Life often works in weird ways. Theories and studies cannot teach valuable lessons that solely come from experience. Sometimes you have to go through certain situations to know more about the future.
Nothing can replace the past. Lessons come and go but the best seem to stick around forever. The mentioned lessons are some that have stuck with me the most in my young life so far.
- The Future Can Never Be Fully Planned For
- It is impossible to fully plan out the future no matter how much time or energy is put in. There is only so much we can plan for in a world full of everlasting change. Being okay with the unknown is essential in almost every aspect of life.
- Overthinking Leads to Undesirable Outcomes
- Thinking too much rarely solves the problems or issues we find ourselves worrying about. Spending unnecessary time thinking about the what-ifs takes time away from valuable action and planning.
- Success Rarely Comes From a Straight Path
- Any worthwhile form of success often does not come along a straight and narrow path. Ups and downs as well as turns and obstacles are common on any journey towards achieving something substantial. An uncomplicated path does not typically offer much longevity.
- Life Always Throws Curveballs
- Things do not go exactly as envisioned and planned throughout most of one’s life. There will always be unforeseen events and circumstances that force someone to adapt sooner than later. Curveballs can lead to situations that are essential to experience.
- Heartbreak Comes in Many Forms
- In almost every type of media and entertainment outlet, heartbreak coincides with romance. However, heartbreak is not limited just to romantic aspects. Friends and family break hearts and sports teams constantly do the same.
- Nobody Wins Without Adversity
- Before any type of worthwhile or long-lasting success comes failure. Some of the best in virtually every profession have failed countless times before rising to the top of their respected field. Adversity builds character that becomes essential to become a winner of any type.
- Everything Can Go Right and Things Still Might Fail
- Sometimes things don’t work in our favor for many reasons. Failure can for many reasons outside of our control. Undesirable outcomes sometimes happen for no explainable reason.
- Watch Who You Call a Friend
- Friends can make or break your social life. With the rise of social media, it seems like our social circles increase exponentially just by knowing more people. However, online “friends” do not come close to the magnitude of real friendships. True friends never make you question their loyalty.
- Take Time for Yourself
- We live in a world that constantly praises hyper-productivity and constant work. It is necessary to avoid burn out when possible. Whether it is reading a book, watching a show or game, or spending time with quality people, there are plenty of ways for someone to take time for themselves to relieve stress and anxiety.
- The Best Things in Life Can’t Be Bought
- Love, happiness, joy, and peace are just a few intangible things in life that cannot be bought. Money can definitely make life easier, but it cannot buy happiness outright. Intangible aspects of life are far more valuable than any materialistic good in the world.
- Focus on the People Who Support You
- In a world that can seem cold and selfish, it is essential to focus on the people in life who support you and do so openly. Support is necessary to get through any sort of adversity in life. Any amount of support should not be taken for granted.
- Keep the Family Close
- Friends come and go, but family is forever. Family is not limited to blood, but instead it is defined by loyalty and undeniable support for an extended period of time. A valuable lesson to never forget is that a healthy life requires a healthy family.
- Don’t Be Afraid of Change
- One of the few constants in life is change. Sometimes change can be for the better or for the worse, but it will always be present. Why resist change that is bound to happen?
- Success is Subjective
- There are no set measures for success in life. Like many preconceived notions, success is not solely calculated by monetary value. Success may be subjectively based on umerous aspects like health, happiness, relationships, and overall well-being.
- Life Isn’t Fair
- If life was fair everyone would have equal opportunities to achieve everything they want to. There’s no reason to dwell on unfairness especially since there is little we can do to change the unfair aspects. It is better to focus on the good and push through when life treats us unfairly.
- Distance and Silence Reveal True Colors
- One of the most insightful lessons I have learned rather recently is the fact that distance and silence often reveal one’s true colors. It is easy to tell the well-being of a relationship when someone is around on a regular basis. Distance and silence shows who is loyal and trustworthy over time.
- Comparison Kills Joy
- To compare yourself to others often leads to self-doubt and less overall self-confidence. Everyone’s life is different with different circumstances. The only person to compare to is previous versions of yourself.
- Money is Far from Everything
- One of the most valuable lessons in my life so far is to never forget how money does not mean everything. Money will never buy happiness. Issues still persist and new ones will arise no matter how much money someone possesses.
- Alone Time is Essential
- Everyone needs alone time for numerous reasons. Introverts, like myself, typically need it more often than others. Alone time can be extremely beneficial to recharge and learn new things about yourself as well.
- Be Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable
- Any type of worthwhile and/or long-lasting growth does not occur in the comfort zone. Uncomfortable situations and circumstances lead to improvement in numerous aspects of life. It is essential to get out of the comfort zone to reach new heights and learn valuable lessons.
- An Active Mind Needs an Active Body
- A healthy human needs to keep both the mind and body active as much as possible. One cannot stay stagnant while the other gets all the attention. All aspects of the body need some sort of exercise.
- Never Force Anything
- What is meant to be in life will find its way to you. There’s no reason to force anything that does not come naturally. Stay open to new experiences that can shape your future significantly.
- Be Forgiving
- To forgive does not mean to forget. Sometimes we have to forgive the people closest to us more than we would like. Be forgiving as nobody is a perfect human being.
- Appreciate Your Journey
- Life can be exciting, frustrating, amazing, and sometimes even confusing. The journey teaches indispensable lessons that help guide us through life. It is essential to take time to appreciate your individual journey as life goes on.
A lot of great lessons here! Getting out of my comfort zone is something I got to start doing more.