In a couple of weeks I turn 30, and I must say, I’m really looking forward to it. It means goodbye to the ‘what the hell am I doing with my life‘ theme of my 20’s and hello to achieving goals, making plans and putting all the lessons I’ve learnt so far to use. I’m sure a lot of people would agree that during your early 20’s you don’t really have any idea about anything, and that was definitely true for me! While I was independent and driven to follow my dreams, I didn’t have the knowledge or experience to know how to go after them and make them a reality.
The defining moment for me in the last 10 years would have to be moving to the other side of the world. It’s pretty much made me everything I am today. During this time I’ve tried many jobs, travelled to over 25 countries, learnt how to be good with money and most of all, learnt to be true to myself – and I couldn’t be more thankful! So apart from the obvious lesson I’ve just divulged (TRAVEL!) here are 30 more that I’ve learnt in my first 30 years…and here’s to hopefully learning many more in the next 30!
- Most of the time, it’s not personal
- If it’s important, get it out of the way first
- It takes a lot longer than 21 days to form a habit
- You are not supposed to feel motivated 100% of the time
- You should always treat others how you would like to be treated, but know that sometimes you won’t always get the same in return
- You don’t have to look like a fitness model to be fit and strong
- Money may make you happy in the short term, but it’s not conducive to long term contentment
- Balance is hard
- You should always celebrate your successes, but embrace your failures too – both will help you be successful in the future
- Love isn’t always enough to make a relationship work
- Until the age of 25 you will probably have no idea what you are doing with your life, and that’s OK
- Get enough sleep
- It’s OK to be different to everyone else, and as you get older this will get easier
- Most responsible thoughts will disappear after 3 drinks
- Hangovers get harder every year after the age of 25
- Prepare for things to not go to plan 90% of the time
- Just because you believe something should happen, it doesn’t mean it will
- Most of the time, the only person who knows what’s best for you, is you…but don’t be stubborn if you know you are wrong
- A good relationship should be a balance of ease and effort
- Friendships change, but it doesn’t mean you are any less friends because of it
- If you don’t like something, change it
- Good flatmates are hard to find
- Learn to laugh at yourself
- Never let perfect get in the way of good
- You probably won’t discover what it is you want to do with your life until you are in your late 20’s, or even later
- Change is a good thing most of the time
- When you make a decision, trust yourself
- You don’t need a lot of possessions to live happily or healthily
- Not being true to yourself and your dreams or passions will catch up with you eventually
- You will ignore all of the above at many times in your life, and that’s OK (see number 23).
What are your most valued lessons in life?
Great Post! I love it! I can relate to all 30 of those. One of the great lessons I’ve learnt and just started to put into action is:
“You will over estimate what you can achieve in the short term but under estimate what you can achieve in the long term”
Small steady steps and progress towards a goal are the key to improvement.
Love this post! And I completely agree that moving half way across the world changes absolutely everything. I became location-independent in January and have learnt more in the last 9 months than I had in the 9 years before that!
I hear ya! So many of these make sense to me. I’m almost 29, just finally figuring out that writing is what I want to do with my life. And I really do agree that sometimes love isn’t enough to make a relationship work. Thanks
26. “Change is a good thing most of the time”
This one, could help alleviate so much stress in general. Everything changes like it or not. It’s how we roll with these changes that makes all of the difference.
This isn’t to say we should accept ALL changes, but it’s knowing when to smile and keep going.
Couldn’t agree more Jeff!
Thanks Kiri! Enjoy the last year in your 20’s! : )
Thanks so much Elly – you are totally right, and sounds like you’ve had an amazing adventure! Enjoy!
Love the list, and this one in particular : ” It’s OK to be different to everyone else, and as you get older this will get easier”.
we may be separated by 2 generations but I can relate with all you said. I believe being an expat most of my adult life has a strong impact on the way I see the world and myself
Great blog
Thanks Anne, glad you liked the post! : )
There are so many truths written in here. The problem is, like you said in number 30, to keep all this present. It doesn’t hurt to revise this list from time to time.
Ha ha, this is a good one: “Until the age of 25 you will probably have no idea what you are doing with your life, and that’s OK”
Many people don’t know at the age of 40, nor at 50 or later!
I liked this a lot: “Learn to laugh at yourself”
Indeed, laughing at yourself helps overcome certain difficult situations.
I can empathize with “Until the age of 25 you will probably have no idea what you are doing with your life, and that’s OK”
Infact i never planned anything for my life till 30,Guess you are lucky to get it earlier.I guess i should laugh at myself (Pt 23)