t go as planned, but nothing will be as daunting as you make it out to be in your head. Trust me.

4. Take more chances. Without putting yourself out there, you will never know what you could become. It is easy to live your life in the safe and comfortable zone, but you will be left unfulfilled. Take the chance. You can do more than anyone thinks.

5. Your best friendships are yet to come. You spend so much time in your youth worrying about your friends, how many friends you have, and what they think. It’s a waste of time. You will have great friends in life. Friends that will encourage you to leave your comfort zone and follow your passion. Friends that will stand by you at your worst moments and encourage you to keep going. Remember to stay connected to them. You need them. More than you think you do.

6. Be proud of yourself. You have worked really hard to get to where you are. Although it may not be where you want to be, it is where you are. Learn to appreciate the hard work you have put it. You have to be a fan of yourself. Others won’t appreciate your hard work and dedication and will try to squash your dreams, but don’t let them bring you down. You have a lot to offer and you don’t give up.

Life is scary and ever changing. Learn to enjoy the chaos of it all before it is too late.