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The sneaker world thrives on consumption and more specifically overconsumption. New sneakers come out on a daily basis and constantly restock, re-release, and retro. Anyone can find out when the next Air Jordans or Yeezys are coming out with a simple Google search. Finding balance in sneakers is difficult, but not impossible.
Consumption of Sneaker News and Stories
No longer a subculture, sneakers are constantly covered in the news and latest stories. Sneaker news is ubiquitous and new stories come instantly with the help of social media. Although instant news can be beneficial, there are downsides to consider as well.
Overconsumption of sneaker news is rather easy. One search for a particular pair leads to a search for another colorway which might lead to a story of PJ Tucker’s latest rare sneaker pickup. Sneaker photos, videos, opinions, reviews, shopping vlogs, and stories are in no shortage. Anyone can research sneakers and become knowledgeable rather quickly with all of the information on sneakers available on the internet.
While it is easier than ever to learn more about sneakers, more doesn’t always mean better. The sneaker world doesn’t need fifty plus of the same sneaker review on YouTube. At the same time, sneakers could vastly benefit from original stories and more independent opinions. Following the pack tends to be the theme and overall message of many sneaker stories and news topics in today’s sneaker world.
Consumption of sneaker news and stories must be consumed in moderation just like any other type of news. A full day of sneaker research won’t make an expert. Experience teaches more than consumption of the same old sneaker write ups. Intriguing and original sneaker stories obviously benefit sneakers immensely, but these unique and independent narratives are often underappreciated. Sneakers will become more genuine and wholesome when news and stories are’t manufactured and replicated on a constant basis.
Finding Balance in Sneaker Shopping
An endless supply of sneaker releases follows with countless opportunities for sneaker shopping. New retail, boutique, and secondhand stores pop up in new areas all the time. You could find yourself in the middle of nowhere in Montana and still not be far from a sneaker shop.
Sneaker shopping has evolved with the internet and more recently social media. Before the pandemic, countless stores were still having in-person releases on a weekly basis. Now, there might be one in-person drop out of every ten or so sneaker releases. The days of lining up and waiting for sneakers outside stores are dwindling and may be gone for good in the future.
It’s easier than ever to buy a pair of sneakers either in-person or online. Selections are endless and ads continually pop up like annoying flies. It’s essential to find a balance in sneaker shopping otherwise someone may find themselves with sneakers they rarely wear or might not even like to begin with.
FOMO (fear of missing out) is a huge deal in sneakers. After missing out on an initial drop, collectors and resellers all over rush to pay exorbitant prices for a particular pair. At the end of the day, more sneakers will come out in the near future. Sometimes it may be better to wait to find a pair that will be appreciated and worn regularly rather than making an impulsive sneaker purchase. Finding balance in sneaker shopping is all about delayed gratification and only buying what you truly appreciate.
Navigating life isn’t a walk in the park. Anyone can act like they have everything together, but few actually have their priorities straight and have some things together. The most successful people in the world cannot truthfully say they have everything figured out at every waking moment.
Life is a journey that cannot be taken for granted. From personal experience, there are countless ups and downs. However, life is more about how you react to what happens to you rather than what actually happens in the first place.
Master Your Emotions
Emotions can make or break you when you find yourself navigating life. Emotions bring out the best and worst in people. Many individuals hold huge misconceptions about feelings and emotions. They are alike, but nowhere near the same thing. You can feel something and then experience a different emotion not related directly to that feeling.
Master your emotions comes when you learn to clear your mind. Most humans haven’t mastered the art of letting thoughts come and go. In the age of social media and overconsumption, nearly every person with internet access is over-bombarded with news, stories, opinions, and ads on a constant basis.
It’s easy to feel overstimulated or overwhelmed when consuming endless hours of any type of media today. Clearing the mind requires a commitment to let thoughts come and go naturally. It’s much easier said than done and can only be learned through experience. Nobody can clear your mind for you.
Having control over emotions sets someone up for future success in almost every aspect of life. Emotions tend to cloud judgement; both positive and negative emotions can poorly affect judgment and reasoning. Rationality comes when one learns how to master their emotions and by not letting natural emotions get the best of them in countless situations.
Navigating Life: Blazing Your Own Path
When someone says they are figuring things out, they often mean they don’t know what they want to do in life and what purpose they want to serve on Earth. Outside influence heavily affects everyone who has at least some sort of social interaction with others on a normal basis. Sometimes, individuals get so caught up with finding a path that they fail to create their own path throughout life.
Nobody can live your life for you. So why do people constantly do things to please others?
