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Many times in life, you just have to learn lessons through experience.
Older people like your parents, teachers, and bosses can give you advice until they’re blue in the face, but you really don’t feel it until a light bulb goes off in your head.
Ah ha! They were right all along!
That all just comes with aging and maturing as a person.
What are wise life lessons that you’ve learned along the way?
Let’s take a look at what AskReddit users had to say.
1. Money problems.
“Do not, ever, lend anyone money unless you can afford to not be paid back.
I was foolish enough to try and help someone and lent them 10,000.
Now they’re in jail and I haven’t seen a dime paid back… 2 years ago and I still don’t have that much money in my bank. Just don’t do it.”
2. Very true.
“Life is NOT fair.
It should be, but it’s not. Sometimes it will kick you in the crotch for no reason…”
3. It doesn’t define you.
“You, your inherent value, your worth, your self respect – is NOT tied to your job or the work you do. If there was no need for money or having a job tomorrow, you will still have value as a human being.
For so long I unconsciously defined myself by my job. My value to society as a whole was based on what I did for a living. Then, for medical reasons, I had to stop working. I couldn’t even work part time. I went into a tailspin as my identity overnight vanished.
I was a workaholic who spent most of my time either at work, researching topics related to work, or discussing work with other people in the industry (which was also a kind of research related to work). Not working, I had no idea what to do with myself.
For a long time, I would say things like “I’d love to do <x> thing, if only I had the time…” Well, now I had all the time in the world but I no longer had any drive, passion, or interest. It’s taken a couple of years for me to sort myself out and to rediscover who I am as a person.
So my hard earned wisdom is this:
You are not your job. It is only a small fraction of who you are. Nourish the rest of yourself and realize that you are far more than simply the work you do.”
4. Cut those people out.
“You don’t have to stay with someone who makes you unhappy.
This applies to romantic partners, friends, and yes family too.
If someone is hurting you, and doesn’t stop or make a real effort to stop when you tell them, then you generally don’t have any obligation to stay with them or love them.
Also, your friends are the family you choose. You do not have to love your family if they make you miserable or hurt you.”
5. Up in the air.
“NOBODY actually knows what they’re doing.
We’re all pretending… and that’s okay.”
6. He knows from experience.
“My 80 year old grandfather told me to do 15-20 torso twist exercises 2-3 times daily so when you reach that age you can still wipe your own ass.”
7. Take some time.
“It’s okay to take a breather.
You don’t have to always feel guilty about not being productive.
Sometimes, you just gotta take care of yourself first.”
8. They’re not.
“Don’t care what people think about you.
Most likely they’re not thinking about you at all.”
9. Think about that.
“If you meet an asshole, you met an asshole.
If you meet assholes all day, you’re the asshole.”
10. Words to live by.
“Trust your gut.
Anytime I went against my gut feeling it went badly.
Always, always trust your gut, don’t go into business with someone who seems off or is unsympathetic, don’t walk that alley, even if it’s a shortcut, etc. .
Just trust your gut. It’s smarter than your brain.”
11. Enjoy yourself!
“Nobody says on their deathbed: I just wish I spent more time at the office.”
12. Let it go.
“Never chase someone you love when you feel them drifting away.
Let them go, and they will feel your absence and realize your worth.”
13. Always tell the truth.
“Don’t lie.
Most of the time is better to not do the thing you would lie about in the first place.”
14. This is important.
“Always pay off your full credit card bill every month so you don’t pay interest.
And if you need even more motivation, just remember that credit card companies don’t make money off people who pay their bill in full every month.
The reason monthly payments are low are so they can get more money out of you with interest. Pay your damn bill in full to save money.”
15. It’s just stuff.
“Items aren’t important.
Make the most of every moment with your loved ones and don’t put buying unnecessary things ahead of an opportunity to make good memories.
Stuff is replaceable but memories can’t be made once that person is gone.”
16. It’s up to you.
“We are all responsible for our own lives and our own happiness.
Our feelings? Our responsibility.
Our actions? Our responsibility.
Our reactions to what happens to us? Our responsibility.
At first it may feel overwhelming or scary to realize that we are the only ones responsible for our lives, that no one is coming to save us when we get ourselves in tough situations, but ultimately it’s incredibly empowering.
Something bad happened? That sucks, but it’s on YOU to decide what you do after. And you can do whatever the heck you want.
Stuck at a job you hate? No you’re not, you can choose to find something else.
Stuck in a bad relationship? No you’re not, you’re choosing to stay. Choose to leave, or work on it, or whatever you want.
Ultimately, your happiness is in your hands and yours alone, and that means you have complete control over it.”
17. Forgive and forget.
“Don’t hold on to anger or hate. Forgive and forget and move on from bad events, there’s zero point to holding on to negative emotions so do your best to not have extreme reactions to negative events in your life.
If you’re feeling anxious about something, ask yourself if you’ll remember the thing in 1 month, 6 months, 2 years, 5 years, 15 years, etc…
Usually it adds some perspective to the issue, and if the event is a big enough deal, all you can do is make a decision about it, and learn to be happy with it and not feel regret.”
18. Get it done.
“Sometimes you just need to shut the fuck up and do what you have to do , no questions, no talking.
Just do it.”
19. Learn to slow down and breathe.
“Patience.
Just taking a breath and taking time one something will really get you places.”
20. You can’t please everyone.
“Accept that some people just won’t like you and move on.
Don’t bend over backwards trying to please everyone. It’s only gonna stress you out.
Be happy with those who like you for you.”
How about you?
What wise life lessons have you learned along the way?
Talk to us in the comments!
