48 Things I’ve Learned in 48 Years
Lessons in love, resilience, and what it means to live fully alive.
The Royal Hawaiian; Photo: Audrey Esperat
Today, I turn 48.
It’s a little breathtaking when you get to this season of life, grappling with the realization of how much life seems to fly by at record speed.
Birthdays, to me, are less about cake and candles and more about thresholds — moments that invite us to pause and take stock of who we are becoming.
So, in the spirit of reflection (and celebration!), here are 48 things I’ve learned over my 48 years so far — about life, love, faith, creativity, resilience, and the beauty of living fully alive. Some are simple, some sacred — all of them have shaped the way I understand flourishing today.
My 48 Lessons at 48
Flourishing isn’t about perfection — it’s about presence.
You can be strong and soft at the same time.
Grief and joy are not opposites; they can coexist.
Rest is not laziness — it’s rebellion in a culture of hustle.
Beauty is not frivolous. It’s nourishment for the soul.
God heals in ways no textbook in psychology ever could.
You can survive what you thought might break you.
Music is medicine. I like to take it preventatively (daily).
Friendships need tending like gardens, but they go through different seasons—and that’s ok.
“Rest is not laziness — it’s rebellion in a culture of hustle.”
Practicing wearing my crown early in life!
10. Boundaries are love in practice. Clear is kind.
11. Children teach us as much as we teach them.
12. Forgiveness sets you free.
13. Creativity is oxygen for the gifted spirit.
14. Legacy is built in small, ordinary moments.
15. Home is less about a place and more about belonging.
16. Therapy helps, but prayer truly transforms.
17. It’s okay to not fit in — you weren’t meant to.
18. Money doesn’t buy flourishing. Alignment does.
19. Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is say “no.”
20. Joy is found in micro-moments.
21. You are not too much.
22. Marriage is less about perfection and more about partnership.
23. The body holds wisdom if we learn to listen.
“Therapy helps, but prayer truly transforms.”
24. Silence speaks.
25. There is power in asking for help.
26. A walk outside can shift almost anything.
27. Write it down — memory is a gift, but paper keeps it safe.
28. Your 17-year-old self still lives inside you. Be kind to her.
29. Elegance is simplicity with depth.
30. You don’t have to be understood by everyone to be loved.
31. Beauty and science aren’t mutually exclusive— they’re often two sides of the same coin.
32. Aging is a privilege.
33. You don’t have to earn rest. You live from rest.
“Your 17-year-old self still lives inside you. Be kind to her.”
34. Self-compassion is not indulgence — it’s the gracious, healthy way to move forward.
35. Gratitude recalibrates everything.
36. We carry the stories of our ancestors in our bones.
37. Art can hold what words cannot.
38. Comparison is the thief of joy and peace.
39. Rituals create rhythm, rhythm creates flourishing.
40. Saying “I love you” never gets old.
41. Your voice matters — even when it shakes.
42. God’s timing is rarely ours, but it’s always better.
43. Miracles often look like ordinary things if we have eyes to see.
44. You can flourish even in the midst of uncertainty.
45. Beauty is not vanity. It’s a form of deep truth.
46. There is no flourishing without authenticity.
47. Legacy is not what you leave behind, but who you lift along the way.
48. Flourishing is a birthright.
“Flourishing is a birthright.”
As I step into 48, I don’t see a finish line ahead — just more becoming, more unfolding, and more beauty to behold and savor.
And I’d love for you to reflect with me:
What has life taught you so far?
Which lesson resonates most with where you are right now?
This week, I’m also launching something very close to my heart: The Power to Flourish Podcast. It’s a space where I’ll share more stories, lessons, and conversations to help us all live more fully alive.
Click here to subscribe so you don’t miss the very first episode.
Here’s to flourishing — in every season, every lesson, every year.
With gratitude for the journey,
Dr. Andrea
Ready to explore this further?
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You’ve spent so long taking care of everything and everyone. What if it’s finally your turn?
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Meet Dr. Andrea Lein
I’m Dr. Andrea Lein—psychologist, speaker, and guide for brilliant women who are ready to live life beautifully. Here, I share reflections on emotional well-being, intentional living, modern motherhood, and the art of flourishing—because a beautiful life isn’t a luxury, it’s your birthright. More about me →
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