Fear, rejection, embarrassment, and failure all stop millions of people from doing what they truly want to do in their lifetime.
Navigating life comes with success and failure in countless ways. Blazing one’s own path is a necessity to living a life with purpose and fulfillment. Nobody should tell someone else how to live their life. However, others are constantly harping over their family and friends by giving unsolicited advice and strong suggestions regarding life paths. At the end of the day, you have to create your own path and do what you want when navigating through the challenges of life.
Working On Yourself
Anyone who wants to achieve some sort of long-lasting and/or worthwhile success must realize how important self-growth is to every aspect of life.
Working on yourself is necessary when navigating through life. Anyone looking to improve cannot neglect themselves and their mental health. Working on yourself is a necessary journey for self-growth, reflection, and constant improvement.
Navigating life and working on yourself cannot be neglected. Both are necessary for each other to occur. Working on yourself comes when you navigate through life; navigating life requires you to work on yourself and be a constant grower in every aspect possible.
Sneakers hold countless stories beyond the materialistic and physical aspects. Some sneakers bring nostalgia while others invoke intense emotions and memories highlighting important experiences. Sneaker stories are no longer an addition to sneakers, but now these stories are necessary for a well-rounded and respected release.
Storytelling in Sneakers
Storytelling and sneakers have been a complementary duo since the existence of sneakers. They aren’t just shoes. They tell stories that a regular pair of shoes would never have the chance of telling. Sneakers go beyond the physical; they often invoke feelings of nostalgia, belonging, and purpose.
Sneaker stories bring countless enthusiasts together that would have been strangers otherwise. People whose lives would never have crossed paths get connected through the stories and experiences that sneakers provide on a constant basis.
Sneaker brands all over the world retro sneakers because they’re nostalgic and tell stories that words don’t have the power to explain to the fullest extent. Nobody would buy sneakers that come out in similar versions if they had no significance, meaning, or social impact/influence.
Sneaker Stories and Social Influence
Nobody cares about the cookie-cutter sneakers that don’t tell anything beyond the sneaker itself. Sneakers should extend beyond the materialistic aspect; a solid pair of sneakers has to cross multiple dimensions of art and creativity.
Social influence comes over time and cannot be manufactured. Social history comes with influence over time. The best sneaker brands have mastered the art of story telling and amassing immense social influence worldwide. The same story means the same thing globally; the best sneaker stories remain true to their historical and social impacts no matter how much time has passed.
Sneakers go far beyond the sneaker world. They often cross into music, sports, art, and obviously fashion. Sneaker history is part of much wider histories like those mentioned. Sneaker storytelling casts social influence amongst even individuals who aren’t well educated about sneaker history and footwear labels all over the world. Sneaker culture is no longer a subculture, but now plays a major role far wider than the sneaker world.
Sneaker Stories in Sports
Sneakers and sports have a long-lasting relationship that captures rich histories in both realms. Tons of people remember when basketball players used to wear Converse sneakers. Now, they wear sneakers from brands all over the world.
Sneaker stories in sports date back to the beginning days of sports. No matter the footwear used in a particular sport, sneakers have tons of influence on the sporting world globally. Sports like American football have been directly impacted by sneakers through numerous noticeable stories from labels, especially Nike, who has been known to be focused on other sports.
Basketball has without a doubt the richest sneaker history compared to every other sport known to man. From the story telling of Air Jordan to Nike Basketball’s rich history, there is no shortage of sneaker storytelling on the hardwood. Basketball’s relationship with sneakers remains complex and extremely close. Sneakers and basketball weren’t born together, but they will go hand in hand for eternity.
Sneaker Stories: Sneakers With Meaning
Since the first sneakers ever released until now, there has always been a storytelling element involved. Now, it is a requirement for sought-after sneakers to have some sort of story or deeper meaning attached to them. Materials only go so far. People often buy sneakers now because they are tied to a particular athlete or celebrity, they tell a story that resonates with a consumer personally, or they have nostalgic feelings toward a particular pair of kicks.
Sneaker stories aren’t going away anytime soon. The storytelling in sneakers has become essential to countless releases and the social impact of sneakers all over the world.
Relationships are complicated. People are complex. Life is confusing. Being selfish and unselfish don’t go together, but they do affect each other in countless ways.
Sometimes you have to choose yourself. However, finding the balance between being selfish and unselfish can be extremely challenging.
Finding Time for Yourself
Sometimes life requires you to actively find time for yourself. Between work, school, and time with friends/family/significant others, it may seem like we really don’t have much time to take a step back. Life won’t stop and wait around for you to find time for yourself.
