First of all, Happy Mother’s Day to all of the mommas out there! As I said in last year’s Mother’s Day post, I firmly believe the older I get, the smarter my mom gets. Not a day goes by in my adult life that I don’t use something she has taught me. Today, in honor of my mom, I wanted to share 5 of the biggest lessons she’s taught me.

Lesson 1 – Always say “Thank You”.

This is for sure the lesson I use most. Whether it’s a quick verbal “thank you” when someone holds a door or does something nice, a quick thank you note, or a plate of “thank you” cookies. Even a quick wave if someone lets you merge on a highway. As I mentioned in my thank you note post, just stick to the 3S’s and you’re good to go. It doesn’t take a lot of effort to be polite. Heck, some people go so far out of their way to be rude that it’s just crazy. But all you have to do is take the high road and move on. You’re obviously having a better day than they are anyway.

Lesson 2 – A place for everything and everything in its place.

Ok, so this might be one of the most practical lessons, but it’s definitely the one I struggle with the most. Of course the concept is easy. It’s literally IN the lesson. But I have a bit of a hoarding streak and love surrounding myself with pretty things and beautiful memories. However, Marie Kondo and my mom are always in the back of my mind. So at least I’m getting better at organized hoarding. Ha!

Lesson 3 – Don’t save nice things just for special occasions.

“Always keep a bottle of champagne in the fridge for special occasions. Sometimes, the special occasion is that you’ve got a bottle of champagne in the fridge.” – Hester Browne (and my mom). How many times have you looked in your cabinets to see china you never use? Or fancy vases or champagne flutes, or maybe even the clothes in your closet? Now tell me what good they’re doing just sitting there? None whatsoever! Use the fancy china. Drink water out of champagne flutes. Even better use them for milk, oj, or even a mimosa with breakfast on Saturday mornings. Wear the nice shoes, the fancy dresses, that necklace your grandma passed down. Let the special things brighten your day.

Lesson 4 – Smile and nod.

Or as Robert Downey Jr. once said “Listen, smile, agree, and then do whatever the f*ck you were gonna do anyway”. Listen up people, this one is important and hella useful. Smile and nod comes in handy in almost any situation. Your boss says something stupid? Smile and nod and walk away. Someone says something that makes zero sense? Smile and nod and walk away. It’s as simple as it sounds. Plus it will keep you out of trouble. The hard part is doing it and let it go. But listen to my mom. It helps.

Lesson 5 – Life is short. Buy the shoes.

Ok so maybe she didn’t use these exact words, but the concept is the same. Work hard, play hard. Tomorrow isn’t promised to anyone. We only have today. Say thank you. Don’t pick fights. Celebrate being alive. Travel. Play outside. Take pictures. Make memories. Tell people you love them. This is the only chance you’ve got.

Of course these aren’t the only things I’ve learned from my mom. I’ve learned to be compassionate, thoughtful, hardworking, caring, ambitious, self sufficient, and a total #bossbabe. Thank you momma.

Happy Mother’s Day to each and every one of the moms reading this. We appreciate you. Let me know in the comments below if you have any favorite lessons you learned from your mom!

XOXO,
Tiffany