7 Life Lessons I Learned from a Two-Year-Old

In the midst of our day-to-day, the rise, the grind, the email and making moves, it’s all too easy to forget the simple things. The parts of life that make us feel lucky to be here and the people that make us feel strong, inspired, and imbued with the confidence to carry-on.  But if you slow down, it’s easy to see that something as small as one word or action can be impactful enough to change the course of a day, a year, a lifetime. 

This is something that Dove understands. That a simple Beauty Bar, shared between generations of moms and daughters, friends and sisters, can reveal radiant and beautiful skin. That one word has the power to change your outlook on the world. It’s why for a limited time the words love, real, kind or care will be engraved into the Dove Beauty Bar. Four letters that remind us as women to love, care, be kind, and be real with ourselves-- and the other women we are grateful to have in our lives. 

In honor of Mother’s Day, who better to remind us about the power of words, than a child first learning and experiencing the wonder of language? Because a conversation with a two-year-old is the most real, most honest conversation you will have at any point, during any day, and they are wise beyond their years. 

“CLOSE THE COMPUTER” 

This is for the woman who is committed to her job, but deserves to take a break. We all know how easy it is to fall into the trappings of work. We think, in order to get ahead we need to bury ours in work. This isn’t the case, and sometimes the best thing you can do for your career and life, is close the computer and focus on the people in front of you. 

IT’S OK TO CRY

How poignant, and at the same time, how difficult for us to understand as adults. We’re told that we should step outside if we need to cry. But there is strength in understanding and giving in to your humanity and emotion.  We’re strong, independent, and capable but no one needs to be the rock all the time. That’s what leaning on your team— work and personal— is for. Know that crying doesn’t make you weak, it makes you human. 

"Crying doesn’t make you weak, it makes you human."

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YOU’RE BEAUTIFUL MOMMY

To a two-year-old, what is most beautiful is the love you share. It has nothing to do with what you wear, if you’ve done your hair, or if your makeup is just right. This is a message we can carry to all our friends, and every woman in our life. What makes you beautiful is how you radiate. 

I AM SO BRAVE

Fear is normal (especially when it comes to starting a business or taking a leap of faith like so many of us have done) but there would be no bravery without fear. There would be no reward without risk. So go for it. Whatever it is. And when things don’t land exactly where you planned, memorize this next lesson. 

IT’S GONNA BE OK. 

It doesn’t always seem like it, and days when you’re down feel like they’ll last a lifetime. But you have survived every single one of your worst days yet. That’s a fact, and the women in your life are there to support you. So know with certainty, that it’s gonna be OK. 

WHY DID YOU EAT THE ICE CREAM, ALL?

We don’t have to do everything in order. Sentence structure included. We get so caught up in making sure we check things off our to-dos (both work and life) but there is no one right path. In fact, switching up your path and doing a few things out of order is occasionally what the life doctor orders. (And remember: sometimes it’s perfectly OK to eat all the ice cream and love yourself for it.)

"Sometimes it’s perfectly OK to eat all the ice cream and love yourself for it."

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I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU

There are never enough ways to say “I love you.” There is never a wrong way to say it either. When a child reaches out touches your face, and whispers, “I love you, I love you, I love you,” take it as a cue to spread the love far and wide. 

Whether it’s your mom, grandmother, sister, daughter, friend or mentor, I invite you to use the power of words to honor a beautiful woman in your life. Share a post, a tweet, a picture, and let her know how much she means to you. Tell her how she shows you the meaning of love, kind, real or care, using the hashtag #BeautyIs.

Arianna Schioldager is the editorial director at Create & Cultivate. She wishes every mom out there a very happy, love-filled Mother's Day.

Image of Scout The City via Unsplash. 

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