Everyday holds new opportunities. People may choose to spend time with others for the majority of the day while others would rather spend time alone and enjoy some solitude. Finding a balance between being selfish and unselfish only gets more complicated as we age.
As we get older, priorities and responsibilities change. At the same time, it may be challenging to find time to appreciate yourself and enjoy solitude.
Life won’t wait for anyone. Finding time for yourself is all about having your priorities straight and handling your responsibilities. Creating that time without handling what needs to be done is immature and selfish. Unselfish behavior is appreciated in some cultures more than others. However, there’s a time and place to be selfish for personal reasons. Sometimes you can’t rely on others or need time to learn more about yourself.
Being Selfish and Unselfish
Although being selfish and unselfish are opposites, the two complement each other when balanced reasonably and efficiently.
Nobody that lives amongst other individuals can be selfish or unselfish 24/7/365. People who live in uninhabited areas cannot be unselfish if others aren’t around at all. On the other hand, humans who live in a community, no matter the size, cannot be selfish all the time.
People tend to move out of highly populated areas in an attempt to find more balance in their personal lives. No matter where one lives, as long as other humans are around, the dilemma of being selfish and unselfish will never end.
Anyone can say they are unselfish, but few actually prove so. Unselfish behavior comes from actions, nothing else. American society is often selfish overall and encourages selfish behavior; it takes conscious thoughts and actions to become an unselfish person. All unselfish people act selfishly from time to time.
Choosing Yourself in a Selfish World
Often, unselfish individuals may feel guilty for choosing what’s best for them. There’s a major difference between choosing what’s best for yourself and acting selfishly. Selfish behavior tends to harm or leave out others; choosing oneself stems from selfish acts for the greater good of oneself.
Although the world around us is usually selfish, we don’t have to join the selfish humans we constantly hear about and see routinely. Selfish people have no remorse and little to no regard for others. They rarely think about how their actions will affect others. Whether someone accepts it or not, their actions affect other people besides themselves. Some may benefit others while some directly or indirectly harm others. Unselfish people choose themselves because they know it’s impossible to remain unselfish all the time.
At the end of the day, if you don’t choose yourself, someone will take advantage of you one way or another. Countless people in this world are looking for the next person to get a one up on and benefit themselves with little regard for how their actions affect others. You have to find that balance between being selfish and unselfish. Choosing yourself may be selfish sometimes, but it doesn’t necessarily make you a selfish person.
The sneaker world is always bound to be interesting. News comes instantly and often gets old after a day or two. Twitter, now X, is one of the quickest forms of sneaker news. Everyone is scrolling on their phones while less are actively searching on the internet for sneaker news directly.
Sneaker news comes and goes just like any other type of news. Tomorrow’s latest story is already old. There’s always something going on in the world of sneakers.
Ye and Adidas Back in the Mix
Back in the news together. This once powerful and influential duo are now at each others’ necks. Kanye West, now known as Ye, has publicly stated his experience with Adidas and the German apparel and footwear brand’s wrongdoings throughout their relationship.
Ye has been known to have social media outbursts, but coming at a multi-billion dollar giant takes things to a different level. If the news about Adidas misleading the Chicago-based rapper turns out to be true, it would become another setback for the corporation. Adidas has been in struggle over the last few years in their decision to release or to not release the remaining Yeezy stock. Since formally ending their relationship, the once powerhouse duo has relatively stayed out of each others’ hair.
Now, the business issues between both sides have become public quickly thanks to Ye’s recent social media posts regarding the matter. Ye publicly stated that Yeezy 350s are “corny” and has been encouraging Adidas fans to not purchase the remaining stock. Sneaker news outlets reported on the events between Adidas and Ye countless times over the past few years. However, things have turned sour rather quickly between Ye and Adidas. Any chance of a reunion is severed now. Ye will continue to push his independent brand while the three stripes will continue to look for a rebound.
Sneaker News: New Balance Takes Aim at #2
The news of New Balance’s booming sales brought even more well-deserved attention to the Boston-based apparel and footwear brand. Posting $6.5 billion in sales for 2023, the company saw a 23% increase compared to 2022.
New Balance saw $1 billion in sales from apparel, which is the company’s first time hitting the billion dollar mark in clothing sales.
The rise of New Balance has been in the making for decades. Once a niche and under-appreciated sneaker brand, the Boston-based label has seen more of itself in mainstream sneaker and overall media in recent history.
