24 lessons I learned over the years

I recently turned 24 years, and I decided to spend time reflecting on what I learned over the past years of my life. I don’t feel like 24 in my mind, and let me tell you, my life is not what I pictured it would be like when I was a kid.

Turning 24 just doesn’t feel like anything major, but I will have to say, looking back I do feel I’ve had a major shift in terms of my outlook on many things. So, I decided to reflect on 24 life lessons I’ve learned over these years.

   1.✨Don’t compare your path with others
You don’t have to do things the way others do. You are not them, and they are not you. You won’t get the same results they have because you have your own strengths, skills, and voice. You have your own journey.

   2.✨Friends come and go
You’ll lose friends and that’s okay. All the people that enter our life have a purpose, they teach us lessons and they leave when the lesson has been taught. Your true friends will stick around until the end.

  3.✨You can’t please everyone
Stop trying, it’s impossible! And very exhausting. So just do whatever feels right for you, you’ll become a lot happier.

   4.✨Your thoughts become your reality
If you think you can’t do something or you’re not good enough, you’ll be less likely to take action. Try to switch your mindset and think that you can achieve anything you want.

   5.✨Get smart with your money
Learn about investing and saving. Don’t spend your money on unnecessary things. Make yourself a budget. You never know when your financial situation can change.

   6.✨ It’s okay to feel emotions
There were days I felt depressed, anxious, and sad for no reason. And other days, I felt amazing, happy, and grateful. There’s no right or wrong way to feel. It’s okay to feel sad and it’s okay to feel happy. But learn when you’re ready to release those “bad” feelings. You can choose how you want to feel.

   7.✨ Your mistakes don’t define you
Learn from them, acknowledge them, then let them go and try again.

   8. ✨Don’t be afraid to be yourself
There is only one you. You’re unique and the worlds deserve to see your authentic you.

   9. ✨We rise by lifting others
If you help someone feel good, you feel good. Give, support, encourage, share, and love. This can really change the world.

   10.✨ Focus on your breath on the hardest times
In times of stress, overwhelm, anxiety, anger, or fear you can always come back to your breath to connect to yourself. The key is to notice and pay attention to when you need to take a step back.

   11.✨Human connection is so important
Make the most out of every interaction since you never know when things could change. Spend time with people you love and tell them what they mean to you.

   12.✨ Change is necessary
Growth doesn’t happen when you’re comfortable, remember that. Push past your safe space and take a chance. Grab all new opportunities!

   13.✨Take care of your body and mental health
Make time for yourself, drink your water, fill your body with the nutrients he needs, sleep, do things you love, dance, smile, speak up if you’re unhappy, change situations that affect your mental state negatively. Make sure you’re okay and if you’re not, ask for help.

   14.✨It’s okay if you don’t have it all figured out yet
I realized that we all have our own journeys and timelines. It’s okay if you are still figuring out what you want in life. And don’t compare your life to others, this only leads to frustration and self-doubt. Everything happens when it’s supposed to happen.

   15.✨You are capable of more than you think
For example, I’ve never imagined that I would be able to work for myself and turning what I do into a career. This proves that we are all capable of more than we think.

   16.✨Everything happens for a reason
Everything really happens for a reason, always. Even your darkest days. They come to teach you and to prove to you how strong and capable you are.

   17.✨Time heals
It may feel like things aren’t going to get better, but they always will in the end.

   18.✨Communication is key
Mostly on relationships. If you want a healthy and happy relationship you need to communicate with one another.

   19.✨Be grateful
Practice gratitude every day. Focus on the amazing things you do have rather than what you don’t.

   20.✨Pain is almost inevitable
Physical pain, emotional pain…Everyone is going to experience pain at some point in their lives. Don’t try to hide from pain, but don’t let it take over your life.

   21.✨Be present
Make sure you’re there in the moment when you’re with someone. When you’re on a walk or doing something you enjoy. Put your phone away and give them your full attention.

   22.✨Pets make life so much better
We don’t deserve animals. They are such a light in our lives. I personally love dogs. They love us unconditionally and they fill our homes with so much love and happiness!

   23.✨Never forget to be kind
You never know what someone else may be going through, so always be kind.

   24.✨It is okay to ask for help
Don’t be ashamed or embarrassed to ask for help. Your loved ones will surely want to help you, you just have to ask. And if their support is not strong enough, look for a therapist. Just take care of yourself.
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Article by Kati Pereira