The older we get, the more we learn. The more we progress through life, and the more good and bad times we experience, the more we evolve as people.
I realised this more than ever in the last year. I had a lot of ups, as well as a lot of downs.
That said, life’s all about learning how to dance in the rain instead of waiting out the storm! And any bad experience is always a good experience if it teaches you something. Right?
If we’re being specific, here are 10 important life lessons I learned at the age of 27.
1. Live for the Moment
Life lessons 101: life is subject to change at any given moment. You have to appreciate what you have while you have it and live for the present.
Why? Well, because you never know when your whole world might be turned upside down.
For instance, my family and I were all set to have our usual wonderful Christmas at home, full of our favourite food, things and traditions, until we learned that my Uncle John had been hospitalised two days before Christmas Day.
As a result, we had to spend our entire festive period doing hospital runs across the country because he lives on his own and didn’t have anyone close by to care for him.
Even though this was really tough to deal with at the time, it showed me that you should enjoy life while you can – and don’t ever take things for granted. You just never know what’s around the corner.
2. Appreciate Every Opportunity
In addition, you have to make the most of each and every opportunity that comes your way.
My sister and I were both without jobs at the beginning of the year (we’d quit them earlier in 2016 to travel). Therefore, we decided to book a month-long trip around Thailand.
If I hadn’t travelled around Thailand, I wouldn’t have read “The 4-Hour Work Week.” If I hadn’t read “The 4-Hour Work Week,” I wouldn’t have had the career epiphany that made me want to start my freelance writing business.
And if I hadn’t started my freelance writing business, I wouldn’t be half as happy as I am now.
Essentially, everything had a knock-on effect and led me to the place where I am today. And this is all because I embraced and appreciated every opportunity that came my way.
3. Follow Your Dreams
2017 has also taught me to not only follow my dreams but dream big.
That’s right, folks – the sky’s the limit!
It’s so important to have goals that you want to achieve in life. Don’t just sit and let life pass you by. Otherwise, you’ll wake up at 80 years old and realise that you’ve got nothing to show for your time on this wondrous earth.
I mean, there were a few people who frowned at me when I told them I was going to be a freelance writer.
Sure, most people don’t understand it (I didn’t either to start with). And I could have listened to their doubts and let them hold me back, but I chose not to.
Why? Because I’m ambitious and determined to make my business a success. After all, I’m going after my #LifeGoals – and you should too.
4. Have Faith in Yourself
Another one of those important life lessons is to believe in yourself and make things happen. After all, nobody else is going to live your life for you.
I could have given up every time I came across an obstacle when I started my business, but I didn’t. And I’m so glad I kept going.
Like I said before, I’m the happiest I’ve ever been since the launch and that’s because I’ve had to learn to roll with the punches.
Don’t get me wrong, it has been challenging at times, but getting through these challenges has made me even stronger as a human being.
5. Only Invest in People Who Invest in You
I’ve learned this lesson the hard way recently when a so-called “best friend” was only too happy to disappear out of my life without a trace. I’m now adamant that I’m not going to give someone 100% if they’re only going to give me 50% back.
Sure, I understand that everybody has their own things going on and sometimes you’re not always able to give your loved ones 100% of your attention.
That said, relationships should be equal with both sides making the same amount of effort. Otherwise, what’s the point?
6. Don’t Dwell on the Negative
What else have I learned in terms of life lessons? Only spend time with positive people.
Full disclosure, I’ve been around so many negative people in the past and it’s exhausting.
But this year, I made an active effort to stop spending time with these types of people and hang around with those who made me feel good.
Wonderful things happened thereafter. Essentially, I found that this simple practise had a positive impact on my mood and my outlook on life.
7. Everybody is Human
One of those other important life lessons: sometimes it’s easy to forget that everybody is human at the end of the day (and I’m also guilty of this!).
I can’t do the impossible, and nor can my loved ones, so I shouldn’t expect so much of people all the time.
I’ve definitely learned to be more accepting of situations now that I’m 27. People often have a reason of acting the way that they do. And as emotions influence behaviour, it’s hard to judge someone unless you know the full extent of what’s going on in their life.
We all make mistakes and struggle to get things right all the time. It’s a part of life. Sometimes you just have to forgive, forget and move on. Right?
8. I’m Stronger Than I Realise
Not many people know this, but I had a substantial health scare at the beginning of 2017. I kept getting headaches where it felt like I was being hit over the head with a cricket bat (not fun).
Therefore, I had to have lots of tests and an MRI scan to determine whether I had a serious health condition.
Luckily, everything came back clear, but something like this sure does put life in perspective.
Faced with adversity, you can either choose to fight or flight. I chose to fight, and it made me realise how much of a tough cookie I actually am.
9. When You Know He’s the One… You Just Know
This little nugget may be a cliche, but it’s the absolute truth.
Now that I’ve found my one, I’ve never been more certain that I’m going to marry him one day. (Sure, he lives in the USA right now, but what’s life without a plot twist?)
I just have a connection with Nathan that I haven’t had with anyone else in my life ever. Therefore, I’m adamant that he’s the one I’m meant to be with.
It’s made me realise that it’s true what people say: when you find true love, you will know. Be sure to hold onto it with both hands.
10. Be Grateful for Your Life and What You Have
Finally, out of all the life lessons I learned at 27, this is up there with the most important.
I’ve realised that life is a gift. It’s precious and it needs to be nurtured.
And this is all thanks to the benefits of travelling while you’re young.
Count your blessings every day that you live where you live and have what you have, because you never know when your situation might change. Live life to the fullest and don’t be afraid to go after what you want. This is not a dress rehearsal!
Life Lessons I’ll Never Forget
All in all, even though I learned a bunch of life lessons this year, there was definitely an overarching theme.
In essence, it’s imperative to appreciate the time that you have left on this beautiful planet.
Life’s short. Spend time with the people who matter. And love fiercely while you can.
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