32 Lessons in 32 Years
Life, they say, is a journey, and at times, it feels like navigating an uncharted wilderness with an amateur's map. Each twist, turn, and detour has carved lessons into the fabric of my life, shaping who I am today.
As I celebrate the milestone of turning 32, I find myself reflecting on the highs and lows—the peaks and valleys—that have left lasting impressions. So, grab your favorite drink and join me as I share 32 life lessons that might just resonate with your own journey.
1. How my empty wallet at 28 taught me to leap
At 28, I found myself staring at an empty wallet and a mountain of debt. Panic pushed me to take risks I never thought I could—like starting over and daring to dream bigger. Sometimes, the best way to build resilience is to leap without a net.
2. What being broke showed me about valuing experiences
Being broke taught me to cherish experiences over material things. The best memories often come without a price tag, like late-night chats with friends or watching the sunrise. Wealth, it turns out, isn’t about what’s in your bank account but what’s in your heart.
3. A lesson in patience from my career detour at 30
At 30, I took a career detour that felt like an eternity of waiting. But patience proved its worth, reminding me that the best opportunities are often the ones that take time to unfold.
4. How uncertainty during my career change revealed new passions
Embarking on a career detour without a map was like setting sail without a compass. I found myself creatively lost at sea, until new islands of passion appeared on the horizon. Unexpected shores of interest taught me that sometimes, X marks the spot where you least expect it.
5. Friendships: Love, Loss, and Forgiveness
Friendships are complicated, but the beauty lies in their imperfections. Forgiveness—messy and sometimes slow—has shown me that the strongest connections are built on grace.
6. The freedom of forgiveness
Holding grudges feels like carrying a heavy suitcase through life. Forgiveness, on the other hand, is freeing—like putting the suitcase down and walking lighter.
7. Self-discovery in stormy seas
Finding yourself isn’t a gentle stroll; it’s surviving the storms and learning to trust your inner compass. Those moments of self-doubt? They’re just waves you learn to ride.
8. Resilience found in my lowest moments
Picture this: lying face-down in the dirt, utterly defeated. Then, watching as your hand pushes you back up. It's in these gritty moments you unearth a resilience rivalled only by a well-rooted weed. And there's pride to be had in being the last plant standing.
9. I believe travelling is the best life teacher
Travel has been my greatest classroom. Each journey, whether near or far, has opened my mind and reminded me that every place has something to teach.
10. The real treasures of travel
I used to think souvenirs were the hallmark of a great trip. Now I know it’s the memories—those fleeting moments of joy and connection—that truly matter.
11. Finding meaning in life's detours
Life’s detours often lead to the most unexpected and rewarding experiences. Some of my favourite moments came from straying off the beaten path.
12. The joy of missing out
Skipping the occasional social event has been a gift. Walking alone with my thoughts has been just as fulfilling as a night out, teaching me that solitude is sometimes the best company.
13. How my kin taught me things no one else could
From my dad’s DIY experiments to my mom’s penchant for saving every container, my family has taught me that the quirkiest lessons are often the most valuable.
14. Starting over, again and again
Who hasn't envied a cat's nine lives? But here I am, living my metaphorical fifth life after deciding to swap corporate chains for the ink-stained life of a writer. It's all about landing on your feet, and sometimes in a litter box – but hey, it's new, it's fresh (kind of), and it's all mine.
15. Cherishing connections that weather the storm
True friends are the ones who stick around through life’s storms. They’ve seen me at my best and worst and continue to show up—proof that loyalty is a rare and beautiful thing.
16. Learning the power of being alone
Once upon a time, in a land of perpetual noise, I found silence. Sounds like the start of a fairy-tale, and that's exactly what solitude felt like when I first embraced it. You haven't lived until you've danced alone in your room, belting out tunes only your mirror can judge – and they're incredibly sympathetic listeners.
17. The humour in overcoming obstacles
Life’s hurdles often feel insurmountable until you laugh at them. Falling flat on my face—figuratively and literally—has become the best reminder to not take myself too seriously.