New Balance has been gaining popularity amongst younger crowds. With a noticeable increase in collabs and renowned signature athletes, NB has picked up tons of momentum with no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
As New Balance continues to be present in sneaker news all over the world, the future looks as bright as ever for the Massachusetts-based company. The footwear and apparel brand will continue to improve in virtually all aspects of its business. With Adidas fumbling Ye and no rebound in sight, New Balance is coming for the #2 spot with a sense of urgency.
Everyone knows how it is to wake up and look forward to a release you’ve been eyeing for a minute. As the release time inches closer, you start to think more about every possible scenario. Sneaker woes and online releases go hand in hand. Too many people know how it feels to miss out and feel hopeless with slim chances during certain online sneaker releases. A win or loss feels more dramatic when its a pair you want to wear endlessly.
Sneaker online releases often utilize different operating systems, sites, tricks, or none at all. Some companies take the time to make sure everything runs smoothly while others look to unload stock as quickly as possible. Sneaker releases are disproportionately online releases especially in recent times. Online releases are often easier and quicker for companies, but tend to be frustrating and hopeless for manual computer users.
Bots and the Lack Of Protection
If there was a sneaker dictionary, the term ‘bot protection’ would most likely have the most definitions. Not because it’s a complex term, but because of the fact that every sneaker online seller views bot protection differently.
Some companies are known to take better care of loyal customers than others. Some could care less who sneakers go to at the end of the day. Most aren’t as in touch with customers as they should be.
The lack of bot protection will always be one of the major sneaker woes. Nobody can beat a bot no matter how hard they try. An experienced sneakerhead can usually tell how much time and effort a company put toward bot protection rather quickly.
Bots are virtually impossible to beat manually; sneaker brands need to put bot protection high on their priority list if they want to keep loyal customers. Nobody wants to continue to support brands who don’t care about their most loyal fans.
Different Types of Online Sneaker Releases
All online sneaker releases aren’t built the same. Some favor bots while others favor human users. The debate of which type of release is best will be never ending.
Standard online sneaker releases typically seen on Footsites (Foot Locker, Champs Sports, etc.) heavily favor bots. The stock is made available as soon as the clock hits the release time and a free-for-all is unleashed. These releases basically have no bot protection and give human users little to no chance on hyped and sought after releases.
Another type of online release is the infamous SNKRS Draw. Although this isn’t common amongst other brands, it’s still one of the most utilized release types by Nike. Basically, a timer is set for users to enter into the draw before the system starts to select winners. This kind of online release allows both human users and bots to enter multiple times in a short window. Many people make numerous accounts (some buy accounts) to increase their chances of winning. Bots are still effective, but not nearly as much as first-come first-serve online releases.
The queue has become relevant and necessary in an attempt to handle bots as much as possible. Although queues, or virtual waiting rooms don’t deter bots completely, they attempt to slow them down if utilized correctly. Queues can be frustrating when it feels like you might have a chance. Looking at a waiting page increases the anticipation and ultimately the let down when the size is notified as sold out. Some queue releases favor bots because there’s little to no bot protection. Queue releases don’t act as protection alone, but can add to a strong bot protection system if utilized efficiently.
Online raffles have become increasingly popular as a way to limit the use of bots. Especially raffles that are live for multiple days, these releases are a hit or miss. More often than not, so many entries are placed that the odds of winning are closer to zero than one- and it’s not even close. Raffle bots allow users to enter multiples times in a short window. Even if a human user spent all day and night entering a sneaker raffle online, they still wouldn’t come close to the numbers a bot could put up.
Less Sneaker Woes: Hope for Change
Although online sneaker releases are often frustrating and sometimes demoralizing, there is still a reason to stay hopeful. Sneaker brands are becoming more aware of increasing and strengthening bot protection.
Some companies are larger than others and have immense resources. Despite resources not always being utilized to the fullest extent, there is still hope that brands can find a way to better use their resources to improve the conditions of online sneaker releases.
Online sneaker releases must change sooner rather than later. Countless sneaker enthusiasts around the world deserve a fair chance at buying pairs for personal wear. There is still hope that online sneaker releases can improve and become more fair for manual users looking to snag a hot pair of kicks.
Life is all about finding balance. Too much of anything, even some of the most healthiest things on Earth, can be destructive and detrimental. Even a life of moderation requires moderation. It’s okay to indulge time to time, but most of the time life should be balanced and equalized.
Balance is key to literally everything in life.
Finding Balance in Your Own World
Balance looks different for everyone. For some it may mean one cheat day per week, while others one cheat day per month or every other month. However, there will never be a blueprint to finding balance in life. Only you know what balance looks like and doesn’t look like in your life. Nobody can live it for you or make decisions for you all the time.
