Listen, I don't know everything.

In fact, I don't think anyone ever really does. However, there are some personal truths I've accumulated along the way to 29. Maybe you'll agree with them, perhaps you'll disregard them as nonsensical ramblings, but I feel compelled to share them nonetheless.

Your mother is, more often than not, right

Yes, and bout pretty much everything too. Even if it's something she has no clue about, you can guarantee your Mam will come up with a viable explanation. Chances are you can remember a time where you dismissed her views as ridiculous or old-fashioned or just plain wrong but I bet that came back to bite you on the a*s at a later date.

"Comparison is the thief of joy"

You have heard this one before but that's because it's so accurate. Comparing your progress/success/failures to someone else, be it a friend, acquaintance or stranger, is your one-way ticket to bitterness. It takes all the good away from your personal achievements/plans/ideas and when you think about it, what is the point of comparing? It won't change anything and will only fuel any pessimistic feelings so if you have a habit of doing this, kick it now.

Life is a work in progress

No one has it all sorted. Or at least, I have yet to meet someone where everything, yes everything, is going to plan and there is nothing they would change. On the surface, people can often look like they have all their sh*t together, but it's only when you dig deeper, the cracks start to show. Simply put, you might get your professional life sorted but then a personal dilemma crops up and a lot of the time, this is out of your control. Again, you have to try your best to roll with the punches and remember that you're doing the best you can.

Trust your gut (most of the time)

I'm following this one more and more as I get older. You can seek advice day in, day out, but at the end of the day, it's you that has to live with the consequences of any decision you make.

Life is short, always eat the cake

I used cake to make this point because I have an unhealthy obsession with most types of confectionery but what I mean here is life is far too short to not enjoy the things you love. There have been times when I've admonished myself for indulging but like I said above, life is short and I'd rather spend it enjoying cake than being cross because I've denied myself. Obviously, I mean cake as part of a balanced diet and not with every meal but please, there is too much cake out there to not enjoy it. I have to say I'm impressed with how many times I've managed to include the word cake in here.

Worry is like walking around with an umbrella waiting for it to rain

Yeah, you've probably spotted this one on Pinterest as there are numerous memes and images doing the rounds. It's simple but oh so true and points out that worry is pointless and ultimately, it doesn't get you anywhere anyway. Kicking worry's butt is easier said than done, I'm not quite there yet, but remembering the futile nature of it definitely helps.

Stop beating yourself up

Genuinely, there are enough other people to do that for you. Seriously, if you can't champion yourself, then how do you expect anyone else to? That said, this is ridiculously rich coming from me as I'm rubbish at doing it. Lately, I'm making a valiant effort to cut myself some slack when that nasty negative voice starts up, berating me for this, that and the other.

Indulge your inner kid

There is a lot to be said for this. Blow some bubbles. Play music as loud as your speakers can go. Find something, anything, someone, that makes you laugh until your stomach hurts. Have a sugar high or a coffee crash. Watch a silly film. Lose all responsibility for an hour, you'll be amazed at the difference it makes.

You will be let down

Negative it might be but it's true. As important as trust is, it's also essential that you can stand on your own two feet so when the unexpected happens, you're equipped to deal with it. As someone who wears my heart on my sleeve, I naively expect others to do the same. Hahaha, silly I know but again, it doesn't matter who/what lets you down, it's learning to put yourself back together that counts.