6 life lessons as I hit the big 40: an open letter to my children

To my darlings, I’m sharing with you what I've learnt about life in my 40yrs on the planet. Maybe it will be your signpost when you feel lost, or a comfort when you feel down, or perhaps you'll read it once and forget about it. However, whatever, it's here.

1. Always be true to yourself.

That means listening to your thoughts, instincts and gut feels. Own it and go with it, because pretending to be something or someone you aren't won't ever make you happy.

Your life is yours and yours alone. Don't live it for someone else, or do things just because you think it's what's 'expected' of you. I will support you, love you and be proud of you whatever you do and wherever you go in your life.

2. Master your money.

Or it becomes your master. Know how much you have and how much you spend and save some every month. Never get a credit card - no matter how tempting it is. If you face up to money and spend less than you earn, it will make one of the most significant positive impacts on your life. Beyond what you can imagine.

3. Everything is better in moderation.

Aside from opportunities (take them all) and love (love with abundance), there is not one area of life this doesn’t apply to. I honestly believe it helps you lead the least stressful and healthy life.

Work - don’t be lazy but don’t work yourself into the ground.

Food - don't eat too much or too little.

Exercise - do enough to keep fit, not so much it’s an obsession.

Alcohol - drink if you want, or don't, but never let yourself get to the point where not drinking is difficult.

Self-reflection - enough to keep working on being a good person, not so much you drive yourself crazy.

You get the idea…

4. You’re always going to be learning.

From every person you meet to every situation you are in, every job you have and all the ups and downs of life, you will always have something to learn from it. That includes learning about yourself. Recognise what you’ve learnt and apply it because you’ll end up being all the wiser for it.

5. Take responsibility.

There’s so much you can’t control. But you can control how you react and respond to anything that happens in life. There is power in taking responsibility for yourself; for how you treat people, how you act, the life you create for yourself, the decisions and choices you make.

6. Everyone says be happy. But I say be grateful.

Grateful for every single thing no matter how small. Be grateful for the blue sky, the fact you woke up this morning and have a healthy body that works. That you have a family that loves you, you can see and hear. You have food on your table and clothes on your back. When you are grateful for these things each day, you cannot help but be happy.

And I am so incredibly grateful for you.