The world around us is often tempting to break free from any sort of balance or moderation. From food to social media to drugs and alcohol, we are constantly being fed information and ads that will tempt us to indulge and gorge ourselves of things we know should be kept in moderation.
Everyone’s world looks different. Balance is a general term that can’t be applied the same to every person or scenario.
Balance Compared to Moderation
Although balance and moderation are similar, they have noticeable differences that set them apart.
Balance has boundaries while moderation is open ended. Moderation means eliminating extremes and balance means finding the middle way or equilibrium. Just because something is used in moderation doesn’t necessarily mean it is balanced and vice versa.
Balance and moderation complement each other often, but aren’t mutually exclusive. One may have a balanced diet of healthy foods, but can still be struggling with moderation. Something consumed in moderation doesn’t automatically lead to balance.
Working on Finding Balance
Finding balance in life is never an easy feat. Even when people think they are “successful” and have “made it,” there is still tons of room for improvement. Anyone can think they live a balanced life, but few actually do the work and exert the energy required to do so.
A balanced life requires constant time and attention. Anyone who is looking to improve their life in some way or another should first look to build a balanced life. Your body is a temple and should be taken care of like on. Although balance goes far beyond the physical body, it has to start somewhere. Starting with the physical leads to improvement in other areas as well.
Life will never be balanced forever as perfection in anything is impossible all the time.
Jordan Brand releases timeless and classic models and colorways every year. A rather recent phenomenon is people purposely dyeing their sneakers to look “aged” has made its way to the largest scale possible. Air Jordans look amazing new but something about a perfectly aged pair hits different. Natural yellowing through oxidization is inevitable on countless pairs. Jordan Brand has capitalized on the aged look with their “reimagined” collection.
A few Reimagined Air Jordans stand out more than others because of the near perfect execution by Jordan Brand.
Air Jordan 1 Chicago Reimagined Lost and Found
The Air Jordan 1 Chicago is one of the most timeless and sought after Jordans of all time. You can even argue that the original Chicagos are one of the most coveted sneakers known to man. Especially since this Jordan only re-released twice (1994 and 2015) since its inception in 1985, the Lost and Founds were already a hit before they hit the market.
Although the Air Jordan 1 Chicago Reimagined Lost and Found isn’t labeled as a retro release of the original Chicagos, they are still a unique pair that combines specs from the 1985 and 1994 pairs. Cracked leather and slightly aged midsoles paired with the timeless black and red combo makes for a special release of the Chicago 1s.
Air Jordan 4 Bred Reimagined
The “Bred” colorway is one of the most iconic color blockings in Jordan history. Any time the black and red color blocking hits a timeless model, sneakerheads everywhere will rush to get their hands on a pair.
Some sneaker enthusiasts prefer specs as close as possible to original modifications. Others appreciate any version of timeless silhouettes.
Before the Air Jordan 4 Bred Reimagined officially released, many people had split opinions on the updated design. Many weren’t feeling the leather instead of the traditional nubuck on this pair. However, countless opinions changed once pairs hit hands earlier this month. A timeless look with a new twist makes for a unique version of the Bred 4s.
Air Jordan 3 Black Cement Reimagined
One of the best sneakers of all time and one of the best Jordans ever made. This classic will never go out of style. The Air Jordan 3 Black Cement is a timeless and recognizable pair of sneakers that will always be highly respected.
Rumored to release towards the end of the year, this pair will be highly sought after for sneakerheads all over. As long as the upper material doesn’t get changed from the classic leather, this release will be eyed by many. The reimagined release of the Black Cement 3s should be even more sought after than the similar rendition of the White Cement Jordan 3s.
I still have my 2018 pair and they are COOKED. I’ll be waiting patiently for this reimagined version of the Black Cement 3s.
This year I’m being intentional with my reading. Every book holds new opportunities to learn. Whether fiction or nonfiction, all of the books I read have been selected for specific reasons. Some of my latest reads stick out more than others. Never underestimate the power of a good book.
Mind Full to Mindful by Om Swami
When life feels like it’s always on ten speed, it’s essential to take time to slow down and appreciate what we already have. This book in my latest reads stood out to me for many reasons.
This book is based on original Zen teachings and offers interesting perspectives on life as a whole. Om Swami highlights the importance of energy flow and controlling it in a healthy manner. Breathing techniques are critical to controlling any type of energy- good or bad.
Even if someone doesn’t meditate, they can still learn from Zen techniques to handle life with greater confidence and become equipped with techniques that can help deal with the regular stresses of life.
