40 Things I Wish I Could Tell My Younger Self

As I turned 40 last week, I thought about what advice would have been invaluable to my younger self. Life has a way of teaching us through experiences, but there are moments when a few words of wisdom can make all the difference. Here are 40 lessons I've learned over the years as a result of hardships, triumphs, and significant personal growth.

1. Being human means making mistakes. Don’t beat yourself up; just learn from them.

2. Don’t take everything so seriously.

3. Forgive, and most importantly, forgive yourself.

4. Stop worrying about 80% of things that will never happen.

5. It all seems to work out in the end.

6. Let go, especially of others who don’t stand by you.

7. Nothing is easy to achieve. You have to work hard.

8. Let people hate you; it means you’re getting noticed.

9. Being hard on yourself isn’t working; try another way.

10. Self-love is a daily practice.

11. Stand up for yourself. People will respect you more if they hear your growl.

12. Enjoy being different; being the same as everybody else is boring.

13. Rest and slow down. The best ideas come to you then.

14. Embrace difficulty.

15. Don’t believe everything you think.

16. The voice in your head is that of a scared and lazy child, not wanting to move out of its comfort zone. Treat it with kindness and discipline.

17. Question your thoughts.

18. Respect your body. It listens when you say negative things about yourself.

19. You get further in life if you’re vulnerable.

20. Ask for help when you need it.

21. Focus on progress, not perfection.

22. Learn to say no. Your time and energy are valuable.

23. Celebrate your achievements, no matter how small.

24. Take risks.

25. Allow yourself to learn, especially from others.

26. Respect boundaries.

27. Nourish your body.

28. Be grateful.

29. Trust yourself, especially your instincts.

30. Invest in your mental health.

31. Don’t be afraid to fail.

32. Be proud of yourself wholeheartedly.

33. Be honest, especially with yourself.

34. Cherish your loved ones.

35. Relinquish your self-importance.

36. Sit in silence more often. You are your greatest teacher.

37. Listen more than you speak.

38. Stay humble.

39. Don’t compare yourself to others.

40. Allow yourself to be loved.

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