As this year has come to an end, I want to reflect on my past 23 years and share some important life lessons learned along the way.
Although it had been over a span of 23 years, I’ve really been living inside my bubble the majority of my childhood and teenage years. This list consists mostly of lessons I learned over the last 3 years or so as I started living more mindfully, being more honest with myself, and embracing my fears head on. Hope that you will find this list helpful.
#1: Everything is meant for you. You will always be on path.
I struggled so much with uncertainty when I was in high school and college. I was scared of making the wrong choice and be “out of path”. I put so much burden and stress on myself. In retrospect, I would have told myself to just follow my curiosity, instead of desperately figuring out if I’m on the right path or not.
Make choices according to what makes you feel good, stop thinking so much and just do it. No matter what decisions you make, it will always be your own unique path and a path you’ve created for yourself. You are always on path. Believe in yourself more.
#2: Health is wealth, and this includes mental health too.
Having a healthy body is such a blessing. Developing a healthy mindset will also help you go a long way. I spent the past two years confronting and questioning many of my negative thoughts, self-limiting beliefs, and adjusting my scarcity mindset. The more you can develop a healthier relationship with yourself, the more you can think bigger and truly create the life you desire.
#3: You’ll feel freer once you let go and forgive.
Holding on to grudges is like taking poison and waiting for your enemy to die. Choosing to let go and forgive not because of others, but because you deserve to be free. This journey hasn’t been easy for me. But once I truly let go I felt that my power and freedom came back to me. I am in control of my own feelings and emotions. You can too.
#4: Self awareness is the first step to improving your life.
All types of change and growth first begin with being more aware of yourself. Why are you doing what you’re doing? Why do you feel this way? How can you bring more joy and love into your life? What are your strengths and weaknesses? Ask yourself lots of questions and learn more about yourself.
Related: 3 Personality Tests to Help You Understand Yourself
#5: Everyone will have opinions, and you need to filter them.
I learned this the hard way. I used to be a people pleaser. I listened to others’ opinions and favored their choices over mine. Everyone will have opinions on how you should live your life. Yet at the end of the day, this is your life and you are the one living it. Filter out the noise, hone in on what your heart really wants to do.
#6: Learn to manage your relationship with social media and you’ll improve how you see your life.
At this digital driven age, intentionally consuming and using social media is so important. I went on a social media cleanse for three months, and I’m not exaggerating when I said this act changed my life.
#7: Say no when you don’t feel like it.
Seriously, just do it. Protect your space, time, energy and spend them on things that help elevate you instead. Life is too short to just go with the flow and trying to make everyone happy except for yourself. Know your priorities, then decline the offer nicely. If those people care about you, they will understand.
#8: Less is more
Less is more, for everything. Quality over quantity. Less network of friends, more in-depth connections. Less consumerism, more high quality products. Less clutter, more space physically and mentally. Delete the things (thoughts, ideas, people) that no longer serve you to create room for new opportunities to flow in.
#9: Listen to your intuition.
Follow that “gut feeling” more. Often times, we already have the answer inside us, but it’s just being buried up by our ego, logical thoughts, and all the outside noise. Living a daring life is about having the courage to follow our intuition, even if it’s only a soft whisper, and choosing to live how you really want to live.
#10: No one will want you to achieve your dreams more than you do.
Whenever I had self doubts, I used to look to others for their support and justification of my own actions. But at the end of the day, they’re not you. They don’t want you to achieve your dreams as much as you do. You MUST believe in yourself the most. You MUST be your BIGGEST cheerleader and #1 supporter at all times.
#11: People don’t really care about you as much as you think they do. They’re all busy caring about themselves.
No one is judging and following your every move. You are not the center of their world. So care less about what other people think and start focusing on yourself and just keep working on your craft. Stay in your own lane.
#12: Instead of complaining, do something about it.
Listen to podcasts. Learn more about yourself. Take one small step forward every day because they do build up. Actions are always better than just talk.
#13: Your past does not define you. Your future does.
And you can make it however the heck you want.
#14: Be patient & trust yourself.
You have to believe and trust that it is the right timing in your life. You are at exactly where you need to be. Trust that it will all work out. Have lots of faith and hang in there. You will be just fine.
#15: How you treat yourself is how others will treat you.
Like-minded people attract each other. You attract what you portray out to the world. Treat yourself with kindness, acceptance, and love. In return, you will expect to receive nothing but these same gestures back from others. However, if you constantly talk down to yourself, you will attract negative/ toxic people into your life to justify your own insecurities about yourself. It’s a dangerous loop to be in. Do not go there.
#16: Lean in to what scares you because those are usually things you need to do.
Sometimes, it is the kind of fear that’s mixed with excitement. Those are the fears you should notice and be aware of. You are scared because they are important to you. Take actions and do it DESPITE the fear.
#17: Not everyone will be kind. Be kind anyway.
Cheers,
Shir
Did you enjoyed this list of life lessons? Which one(s) can you relate to?
Shirley Huang is a Certified Life Coach, Podcast Host, and online educator. She provides weekly resources to help people become leaders in their life, while loving themselves and having fun a long the way. Check out her Life Coaching Programs here.
This was an amazing article that made me to thing about my own life and I must say that I agree with every word you wrote! Thank you for it Shir!
I’m so glad you can relate Veronica. Thanks for the lovely message!