Swami stresses the importance of taking care of one’s body- something that is often overlooked in a fast-paced culture. He adds that meditating cannot be the only way someone takes care of oneself. The physical body must be taken care of as much as the mind is cared for.
One particular chapter that stood out to me the most is titled “Life is a Flower.” Om Swami suggests to the reader to keep a fresh flower on one’s car dashboard. This flower will serve as a reminder that life is a blessing, no matter how we feel.
This book is highly recommended as it can be directly translated to everyday life. Anyone can learn from Zen even if they don’t meditate or think of themselves as a peaceful person.
“If you don’t value what you have, one day you will lose access to that thing” (30).
The Good Nurse by Charles Graeber
This book of my latest reads covers the true crime story of a nurse turned serial killer. Charles Cullen committed countless murders (so many that he doesn’t know the exact number) over his sixteen-year nursing career in New Jersey and Pennsylvania medical centers.
Cullen was arrested in 2003 after many years of abusing and ending the lives of numerous patients. The book highlights the process of tracking down Cullen and finding enough evidence to charge him with numerous crimes.
Also, the book covers Cullen’s personal life as it attempts to show how an average nurse turned to the “Angel of Death” over a decade and a half.
The book was released in 2013 and later inspired the Netflix movie of the same title in 2022. Although the movie doesn’t capture every detail, it’s still an accurate representation of the story told by Charles Graeber. Any true crime fans will love this book and will flock to the movie afterward.
Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan
Another one of my latest reads, this novel isn’t typically something that would choose on my own. However after a recommendation from my grandma, I decided to give it a chance.
If a book is so bad after a few chapters I’ll stop reading. However, this wasn’t the case with this book. Set in a small New Hampshire town, a single mother who is a beekeeper by trade finds herself in her worst nightmare.
The mother, Olivia, is faced with a dilemma that most wouldnt wish on their worst enemy. Her teenage son, Asher, was dating a girl named Lily, as they both went to the same high school. Both families’ worlds are flipped upside down when Lily unexpectedly dies. Asher is accused of murder and damn sure looks guilty throughout virtually the entire story.
Not the typical murder mystery, an unexpected twist comes that changes the whole trajectory of the novel. This read was refreshing and something different than what I would usually choose. I recommend this book to anyone interested in social issues and anyone looking for a unique story that makes them think beyond the surface level.
Life changes every year especially as you get older. Experience is often said to be the best teacher. I look forward to continuing this tradition every year on my birthday. Check back next year for another edition of valuable lessons.
Enjoy the list of some of my favorite valuable lessons this year.
1. Be Your Own Best Friend
Life constantly changes as do the people in your life. Relationships begin, shift and end unexpectedly. However, the one person that you will always have is yourself. You have to be content with being on your own from time to time.
Too many people rely on others for nonstop support and/or entertainment. Solitude is something that successful people all over the world seem to master. Being your own best friend is an essential key to living a fulfilling and worthwhile life.
2. Your Habits Are a Reflection of You
What you do on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly routine makes you who you are. If you spend all night watching tv and eating snacks, you can’t be surprised when your fitness goals aren’t achieved. On the other hand, if you go to the gym regularly and eat healthy, it shouldn’t be a surprise that you are in better condition than you were last year.
Habits are a reflection of a person. They show others who you are as a human. Someone who talks all day with nothing to show for isn’t usually seen as a trustworthy person. Working on yourself shows that you are dedicated to improvement. Habits form people; who they are now and who they will become are directly correlated to their regular habits.
3. Stay True to Yourself
So many things in life will try to knock you down or change you for the worse. The world around us may be confusing or frustrating at times, but this shouldn’t change who we are.
Changing for yourself is one thing. However, you should never change for someone/something else because of external factors. Humans are meant to change but shouldn’t be forced to change. Be who you are and stay true to yourself.
4. Solitude is Necessary (Even for Extroverts)
Everyone needs solitude from time to time. The world is moving so fast and doesn’t slow down for anyone. That doesn’t mean we can’t slow down our own worlds. Solitude is necessary to stay sane especially when life feels crazier than usual.
Nobody wants to be bombarded with life’s hardships all the time. Solitude helps bring peace back into the personal life. Sometimes a break is much needed especially with no distractions or external factors to cloud the mind.
5. If It’s Too Good to Be True, It Probably Is
This is one of the most important valuable lessons that I learned many years ago, but it’s too good to keep off this list. There are frauds and scams all over the world, especially since the internet has taken off at the beginning of this century.
