33 lessons from 33 trips around the sun
Last week was my birthday, so here is a collection of lessons I have learned from my 33 trips around the sun. Not all of these phrases and quotes are mine, but I can’t remember the source, so I unfortunately can’t reference them.
I hope you find them helpful, too. ☀️
I create my own standards. So many historical and social norms and structures are outdated and do not define the way I choose to live my life, and I don’t have to adhere to them for a happy life.
Falling in love with potential is a recipe for disaster and disappointment. I read this on Instagram, and it hit me hard. I have fallen in love with potential many times, and as I am still single, that clearly did not work out. Please don’t fall in love with potential. It’s not fair on either partner.
Anything that is out of my control, just let it go. Every time I tried to work against changes or situations that were out of my control, it only created anxiety and tension. So, instead, let it go and ride that wave.
Not my monkeys, not my drama. People seem to thrive on drama and intrigue even when they are a waste of time. Don’t do it; I rarely gained anything from engaging with it.
Do not make assumptions about people. This is my key takeaway from my training as a coach. We have no idea what is going on for people, so instead of making assumptions, ask clarifying questions. Everyone has a story, so don’t judge too harshly.
Everything is a lesson. Shit happens all the time, really bad stuff. It’s not fair, but in the end all we can do is take the lesson, learn and move on.
People will go out of their way to misunderstand you, and that’s okay. Some people will not understand what you are getting up to. Let them. Don’t try to manage their understanding of you because they never will.
It’s okay to depend on people; you don’t have to do it all alone. Remember that it is always okay to work for help. I don’t struggle with this a lot, but it does show up occasionally.
Romantic relationships are not Hollywood movies; they are hard work. When it comes to love, I find people live in illusions and fantasies. Let us all get back to reality.
Money is essential, but far from everything. We need money to live, but excessiveness does not serve anyone. More stuff and experiences will never lead to enduring life satisfaction; knowing yourself will.
If your intuition says a hard no, that means no. Trust it. I struggle with this, too, but it’s so important to try.
It’s smart to have a plan but hold it loosely; everything can always change, so embrace the impermanence of life. So much has not gone how I expected, and that’s okay! Embrace the uncertainty.
I am not my parents, yet I would not be here without them. Genetics is not destiny, yet I’m forever grateful that my parents brought me into this world, which led me to become who I am today.
Death will come for us all. Knowing that death will come for us all is liberating.
There are no shortcuts. Life in the earthly realm is not fair; anything I want to achieve in life has come through hard work.
The resources you have are the resources you have for the time being, so utilise them well. Some people in the world will have all the resources at hand, whilst others don’t. We all have to work with what we have and make the most out of it.
Don’t gossip. It does not make me feel good.
Give people a second chance. Forgiveness is important.
People don’t know what your needs are unless you share them. Don’t be afraid of communicating your needs. If people can’t handle them, then they are not right to be in your life.
You are exactly where you need to be. Trust the path.
Disappointment is part of life. Sometimes, things don’t go the way we want. Pivot, let it go and move on.
Gratitude is the way forward. I have everything I need to make a fulfilling life.
Doing good is good, even when large parts of society reward the opposite. Do the good thing.
Everything is temporary, and everything comes to an end. Embrace impermanence.
Authenticity is the way forward. Who else are you going to be?
Loneliness can be resolved by calling friends. Pick up the phone.
Have a growth mindset. Never become stuck in a fixed mindset.
Nothing happens unless you make it. When you start committing, the guides will help you along.
You will not get special treatment because you are doing spiritual work. This one hit me hard.
The way you look does not dictate that you are a good person. People with abs can be absolute jerks.
Listen more than you talk. You have two ears and only one mouth.
Unless you set healthy boundaries and communicate them, people will overreach. Set them firmly, with kindness.
People care less about you than you think. Yes, yes, keeping up with the Johnsons, but most people are too busy to care about you.
⚡️What’s missing from this list? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
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