35 life lessons I learnt by age 35
Aug 9, 2017 · 4 min read

- You don’t need to do what everyone else is doing.
- It doesn’t matter if you don’t know what job you want to do straight away... age is a limit we impose upon ourselves.
- Most people’s “advice” involves them trying to impart their fears on you — you don’t have to take it all in.
- It is easier to avoid putting weight on (by eating well and moving), than it is to lose weight.
- Comparing yourself to other people makes you unhappy.
- You don’t have to be in a race with everyone else — it’s OK to go at your own pace. (Especially when it comes to jobs, marriage and kids.)
- Taking time out for yourself is important.
- Most things are not as bad as you think they will be. Try to get them done without overthinking it.
- Public speaking is a great skill to have. Practice it whenever you can.
- You might not enjoy working out, but it’s really good for your mental health.
- Wearing clothes you like and that suit you is an easy way to feel good.
- There is zero point focusing on things that are out of your control.
- Try to think of one good quality about everyone you know… whether you like them or not.
- You don’t have to be liked by everyone. Being authentic and “you” is easier on you and the people around you.
- For most of my twenties I had no idea what I was doing… and that’s OK :) It wasn’t a waste.
- Friendship is quality over quantity.
- Sending spontaneous gifts makes you and the other person feel great.
- We give up waaaay too soon. If it means something to you, keep going. Even when it seems pointless or like you’re not getting anywhere.
- Living a life that looks good on the outside, generally makes you feel shitty on the inside.
- Conversely, living a life that feels really, really good and makes your heart sing doesn’t always look that good or “movie-worthy”. It’s up to you to decide if that’s an issue for you :)
- The goal of life isn’t to be happy the whole time. In fact, I’d say that is almost impossible. It’s fed to us by advertisers — but it’s not attainable. Instead, go for a goal of discovering who you are, being true to yourself, and living from your heart.
- Everyone feels down from time to time. It’s totally natural. Sometimes it even lasts a day or two. (But if it lasts longer than that, get professional help.)
- Put your money where your mouth is. If you say you love to travel, do it. If you say you want to get fit, work out. You do have control on where you spend your time and money, so make it match up with YOUR priorities.
- No one has it all figured out. Even the people who look like they have it all figured out. They’re just good at pretending :)
- Working til I’m 65, in a job I don’t love, and THEN doing the things I want to do makes no sense to me. Why wait and risk getting to that point, when I have my health and energy now?
- Put the people you love before the people you feel “meh” about.
- Say yes to only the things you want to go to (or the things that are important to the people you love); it just makes everything easier.
- Someone who is having a good time and enjoying themselves is much more attractive than someone who is stunning but miserable.
- We never stop learning. Life is a never-ending lesson. Up to you if you want to take the lessons or not.
- It’s difficult to live from your heart and not do what everyone else is doing. But it is worth it.
- Your heroes are still just people. Which feels depressing at first. But then you realize it means that you can do exactly what they did (if you want).
- Everyone should volunteer for something at least once. Preferably for a length of time. It gives you perspective, like nothing else will.
- Compare down, not up. Hate your thighs? Wanna swop with someone who has lost both their legs..? Getting sick of your apartment? Wanna swop with someone who lives on the street..? Feeling like life has dealt you some bitter blows? Wanna be the person battling terminal cancer instead..?
- Sometimes you lose touch with people, and that’s OK. (People are in our life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.)
- Giving things away feels so much better than selling them. (Try it and see.)
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