Although this lesson is often tied to money, it can be applied to other aspects of life as well. For example, if a friend only hits you up for their benefit, then they probably aren’t a friend in the first place. Anything that seems too good to be true should be approached with caution before finally deciding if it’s legitimate or genuine.
6. Moderation is Key
Moderation is key to virtually everything in life. Obviously anything that could be detrimental to overall health should be limited- drugs/alcohol, social media, etc. However, even “good” things should be consumed in moderation as well. Too much of anything doesn’t help in the long run.
Living a life of moderation comes with times that break the moderation. Humans aren’t mean to be robotic. Sometimes we drink too much and feel it the next day. Sometimes we spend too much time scrolling on social media. Humans aren’t meant to be perfect. Even moderation requires moderation.
7. Never Expect Anything in Return
Doing a good deed shouldn’t come with an expectation of receiving something in return. Just because you gave a homeless guy $5 doesn’t mean something good will immediately come your way.
Good deeds lose value when they are done with the hope of getting something in return. When you do something beneficial to someone else, it should be left at that. Someone might or might not do something to your benefit that same day or shortly after. However, that thought shouldn’t cross the mind when doing something beneficial for someone else. Karma is real, but shouldn’t be on our minds 24/7.
8. Friends Change Constantly
Friends come and go like the seasons around us. Sometimes there is a falling out while others have two people grow apart. Just because someone isn’t your friend anymore doesn’t mean they hate you or you should hate them. Relationships of any kind don’t last forever. Friendships should be cherished for what they are presently.
Every friend comes into our lives for a reason. Sometimes we may never know that exact reason. However, friends make life better. A good friend brings joy and happiness. A great friend is irreplaceable and can never be replicated. Never take friends for granted; they all serve a purpose in our lives.
9. Watch What You Consume
Obviously you should watch what you eat and drink, but it doesn’t stop there. The shows you watch, the music you listen to, and the social media posts you look at all have an impact on your mind. Even if something is consumed as part of “rest,” it can still have a detrimental effect.
Limiting negative and ignorant comments, posts, and media as a whole has helped me stay grounded. Although it is inevitable that someone will be rude or disrespectful online, it’s essential to limit consumption of negative content of any form as much as possible.
10. Always Remain Humble
Life can be very humbling at times. We come across situations that make us feel bad about ourselves. However, these times don’t last forever. No matter how good life gets, it’s important to always remain humble. Things can change dramatically and even overnight.
There are too many stories of people literally losing everything they have. Staying humble keeps us grounded; never too high and never too low. No peak is tall enough to look past the valleys.
11. Nobody Ever Has Everything Figured Out
No matter how well someone appears to be living, they still have insecurities, confusing or frustrating relationships, and secrets that nobody knows about. Nobody ever has everything figured out. Even the most successful people in the world are still figuring things out one day at a time.
Life isn’t meant to be perfect. It can’t be planned out to perfection. It’s okay to not have everything figured out. Life goes on. Nothing will ever be fully “figured out.”
12. Rest is Essential
This may an obvious one to most, but some don’t realize how important rest is during any type of journey. Sure, someone can work nonstop. However, the quality of work will decrease drastically without rest and they will end up working harder and longer than they should have.
Nobody can work 24/7. Hustle culture can be toxic and portrays false images to the masses. Rest is necessary for any type of journey requiring time, energy, and effort. Rest is essential for many reasons. The most important reason is that humans need rest to be the best version of themselves.
13. Your Work Doesn’t Define You
Even if you love your job and/or the work you do, there is much more to define you as a person. One thing I hate about American culture is how much work is forced onto people. When Americans first meet, one of the first questions typically asked is what do you do?
People rarely answer the question by talking about their interests and hobbies outside of work. Being a lawyer or a doctor doesn’t define someone. A person has much more to tell their story than only through their occupation. One of the most important valuable lessons on this list is that work shouldn’t define who you are no matter how successful someone becomes or how much they like their work.
The world can seem negative enough on a regular basis. The news constantly shows negative news stories everyday. With enough negativity to last a lifetime, most people don’t want to hear or see any more negativity in their lives. Everyone has their own issues. It’s okay to be down as emotions are natural.
Negativity loves company. The negativity you put out into the world will only multiply. Exude positivity or at least stay neutral when the world around you seems nothing but negative.
15. Positivity Can Be Toxic
Now, this one may seem contradictory given the last lesson. However, it’s impossible to be positive 24/7/365. When positivity is forced upon others, it can become toxic. Positivity should come from conscious effort, not through force or power. Bad things are inevitable in life. Nobody should have to be positive all the time.
