9 Life Lessons I Learned In 2022
2022 is one of my most unpredictable years. A year full of hopes, trials, uncertainties, and discoveries. In February, I was shocked when a member of my family was diagnosed with cancer.
After hearing the news, I had to rewrite my plan. There are many things I need to adjust, let go of, and eliminate from my agenda this year. It wasn’t an easy moment. But no matter what happened in life, good or bad, life must go on. That’s the way life is.
“Though nobody can go back and make a new beginning… Anyone can start over and make a new ending.” ― Chico Xavier
In life, lessons can come in all shapes and forms. Here are 9 lessons I learned this year:
1. No one cares about what you do until you reach a milestone
Have you ever worried when you start or sell something? Maybe you change jobs or start a new business and sell products. In the beginning, you may feel awkward. And other people may look at you with a thousand questions. They may have these questions in their mind. “What does this person actually do?”
If you find yourself in this situation, it’s normal. Go ahead and get comfortable with it. It takes time to build something. Be it a habit, a business, or a brand. Trust yourself and what you are doing. When you reach a milestone, big or small, people will notice.
The moon is the first milestone on the road to the stars. Arthur C. Clarke
2. When one door closes another opens
Have you ever hesitated to leave something, be it a job, a friendship, or a place? Even though you knew that all these things are not good for your mental health and well-being?
As we get older, we are more afraid to take a risk. Unlike in our lives when we were in our early 20s. There are a lot of things that need to consider. I have found myself in this situation a few times and it was not comfortable. But I learned that my fears were only based on my doubts. It almost never happened.
Sometimes you need to let go of certain things, people, or situations that are not good for you, to create new opportunities to come.
Now, this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning. — Winston Churchill
3. Every success and achievement begins with a single step
In this age, we live an instant life. But the truth is that there is no success and achievement that instant, except for those who won the lottery and became rich in one night.
Everything takes work, whether physical or mental. It starts with a single step in every process and journey in what you do. And the results can take weeks, months, or years, depending on how much effort we put in.
“Great things have small beginnings.” — Francis Drake
4. Get out of your comfort zone, be bold and share your voice
For many years of my life, I have tried to be invisible. I don’t like being the center of attention. And I like to have a private life. It was the pandemic in 2020 that forced me to express myself and my thoughts online.
I had so many doubts when I started writing my blog. What will other people think about me later? Especially my friends and former colleagues? But the more I did, the more comfortable I felt.
Sometimes your anxiety is lying to you. People are too busy with their lives and most of them also worry about what others think about them. Have the courage to express yourself and step out of your comfort zone.
As you move outside of your comfort zone, what was once the unknown and frightening becomes your new normal. — Robin S. Sharma
5. Share your work with the world, you will never know when the opportunity will come your way
The way we work and connect is different than it was 10 years ago. After the global pandemic, there is a lot of innovation in different companies and organizations. People around the world can see your work even if they never meet you in person.
If you feel that what you do can help others and improve their lives, do not hesitate to share it. It can be blogs, books, products, and services. The opportunity may not come now, but later or at a moment you don’t expect. If they find you and feel that what you offer is something they need and that matches their value, they will contact you.
Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality. ― Dalai Lama XIV
6. Believe in yourself even if you have no one to support you
What you think and what other people think are different. We also have different life experiences and goals. Some people understand you, others do not.
When you start something, whether it’s a business, learning a new skill, or a part-time job, sometimes no one will support you, including your family and friends.
Here is the hard truth you should know. People worry when you become a different person than the one they knew before. They may love you, but that does not mean they will support you. If you are in this situation and trust in what you are doing, then believe in yourself in this process.
There are ups and downs, but whatever happens, you have to trust and believe in yourself. — Luka Modric
7. It’s not about how much you do, it’s about what matters most
People are busy being busy. Sometimes I find myself in that situation. But I wonder if I am busy with something that is important or if I am reacting to whatever comes my way. What is actually my priority?
My priorities this year are my health, family, etc. How about you? For some people, career is more important than health. For others, friendship may be more important than money.
Everything we do is usually based on our values. But not everything we do is important. Some activities are better not done or delegated to others.
It is quality rather than quantity that matters. — Lucius Annaeus Seneca
8. Some problems are opportunities in disguise
Have you ever found yourself in a stressful situation? For example, a relationship breaks up, full of a project deadline, loss of direction and jobs, etc. A crisis in your life can bring out both the worst and the best in you.
It can also awaken something in you that you do not even know exists. At that moment, you can find many opportunities and discoveries in your life. In the beginning, it was not easy, but in the long run, it will get better.
Opportunity often comes disguised in the form of misfortune, or temporary defeat. Napoleon Hill
9. Remember why you started
It is easy to start something. But when it comes to continuing the journey and the process, it’s a different story. It’s the same as when you start a business, try new habits, learn new skills, or enter into a new relationship.
The first moment will be full of enthusiasm and excitement. But it’s only commitment that keeps it going. Some people stop in the middle, turn to new things, and move on to a new person (unless the relationship is toxic, then you have to move on), etc.
Life is not always rainbows and sunshine. Whenever you feel bored or tired, you can take a break or rest for a while. But remember why you started.
Beginning is easy, Continuing is hard. – Japanese Proverb
In Conclusion
Sometimes the weather in our lives can be unpredictable. There may be a storm, a bright day, or a rainy day. Even if we cannot predict the weather, we can at least control how we react to situations.
There are no instant things in life. All major milestones in life take a process and time to achieve. Along the way, you may feel tired and lonely, wondering whether it is worth continuing. Yet, always remind yourself and look at the reasons why you started.
What is the best lesson you learn in 2022?
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