50 Deep Life Lessons I’d Share With My Younger Self

I turned 50 earlier this year, so now is the perfect time to share 50 important life lessons that if I could go back, I’d share with my younger self. 

I learned these lessons in life through personal experiences, some good, many not so good. But, as I look back I wish someone would have shared these with me.

Of course, regardless of how these lessons are learned I’m grateful for all of my experiences that have led me to my 50 times around the sun.

I’d also love to know: What are your life lessons? Share in the comments section at the bottom of the post to provide some inspiration to all. 

Life Lessons for Personal Development

1. Welcome constructive criticism at work from your boss and colleagues. It’s the best and fastest way to learn and grow. 

2. Learn from your mistakes – Perfectionism doesn’t exist and without mistakes and failures there is no growth. This is how big ideas are built, inventions are made and true knowledge is formed.

3. Trust your gut – if there’s one thing I’ve consistently learned in life… my gut has been right 99% of the time. Intuition is built into all of us and if you feel alarm bells going off or an overwhelming ‘yes yes yes’ listen to this feedback with your whole heart.

4. It’s okay if everyone doesn’t like you – the reason one person loves you is the exact reason another doesn’t. So instead of trying to adjust yourself, just be you.

5. If something feels wrong, it usually is – this could be a red flag in a relationship or a decision you have to make.

6. Fight for what you believe in no matter what it is – your marriage, animal rights, human rights, global warming… taking a stand and having a voice creates change.

7. Being the nerd or weirdo is cooler than you think – all of the most interesting, caring and brilliant people I know were bullied for being nerds/geeks. Now we all laugh at where those bullies are today.

8. You can rewrite your story – whatever narrative you’re holding onto from the past (you’re too sensitive, you can’t get things done, you’re not strong enough, etc)… you can move past this and create a new story for yourself.

9. Always expect change and with change comes opportunity. If you know change is coming it doesn’t feel so hard when it does. It allows you to instead look at the opportunities that change brings. 

10. Embrace your differences – we can be hard on ourselves for our differences, but they are what makes us special and unique.

What a boring world to have everyone trying to be the same in their looks, personality, knowledge and experiences.

I’ve personally found that the things I was hardest on myself when I was younger are the things I love most about myself now (my height, daydreaming, not being able to stick with just one thing).

11. Look after your inner child – She’s inside of you, looking up to you and you’re looking out for her.

When you have a negative thought or uncertainty, ask yourself…

• What would you say to your 5 year old self?
• How would you want her to feel?

12. Love the skin you’re in – So often I’ve looked back on old photos and am amazed at how vibrant, carefree and beautiful I looked.

But then I remember that at that time I didn’t feel that way. I was hard on myself and thought “If I only lost 10 pounds” things would be better.

So, love you for you today – you are worth it and you are beautiful just as you are.

13. Listen to your body – If you are tired, overwhelmed and barely getting through, your body is telling you something.

In fact it’s screaming for your attention to STOP, otherwise complete burnout can hit which can show up as physical and mental health challenges. There is only one of you and looking after yourself is a must for you and those you love.

14. Time lessens the pain and often heals. Even the hardest, most challenging times in life hurt less as time passes, so when you’re in the thick of something painfully difficult, remind yourself of this, even though it might seem impossible and you might not be ready to move on.

15. Your self worth is not defined by results – This is very personal to me as I’m a go-getter and can be hard on myself. But I know that as a human I automatically have worth and am worthy of everything good even when I am not producing results.

16. Fresh air and a walk give new perspective – whether it’s a challenge you’re working through or difficult feelings, getting outside and experiencing Mother Nature can help regulate our emotions.

17. Gratitude is not automatic, it must be practiced – and when it is, it has the power to heal and allow you to see moments of pleasure even in tough times.

18. Believe anything is possible – Why? Because it is. It all starts with having the right mindset.

You see, the alternative is saying “I can’t do this.” However if that’s the mindset, how will you know if you don’t give yourself permission to try?

As the quote goes, “We miss 100% of the shots we don’t take.” – Wayne Gretzky

19. Focus on your strengths & passions – I’m a firm believer you need both. If you’re not deeply passionate about something, even if you’re good at it, the less chance you have for true fulfillment and success.

20. Understand your “why” – This helps you connect the importance of your goal with directly making it happen and have a powerful reason to keep moving forward when you’re lacking motivation or need a boost.

21. Create your dream life today – think about what your dream life looks like and bring components into your life now.

• Want to have a hobby farm? Plant a window box garden at home or veggies in the yard.
• Want to live in Greece one day? Cook Greek food, listen to Greek music, learn the language.

22. Always ask yourself, “why not me?” I’ve always had this eternal optimism that I can do anything if I really want it. And accomplishing anything does truly start with mindset.

If you say “I could never do that”, well that’s the end of it. But, “why not me” helps you think about how to actually make that dream or goal a reality.