18. Turning the naysayers into motivators
For every person who's ever told me I couldn't, I've found a perverse pleasure in whispering, "watch me." It's like that time I accidentally RSVP'd 'yes' for a marathon thinking it was a leisure event. I mean, I was halfway right – there was running involved... towards the cold drink post-race.
19. How every setback polished my skills
If I had a cent for every misstep, I'd have exactly enough to not worry about my dance lesson fees. The waltz of life isn't always elegant, but with each trip and stumble, I've found a rhythm that's mine. Sure, the beat might be off, but it's become a dance-worthy tune of perseverance.
20. Slowing down in a fast-paced world
This one time, the Wi-Fi went out, and I was left staring at a loading screen for hours. In that digital desert, I found an oasis of calm I never knew I needed. Since then, 'no-fi days' have become a thing. It's all about pages in books in a fibre-optic world, baby.
21. Stories of warmth in a cold world
A kind word or a simple gesture can brighten someone’s day. Like the time your friend complimented your new haircut, and you felt like a glamorous movie star for the rest of the day. Or when a stranger held the door open for you, and suddenly, you felt like royalty entering a grand palace. These small acts of kindness might seem insignificant, but they have the power to make someone's day brighter and warmer, even in the coldest of worlds.
22. Finding inner peace amid chaos
Inner peace isn’t about perfection; it’s about finding calm in the everyday madness. Sometimes, it’s as simple as taking a deep breath amid the chaos.
23. Welcoming change
Change is scary but necessary. Like the seasons, we have to let go to grow. Every chapter of my life has been better because I embraced what came next.
24. Staying true to myself
My values have been tested, but they’ve also guided me. No matter how rough the road gets, staying true to yourself is the best way to find your way back.
25. Risk and reward
Taking risks is like deciding to snorkel for the first time. You either find Nemo or you swallow mouthfuls of seawater. Or, if you're me, both. But oh, the wonders you'll see! Even if the 'Nemo' you discover is the realisation that taking the leap can be its own reward.
26. Building confidence one day at a time
Confidence doesn’t come all at once. It’s built day by day, experience by experience, like a Lego masterpiece—colourful, unique, and wholly mine.
27. Investments in bravery
I've started measuring courage not by the number of lions tamed but by the tiny 'yeses' whispered in the face of uncertainty. Turns out, investing in those moments can yield quite the portfolio of pride. And let's be real, who wouldn't want shares in the badass version of themselves?
28. How fantasies fuelled my reality
Daydreams are my escape and my inspiration. They break the monotonous grey with splashes of 'what-ifs,' and sometimes, those scribbles become my roadmap. Because every now and then, a daydream doodle does what it's meant to do – paint reality a shade more vibrant.
29. Why asking 'why' often leads to 'wow'
Curiosity might've killed the cat, but it also discovered penicillin, so I'd say it's got a pretty good track record. Every 'why' I've pursued has often ended in a 'wow' and sometimes in a 'what the heck?' And honestly, it's those unexpected detours that make the journey worth it.
30. How embracing fear led to living fully
I used to think fear was the enemy, something to be avoided at all costs. But then I realised that every time I pushed past it, something amazing happened. Fear may be a trickster, but it also holds the key to unlocking our true potential and living life fully.
31. Creating a symphony from life's missteps
Life is a bit like a piano: the white keys represent our happy moments, and the black keys, our mistakes. But when you play both together, you get a beautiful melody that is uniquely yours. The “oops” moments often lead to laughter and unexpected lessons.
32. Why every ending is just a prelude to adventure
Every 'the end' whispers the promise of a 'once upon a time' yet to unfold. For me, goodbyes have transformed into subtle invitations to life's next gathering. So, here's to the finales that are just incognito beginnings, masquerading as endings to throw off the faint of heart.
And so, with a heart full of tales and a backpack brimming with lessons, I clink my glass to you, my fellow travellers. May you find your path strewn with rich experiences and the wisdom to navigate them.
Here's to the stories waiting to be written, the mistakes itching to be made, and the milestones that beckon us onwards. Cheers to life, and of course, to new beginnings!