10 Important Life Lessons I Wish I'd Learned Sooner

Growth and reflecting on your experiences are essential components of personal development and self-discovery.

As we age, we find opportunities to grow and evolve in various, if not all aspects of our lives. Our experiences and mistakes work as a series of tests and assignments that act as learning curves. 

In 2024, I had some significant life changes that made me question everything I thought I knew. I moved to a different continent, switched careers and had to unlearn a lot of things so I could adapt and fit into the new environment.

Now, a year and a half later, I look back and realize that through that time, I faced a handful of important life lessons that have changed my life - but it would have saved me some time, grief and frustration if I knew them sooner. 

10 Important Life Lessons I Wish I'd Learned Sooner

Failure is inevitable.

No matter how hard you try to avoid it, failure is just a natural part of life.

It's not something to be feared, but rather embraced as an opportunity for growth and learning. After failing at something, we try again, this time with more experience and knowledge. The sooner we accept this truth, the better it becomes for us to move on and improve. 

These are tips to help you get up and going after experiencing failure.

You can't control everything.

Despite your best efforts, there will always be aspects of life that are beyond your control.

Sometimes, we feel like we should have a grip on everything around us, but that's not how things work. We can’t control how other things turn out and, most importantly, how people respond. Learning to accept this can alleviate unnecessary stress and anxiety.

Not everyone will like you.

No matter how kind, talented, or generous you are, there will always be people who don't appreciate or understand you.

That doesn’t mean you’re not a good, interesting or kind person. It's essential to focus on being true to yourself rather than seeking approval from others. Also, remember, you can't control people’s attitudes towards you or anything for that matter. 

Life isn't fair.

Unfortunately, fairness is not guaranteed in life.

Bad things can happen to good people, and vice versa. From the time we are born, we are dealt different cards. Some are more favorable than others. That is the way of life. Accepting this reality can help you cope with disappointments and setbacks more effectively.

Time is limited.

Time is the most valuable resource you have.

Unfortunately, we won’t always have it. You can't rewind or pause it, so it's incredibly valuable to make the most of every moment you can, prioritizing what truly matters to you. If you want to do something, do it.

Tomorrow, you might not be able to, and if you’re anything like me, you don’t want to look back and regret not taking the shot.

Change is constant.

One of the most important life lessons is that the only constant in life is change.

Things will not always be the same. Embracing change and being adaptable are essential skills for navigating the ups and downs of life. If you're going through a rough patch, take a deep breath and remember that things change and that better days are ahead. 

Happiness is a choice.

Happiness is not something that can be obtained from external sources or circumstances.

If you're looking for "the thing" that will fill the space or finally give you that contentment you feel you've been missing, you'll probably never find it. We will always chase something that we think will bring us happiness.

What we fail to realize is that happiness is a mindset and a choice that you have to make every day, regardless of your circumstances.

Relationships require effort.

Whether it's friendships, romantic relationships, or family bonds, all relationships require effort, communication, and compromise from everyone involved.

When one person doesn’t pull their weight, the other one can quickly get exhausted and burnt out. You can't expect perfect relationships to just happen; put in the work. Relationships don’t flourish on their own.

Worry and regret don’t change anything.

Worrying about the possibility of things going wrong means you stress yourself before the perceived negative outcome becomes a reality.

Dwelling on past mistakes or missed opportunities will only hold you back from moving forward. Instead of focusing on regret, focus on what you can learn from the experience and how you can grow as a person. Instead of worrying, focus on doing what can reduce the possibility of the outcome you're trying to avoid. 

You are responsible for your own life.

Ultimately, you are responsible for your own happiness, success, and well-being.

Other people might contribute, but you have the ultimate power to shape how your life looks. Blaming others or external circumstances for your shortcomings will only hinder your personal growth.

The Most Important Life Lessons: It's Never Too Late to Learn

Learning is a lifelong process.

We always have opportunities to learn, and the important thing is how we respond to the new information we've been given. These truths are some of the many that have the power to shape and enrich us. 

Take these truths in and remember, they're not there to make us feel like we're behind in life because of how we perceive specific topics. Instead, they exist to help us improve ourselves.

Lastly, you are not alone, and it is never too late to change your perspective.

Updated from Apr 9, 2024

Photo by Elle Hughes