I’m approaching 35 this year and although I may not particularly like getting older, I do like getting wiser.
During my 30 plus years on this planet my experiences have taught me a lot – that includes making a lot of mistakes, bad decisions, pain and heartache. As hard as it’s been it’s all shaped me, understand more about myself and learn more about others.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing and I often think how differently I would have done things if I knew then what I do now, but hey that’s all part of growing up, right?
If I could turn back the clock though, here are 20 things I wish I’d known when I was younger……
1. There is a difference between real friends and convenient friends
Learn who they are. Make time and cherish the real ones – you are unlikely to have many of them.
2. Be nice
I’m not saying you have to agree with everyone, like everyone or be a pushover. But do you know what, you can stand up for yourself, not like people, not agree with everyone and STILL be nice about it.
3. Exercise
Not just to lose weight or get fit (although it helps), but to release those happy hormones. You really do feel so uplifted after a good workout.
4. Take more risks
More often than not, looking back people only regret what they didn’t do in life, rather than what they did and might have got wrong. You never know what you might be able to achieve unless you take that risk and try……
5. Be thankful
There are always people worse off than you, so stop focusing on what you might not have, or be, and be thankful in life for everything. For your friends, your family, your health, the roof over your head and the coat on your back. When you look for it you actually have a lot to be thankful for. Once you start to be truly grateful for everything you have you will also notice how much happier you are.
6. Don’t live in the past
You can’t change it, you can only learn from it. Move on and make changes in your present.
7. Never stop learning
I don’t mean academic learning, although that’s good too. I mean don’t ever stop letting your experiences teach you things so you can continually improve yourself. I’m hoping in another 10 years I can write this list again with a load of extra things I’ve learnt.
8. Find a job you love
You know the saying “Find a job you love and you will never work a day again in your whole life”. It’s true. Life is too short to spend 8 hours a day doing something you don’t love.
9. Pain makes you happier in the long run
Because you can’t begin to appreciate good times until you have been through the bad.
10. Give yourself a break
I think most of us are inclined to give ourselves a hard time – we constantly bash ourselves that we aren’t pretty enough, aren’t slim enough, that we should be doing more, achieving more or liked more. Stop it! You are enough. Stop the judgement, expectation and self hate.
11. Enjoy the small things in life
A big cliche but oh so true. It then makes the big things in life seem even more awesome!
12. Make time for others
The one most precious thing you can give someone (that doesn’t cost a penny) is your time. Invest it wisely in your friends and family.
13. No one can make you happy but yourself
You are responsible for your own happiness. If you rely on others to make you happy you will only end up disappointed.
14. You won’t please everyone and not everyone will like you
But that’s OK. Don’t take everything personally. You don’t like everyone so how can you expect everyone to like you.
15. Forgive
It only only eats you upside. By holding onto anger, bitterness or hatred you are only harming yourself. Do yourself a favour and let it go.
16. Stay Positive
Look for the positives every day, it really will make you happier – even if you have to look a little harder some days.
17. Have empathy
Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.
18. Sometimes we miss the memories more than we miss the person
And confusing the two can cause problems for the heart. Understand the difference.
19. Compliment people
It feels good to bring a smile to someone’s face and it’s so easy.
20. A good sleep, listening to cheesy 80’s songs and eating chocolate makes everything better
Like, seriously, it does a lot for the soul.
A bit of a different post from me, but I hope you liked it…….
What I’m wearing
Top: New Look (last year)
Black skinny jeans: New Look
Heels: Dorothy Perkins (old)
Jewellery: JewelleryBox.co.uk
Bag: Gucci
Photography: Fordtography
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