23. Progress, not perfection, is the way to reach your goals. Little steps every day, every week build up and allow you to reach heights that once seemed impossible.

24. Rest and allow yourself to just ‘be’. I’ve always found that my biggest, most creative ideas have always popped up when I’m not actively trying to think about anything – in the shower, in the garden, going for a walk.

The key is to stop thinking and this is when wonderful things can come to you.

25. Don’t Hold a Grudge, Ever – it will hurt you as well. Better to resolve an issue or move on than letting something weigh down heavy on you.

26. Never Say Yes Instantly – Share ‘Let me Get Back To You’. As an over-committer this one hits hard for me. Always make sure you have the mental, emotional and physical energy and time to say yes. 

27. Learn How to Say No and Feel Good About It – Never forget that saying no to something means you can say yes to something else. Yes to peace, self care, time for what’s most important to you.

28. Let Others Win – I’m competitive, but sometimes allowing someone else to “win”, whether it’s a debate or a board game just feels easier and causes less conflict. Afterall, compromise is part of building strong relationships.

30. Focus on How You Make People Feel – what we say matters but the actions we take are what hits. I love you means the world, but acting out your love is what people remember. Saying you’re there for someone is one thing, but literally showing up for them shows true support.

32. You can’t make someone else change – you can motivate and inspire, but the hard work is up to them, if they choose.

33. Love doesn’t conquer all (sadly). You can have a great love, but long lasting, happy relationships take compromise, trust, strong communication, an open mind and daily action.

34. Not all friendships and relationships are forever and that’s okay. You can love what you had, when you had it and appreciate the experience.

35. Don’t sweat the small stuff – I used to constantly trip over my son’s backpack everyday at the door, but I never got angry. Why? Because I knew that one day it wouldn’t be there because he had grown up and moved out.

Now I wish I could only go back to those days of school papers, bedtime tuck-ins, messy shoes, sports gear and backpacks at the front door. Remember, no one is perfect and is the argument really worth something so tiny?

36. The days are long, but the years are short – Cherish each day you have with your kids. Volunteer at school, be a coach, drive them around, play games with them, teach them your values, embrace learning from them too and prioritize family time.

37. Ask “Do you need to vent or do you want advice?” – An old friend taught me this and it’s so powerful. Now, I am an automatic fixer and this is something I still constantly work on.

38. Showing up consistently in simple ways has a bigger impact than grand gestures – being present with your kids, your spouse and your friends shows true love and support. Big getaways or buying expensive things is easy. It’s the simple daily moments people remember.

39. Make time for hobbies – our existence isn’t to purely produce results, it’s to enjoy ourselves, experience new things and feel accomplished.

40. Never stop learning from the people around you, about the world, about different ways of life, different cultures, religions and different perspectives.

41. You’re Never Too Young Or Old To Try Something New – We have so many resources available to us today. So take a course, go back to school, learn how to scuba dive, find meaning in a new religion or spiritual practice, become a salsa dancer or completely change your career. You have one life to live, so live it!

42. You can always reinvent yourself – as a 50 year old woman I will soon be going back to school to change up my career and there’s no reason you can’t do the same.

43. Question societal norms – Societal norms aren’t meant for everyone to agree with so if something doesn’t sit right with you, question it, learn about it and potentially change your ways. Stepping outside the norms isn’t easy – you’ll be walking a different path than most, but this is what helps you live an honest life led by your values.

45. Don’t take yourself too seriously – life is serious enough so joke, laugh at yourself, be a goof, dance, sing, travel, try new things, enjoy yourself and never ever stop.

46. Save for a rainy day – it will come whether it’s a job loss, an illness, last minute travel. Aim to save 6 months salary so you’re protected when life gets messy.

47. Pay off credit cards every pay day – never, ever carry credit card debt. If you can’t afford it, save up or bypass it altogether..

48. Material possessions are meaningless – most of what we buy we forget all about and most possessions are purchased out of boredom or habit. Instead create experiences and memories.

49. Be financially independent – this way you can make your own decisions and live life on your own terms.

50. Live frugally to reach big financial goals – I once didn’t buy anything for one entire year and from that I went travelling around the world for 12 months. That year of no restaurants, shopping, haircuts more than made up for a lifetime of experiences.

Final Thoughts

Well, now that was A LOT! Ha! But after 50 years of being on this earth I definitely have words of wisdom to share. Many of these lessons I learned the hard way and others I learned from people around me.

👉 There is something so powerful from learning from others and with this I invite you to share one of your life lessons in the comments section below.

I know it will help myself and others learn from you too so don’t hold back!

Sending lots of love your way.

Yolanda

More Resources and Life Lessons To Share:

• 147 Life Mottos To Create Your Dream Life
• Growth Mindset Vs. Fixed Mindset – What’s The Difference?
• 10 Reasons Change Is Good For The Soul
• 30 Ways To Invest in Yourself In Various Areas of Life

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