It’s natural to feel negative from time to time. Negativity and positivity are two states in life. One isn’t better than the other. Without one, the other cannot exist. Positivity is usually a good thing, but can be toxic when it gets forced onto people.
16. Nobody Can Do the Work For You
This one should be obvious, but it’s still important nonetheless.
Nobody can make it happen except you. Some people may help or set you up for success, but they can’t do the work for you. Even people who cheat their way in life learn this lesson. Nobody who cares for you will do the work for you. The only way to be successful and improve in life is by doing the work for yourself.
17. Success Requires Risk
Any sort of success requires some type of risk. Even if that risk is minimal and the consequences aren’t severe, it’s still a gamble that could go either way.
Nobody achieves success by playing it safe nonstop. Taking a calculated risk and taking a mindless risk are two completely different things. Success requires gambles from time to time. The most successful individuals don’t achieve their goals by sitting around waiting for opportunities to come their way.
18. Forgiving Is Necessary
Sometimes you have to forgive people who don’t deserve your forgiveness in the first place. Forgiving isn’t always for the person or people who committed the wrongdoing. Forgiveness often does more for your inner peace than it does for the other party.
Forgiving is necessary because it becomes easier to let go of hate and resentment. It isn’t healthy to hold onto hateful thoughts all the time. Sometimes you have to forgive others for your sake.
19. Sometimes You Have to Be Selfish
Now this isn’t about being selfish on a constant basis. Sometimes you have to choose yourself and be selfish to get what you want in life. If you go through life being unselfish all the time, you will get taken advantage of and fooled on multiple occasions. Valuable lessons like this one are often hard to learn especially for people who don’t want to be viewed as selfish.
Selfish acts don’t make someone selfish instantly. Selfish acts on a repeated basis with no regard for others makes someone selfish. Choosing to spend time on your own rather than going out with friends may be selfish, but is necessary at times. You have to do what’s best for yourself and sometimes that requires uncomfortable, selfish acts.
20. Remember Why You Started
Starting any type of worthwhile journey will inevitably come with obstacles and hardships. Remembering why you started in the first place helps you power through when you feel like giving up.
It may sound cliche, but having a strong “why” is more important that the “who,” or “what.” Keep your reason for starting in mind to stay balanced and remain grounded especially during times of struggle.
21. Learning Doesn’t Stop When School Ends
After high school and college for some, most people stop their formal education. Valuable lessons are all around when the mind is open to learning new things. Just because school ends, doesn’t mean learning has to come to a screeching halt as well. The world today provides countless outlets to learn everyday; there’s no excuse to stop learning when one is done with school.
People who don’t read are missing out on an essential way to learn and expand the mind. Reading is fundamental because it is one of the easiest and most accessible ways to learn in today’s age. Free books are readily available in libraries all over the world. Those individuals who stop learning when school comes to an end will find their mental states declining rapidly.
22. Your Time Will Come
If everyone achieved everything they wanted exactly when they wanted to, then life would be pretty boring and even meaningless. The journey is better than the destination. People who grow up with a silver spoon in their mouth often have a hard time adjusting to the real world because they live in a clouded environment. Everything won’t go your way all the time; the process of reaching a goal teaches more than achieving the goal itself ever will.
Your time will come. Patience is essential especially when you start feeling impatient. Those that keep their head down and stay determined will get what they want out of life.
23. Your Best Will Look Different Everyday
As humans, it’s natural to have ups and downs on this journey called life. Nobody is perfect, no matter how hard they try to be. Someone’s best may be 85% of their full potential today and only 50% tomorrow.
Countless factors play into what someone’s best looks like. Anyone can improve, but it’s impossible to keep robotic levels of production everyday.
24. Everyday is a Blessing
Everyday alive is a blessing. Sometimes we get so caught up in routines that we take daily privileges and blessing for granted. Even bad or down days can still be appreciated. One of the most valuable lessons in life is realizing the fact that time is the most valuable currency in the world as it can never be replaced.
Some people wish they could live a different life or make more money or become famous. However, nothing can be achieved if daily happenings are taken for granted. Everyday is a blessing because life is too short to take any moment for granted.
25. Happiness Comes from Within
One of the most valuable lessons I have learned in my twenty five years of life is the fact that happiness comes internally. Nothing can buy long-lasting happiness. Nobody can make you happy. Nowhere can give you the happiness you have been looking for.
You are the only person in the world who can bring yourself happiness. Being happy is a choice that nobody else can make except yourself.
