30 Life Lessons from 30 Years on this Planet

Yes, the big 30 is finally upon me! There is so much to be grateful for and so much that I have learned in these thirty years. I somehow expected that turning 30 would pull me down, but I realize that this feels like just another day! 😊

So, I have compiled a list of 30 life lessons that I have learnt in these years.

1. Give love, and it will find its way back

People always remember how you make them feel. Love will always find its way back. Maybe not in the shape and form that you expected. But it will find its way to you and make you happy!

2. Never stop growing

There is so much to learn in this world and so many ways to grow. To keep learning is the only way to become a better version of yourself. It is the only thing that will get you where you want to be.

3. Express gratitude

Gratitude is a wonderful way to take stalk of everything that is going great for you in your life. It helps you chalk out all that is positive with your life. And it helps you appreciate the people and things around you.

4. Change is the only constant

The nature of things is to change. Nothing remains permanent and the sooner you make your peace with this, the better it is for you. And embracing change is one of the best ways to move ahead in life.

5. Embrace your authenticity

You are uniquely you. No one else can come even close to who and what you are. Embrace it! Be yourself and claim the space around you in the way only you can.

6. Progress over perfection

Perfection is overrated. Doing is way more important than doing it perfectly. So, stop waiting for the perfect time, the perfect pitch, the perfect moment, the perfect job, the perfect person and just go and do what you want to do!

7. Reflect often

Introspection helps you to really connect with yourself. It is one of those habits that will alter the way you deal with people and situations. Reflecting will give you an insight into your thoughts and behaviours and can help you change them in the way you want to.

8. Get more organized

I know this is a no-brainer but yes, get more organized if you want to smash those goals that you have. It is an important quality for anyone to have.

9. Do the things that make you feel uncomfortable

Nothing comes out of comfort zones. There is no growth, no change and no positive movement in comfort zones. So, get uncomfortable. Do the things that make you squirm. Yes, you may fail sometime but you will also grow tremendously.

10. Buying things doesn’t give you happiness

Buying things will give you temporary pleasure. But happiness goes way beyond materialistic possessions. The short-term pleasure that you get from buying things is not long-lasting happiness.

11. Build a tribe that supports you

Your community, your group of friends, you tribe: Call it whatever. It is one of the most important parts of your life. Building a supportive tribe can take you places and make you feel like you belong.

12. Let go of anything that no longer serves you, grows you or makes you happy

Letting go is one of the most important skills to be learnt in life. There are so many things and people that hold you back and letting go of them can be very important towards your growth.

13. Time is an asset, more important than anything else

It doesn’t take long for days to turn into weeks, for weeks to turn into months and for months to turn into years. Time is a very important asset and being mindful of that can be a gamechanger.

14. Always have an emergency fund

This is a very adult thing to do. You never know what’s going to hit you. Not to sound like a negative Nancy but it is always good to be prepared for a rainy day. So, start that emergency fund!

15. Learn to say ‘No’

This is one of the most important life skills to have. Learning to say ‘No’ will help you cut off all the fluff from your life and will reduce some unnecessary overwhelm and anxiety.

16. Meditate often

Being mindful is one of the most important skills that you can acquire in your life. Meditation centres and grounds you in more ways than one. This practice has literally changed my life!

If you want to learn about the ways in which meditation can change your life, you can find the link here.

17. Just take the first step

So many times, we keep thinking about doing things but never find the courage to do them. We find so many excuses to stop ourselves. In my experience, if you just take the first step, it is much easier to find your way.

18. Learn to enjoy your own company

You are the only person who will be by your side till you draw your last breath. You might as well learn to enjoy your company! Learning to be by yourself and enjoying it is one of the most fulfilling experiences.

19. You are exactly where you are supposed to be

You are neither too late nor too early. Your journey is uniquely yours. Let go of this thought that certain things need to happen by certain time in your life. Your journey is taking exactly as long as it is supposed to take.

20. Take care of your body, it’s the only home you have

It is very difficult to enjoy anything if your health is not in a great shape. Our bodies enable us to do so many things. Be grateful for them and take care of them!

21. Stop apologizing when you don’t mean it

We get into a habit of apologizing even when we don’t mean it. Stop that! Value your own words and use them only when you really and truly mean it.

22. Read, read and read some more

Reading will open up your world in ways nothing else can. You can learn about new cultures, learn new languages or skills or just get lost in a story. Reading a little every day will alter the way you think and look at this world.

23. Money is important, but not everything

So many of us lose our health, peace of mind and time with our families in the pursuit of money. There is no denying the fact that money plays a significant role in all our lives. But at the same time, it is important to acknowledge that it is not everything.

24. Question your fears

The only two fears that you are born with are: the fear of loud noises and the fear of heights. Everything else that you are scared of is something that you have invited into your life. So, start questioning your fears. Explore if they are even valid or just something you assume.

25. Spend a few hours doing something you love every week

How you spend your free time has a great influence on how you spend your working hours. It is important to refresh and rejuvenate yourself on a regular basis. So, reconnect with your hobbies, spend some time doing yoga or jogging or just reading a book.

Find out about the ways in which hobbies can enrich your life in this article here.

26. You are not your past

Forgive yourself for the mistakes you have made. Forgive others for the wrongs that they have done. Let go of our past because what you do today defines your future. There is only one way: forward!

27. Learn to unlearn

Going through life, your ability to unlearn your conditioning, your belief system and your perspectives will define where you reach. Unlearning is an important part of growth and you have to be ready to face it.

28. Find your thing

Find that one thing that makes you forget everything and everyone else. Something that gives you joy, improves your mood and just makes you a better person. For me that thing is reading. What is yours?

29. Learn to have fun!

Life is too short to take it too seriously. Learn to have fun through the process. There will be tough times, there will be scary times but having fun just makes it all a tad bit better.

30. We are all a work in progress

It is ok that you are not exactly where you want to be, it’s ok that you still have to learn a lot of things, it’s alright that sometimes it feels like there is no fprward movement. We are all a work in progress. Life is about the journey and not about being the perfect version of ourselves.

These are my 30 life lessons that I have learnt in the past 30 years. Let me know in the comments below, what are some of the life lessons that you swear by?