There are a lot of things I wish I knew when I was younger. If only someone would have sat me down and told me these things, it would have saved me a lot of time and trouble!
In this article, we will discuss 10 things that we wish we had known when we were younger. Hopefully, this information can help you avoid some common mistakes and make the most of your life!
#1 – It’s Okay to Be Different
Most of us have heard the saying, “There’s no such thing as a wrong opinion.” Well, that may be true, but there are definitely wrong ways to go about expressing your opinions.
In this day and age, it seems like more and more people are becoming unafraid to share their thoughts – and that’s awesome. But with that newfound bravery comes a greater responsibility to do so in a respectful way.
Just because you may not agree with someone doesn’t mean you have to lash out at them. There’s no need to be insulting or hurtful. Remember, we’re all different for a reason – and that’s okay!
So the next time you feel compelled to share your opinion, keep these things in mind. You just might make someone’s day a little bit better.
#2 – Take Immediate Action On Your Dreams
Another thing I wish I knew when I was younger is to take immediate action on your dreams. If you have a dream or goal, don’t wait to start working towards it.
The sooner you take action, the sooner you’ll achieve your goal!
Don’t let fear hold you back from chasing your dreams. You are capable of anything you set your mind to!
Believe in yourself and don’t give up on your dreams! You only have one life to live, so make it count!
#3 – Surround Yourself With Amazing People
When I was younger, I thought that the people in my life were just who I had to accept. I didn’t know any better.
As I’ve grown older, though, I’ve come to realize that you are the sum total of the people around you.
If you want to be amazing, surround yourself with amazing people. If you want to be happy, surround yourself with happy people. If you want to be successful, surround yourself with successful people.
It’s really that simple! So don’t just sit back and accept who you have in your life right now. Seek out those who inspire you and challenge you to be better. The payoff is worth it!
#4 – Ignore Bad Advice
When I was younger, I was constantly seeking advice from anyone and everyone who would give it to me. Needless to say, a lot of the advice I received was pretty terrible.
If only someone had told me then what I know now: to ignore bad advice! Here are a few things that I wish someone had told me when I was younger.
- If you’ve ever given bad advice, don’t be afraid to ignore it! You know what’s best for you and your unique situation – don’t let anyone else tell you differently.
- Furthermore, be wary of taking personal advice from people who don’t have your best interests at heart – they may not have your best interests at heart!
- Finally, always do your own research before following someone’s advice – especially if it sounds too good to be true.
When it comes to your career, don’t be afraid to take risks! It’s better to try and fail than to never try at all. If you’re not sure what you want to do with your life, that’s okay!
Explore different options and figure out what interests you. And don’t be afraid to change your mind – you can always pivot and try something new.
#5 – Read The Classics
When I was younger, my mom would always tell me to read the classics.
I never understood what she meant, and I definitely didn’t want to read books that were outdated.
But now that I’m older, I understand why it’s so important to read the classics. They teach you about history, literature, and more.
Here are just a few reasons why you should consider reading them:
- They’re educational.
- They teach you about different cultures.
- They help improve your vocabulary.
- They’re interesting and engaging stories.
- You can learn a lot from the characters in these books.
#6 – Respect Should Be Earned
When I was younger, I thought that respect was something that you were automatically given just because you existed.
If someone didn’t talk to me nicely or acted like they were better than me, I would think less of them and wouldn’t want to associate with them.
As I got older, I realized that respect is something that needs to be earned. You can be the nicest person in the world, but if you don’t respect others, they won’t respect you back.
It’s important to act with kindness and courtesy, but also stand up for yourself and what you believe in. When you earn someone’s respect, it means so much more than if you were given it just because of who you are.
#7 – Others Don’t Always Know Better
When we’re young, we think that the older generation must have all the answers. We look up to them as authorities on what life is all about and what we should do to make the most of it.
But as we get older, we learn that this isn’t always true. The older generation doesn’t always know better – in fact, sometimes they can be downright wrong!
It’s important to listen to what others have to say, but also to use your own judgment and figure things out for yourself.
When it comes to making decisions – especially big ones – it’s important to trust your own judgment. Others may have good intentions, but at the end of the day, only you can make choices that are right for you.
#8 – Don’t Compare Yourself to Others
When you’re young, it seems like everyone around you has their lives together. You look at your classmates or people in your social media feed and think how they all seem to have it all figured out – while you’re just figuring out how to ride a bike.
It’s easy to start comparing yourself to others, and before you know it, you’ve spiraled into a state of self-doubt. Constantly comparing yourself to others is toxic and will only hold you back from your own potential.
Everyone has their own journey in life, and you’re on your own path – so focus on that instead of what others are doing. Appreciate your own unique talents and qualities, and work on becoming the best version of yourself. You’ll get there eventually.
I know it sounds cheesy, but age really is just a number. It doesn’t define you or your worth. You’re never too old or too young to do something – so go out and do it!
#9 – You Don’t Have to Please Everyone
We all want to be liked. And, as a young person, it can feel like you have to please everyone in order to get approval and be accepted.
But that’s not true. You don’t have to please anyone but yourself. So don’t be afraid to stand up for what you believe in, even if it means you’ll lose some friends along the way.
There will always be people who judge you and try to bring you down, but the most important thing is that you stay true to yourself.
Don’t let anyone else control your life – only you can do that. So go out there and chase your dreams! The sky’s the limit.
#10 – Love and Accept Yourself
It’s human nature to constantly seek approval from others, especially during our formative years. We’re young and impressionable, and it seems like the opinions of those around us matter more than anything.
But what happens when we never quite receive that approval? We start to doubt ourselves, and before long, low self-esteem becomes a part of our identity. This can be incredibly damaging as we progress through life, but it doesn’t have to be this way.
You can learn to love and accept yourself, no matter what others may say. It’s not always easy, but it’s definitely worth it. No matter what anyone tells you, or what you think of yourself, this is the key to a happy life.
When you love and accept who you are, everything falls into place. You know your strengths and weaknesses and you work with them instead of against them. You don’t need anyone’s approval but your own.
#11 – It’s Never Too Late to Learn Something New
No matter how old you are, there’s always something new to learn. In fact, I’d argue that the older we get, the more important it is to keep learning and growing.
After all, life is a journey, and we should always be striving to become better versions of ourselves. If you’re feeling stuck in a rut or like you’ve plateaued in your personal growth, don’t worry – it’s never too late to learn something new!
Here are just a few ideas to get you started:
1) Pick up a new hobby or interest
There are so many things out there to explore and learn about – why not try something completely new? Maybe painting, dancing, or skiing?
2) Study a new subject
Challenging yourself mentally is just as important as keeping physically active. Why not sign up for an online course or visit your local library to find some new books to read?
3) Get out and explore
Sometimes the best way to learn about yourself is to get out of your comfort zone and explore new places. Take a weekend trip or go on a longer vacation – you might be surprised at what you discover!
Conclusion
As we come to the end of this list, it’s important to remember that these are only a few things out of many that we will learn in life. The most important thing is not to be afraid to ask for help when you don’t know something and to keep learning as you go.
We hope that you have found at least one thing on this list that speaks to you and will help you in your journey through life. What do you think the most important lesson is? Let us know in the comments below!
