30 Invaluable Life Lessons for the next decades of your life.

Here are 30 life lessons I wish I’d learned sooner in my twenties — and maybe they’ll resonate with you too.

These aren’t just tips or feel-good quotes, these are real, hard-earned insights that have helped me navigate the highs and lows of life.

Whether you’re in your 20s, 30s, 40s, 60s, or beyond, I believe these lessons remain relevant and impactful.

So please, enjoy.

#1. Manage your money — or it’ll start managing you.

In other words, make a fundamental distinction between buying things you want vs buying things you need.

One thing that’s helped me save more lately is cooking meals I actually enjoy instead of constantly ordering takeout.

Because the truth is, it doesn’t matter how much you earn if you’re not keeping track of where it’s going.

There’s free budgeting or tracking app out there that you can use to check in weekly or monthly, to get a glimpse at your situation.

A good rule of thumb is to only put something on your credit card that you know you’ll be able to remember three months from now. If you had to look at how much was due and couldn’t even remember what you’d spent it on, chances are, it wasn’t worth time & energy.

So, start taking as much money as you can from your paychecks and save it, however small.

It’ll give you options.

#2. Before you do X, Remove Y

What’s the point of planting seeds if you haven’t cleared the weeds first?
 In other words, focus on removing what’s holding you back before adding more to your plate!

. Want to save money? Cut unnecessary spending, before focusing on making more money.

. Want to lose weight? Clear out the junk food before committing to a new meal plan.

. Want to feel more organized? Declutter your space before buying new storage bins.

It took me years to realize this simple truth, and I still struggle with it at times:

You’ll gain more momentum by cutting out negative habits than by piling on positive ones.

Sometimes, knowing what not to do is just as powerful as knowing what to do.

#3. Simplify and automate your to-do list.

“Our life is frittered away by details.” — Henry David Thoreau.

Simplify, simplify, simplify!

Remember: It’s easier to improve your life by subtracting than by adding.

The more time and brain energy you spend on things that don’t matter, the less you’ll have for the things that do matter.

Introducing the paradox of choice.

American psychologist, Barry Schwart reminds us that “The fact that some choices are good doesn’t necessarily mean more choice is better.”

To believe so will only causes you decision fatigue, and make you less productive in areas that are meaningful and essential.

Also, don’t allow your workspace to get grossly cluttered.

Research shows that a cluttered workspace negatively affects your mood and increases your stress level.

Giving your space an upgrade will not only help you appreciate the items that truly spark joy, but it will also free you from mental clutter and cognitive overload.

During the pandemic, I went all-in on spring cleaning — removing items that no longer “spark joy”. I finally was able to let go of clothes I didn’t wear anymore — some were donated, some sold, and others passed along to family who could actually use them.

As writer and minimalist expert, Courtney Carver would say, “I’ve spent enough!”

. Enough time, enough energy, and enough money hanging onto stuff I honestly didn’t even care about anymore.

So I started using apps like Mercari, OfferUp, Poshmark, eBay, and Craigslist to sell those items. Then donated the rest to places like Goodwill, Thrift stores, PickPurple, and the Salvation Army. And I must say— after that purge, I felt so much lighter. And honestly, I couldn’t believe it took me that long to let go.

Owning less is better than organizing more.” ― Joshua Becker.

If you’ve been feeling weighed down by your stuff lately, I seriously recommend taking some time out of your day to simplify some of your stuff. You won’t regret it. Not even a little bit, I promise.

Nowadays, whenever I think about buying something, I pause and ask myself if I truly need it or just want it. I do this because I never want to go through that pain of regret ever again.

#5. Treat Yourself as Someone You’re Responsible for Helping

If there’s one thing the 2020 pandemic taught us, it’s that our health — both physical and mental — is our most valuable asset.

I was shocked and heartbroken by how many lives were lost during those dreadful years, not just due to the virus itself, but because of poor mental health and the lack of resources to support it.

That wake-up call pushed me to dive deep into health topics, and since I was in quarantine, I took full advantage to explore the deep connection between our inner and outer worlds.

I learned how the food we eat doesn’t just affect our bodies, but also our gut health, mood, and our overall well-being, — for better or worse.

As the saying goes, we can either use food as medicine — or end up using medicine as our food.

So, if we’re fueling our bodies with junk, chances are, we’re going to feel like junk.

Health is our most valuable wealth; without it, nothing else matters.

In tough times like these, make your health a priority. Take daily walks, spend meaningful time with loved ones, and if it’s in your budget, treat yourself to a massage. Smile more — even when life feels heavy. Set a bedtime hour and stick to it! 🙂

#6. Choose Assets Over Liabilities

Assets are things you buy that grow in value over time. They pay you back — sometimes in a big way —that is if you’re patient and don’t cash out too early.

Thanks to the magic wonder of compound interest, your money can multiply quietly in the background while you go about your life.

Think: index funds, stocks, IRAs, 401(k)s, crypto, real estate, art collections, and even certain digital assets like NFTs, and so forth. These are all assets that have the potential to build wealth.

Liabilities, on the other hand, are things you spend money on that lose value over time — like cars, gadgets, fancy clothes, etc. They feel good in the moment but don’t pay you back.

Consider this: if you invest just $1 a day with an 8% return, you’ll end up with around $141,000 after 45 years. Bump that to $5 a day and it becomes $705,000. With $10 a day, you’re looking at $1.4 million. That’s the power of consistency and time.

As Robert T. Kiyosaki says in Rich Dad, Poor Dad:

“Liabilities get you into bad debt. Assets keep you out of it.”

And at the end of the day, money can either buy you stuff — or it can buy you freedom, time, and choices. So choose wisely.

It’s not how much money you make. It’s how much money you keep.

Start Where You Are — Even If It’s Small

Put away a little money each month — whatever you can afford. It might not seem like much now, but it will adds up.

Learn from people who’ve already built real wealth, and apply their habits and strategies to your own life.

It’ll be only a matter of time before you see a big shift in your finances.

To get the ball rolling, focus on these three fundamentals:

• Increase your saving rate.
• Cut down your expenses wherever possible.
• Invest the difference.

Seriously — doing those three things can literally change your financial future.

Become obsessed in the best way possible.

Watch YouTube videos about stocks, real estate, and personal finance. Read money blogs and articles. Listen to financial podcasts while you’re cleaning, commuting, or cooking dinner.

Stay consistent, and you’ll be well on your path to F.I. (Financial Independence).

And don’t forget — your body is your most important investment. So work out, eat well, sleep enough, and protect your peace. Because no matter how much money you make, health is what makes it truly worth it.

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Disclaimer: This is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It should not be considered professional financial or legal advice. Capeesh?

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#7. Commit to a Daily Action Routine

Start by creating a simple daily routine that keeps you focused on what really matters. Without a plan, it’s easy to let the day run you instead of the other way around. So be careful not to fill your time with stuff that seems productive but doesn’t actually move you closer to your bigger goals.

We all slip into busywork sometimes, but the magic happens when we focus on doing things with intention.

Oprah has this great rule she live by: before every meeting, she asks, “What’s the intention here?”

That one question helps cut through the fluff and help her get straight to the point with more focused and purposeful energy.

The same goes for your day — when you take small, intentional steps consistently, those tiny wins start stacking up.

And over time, they can lead to big results.

In The Compound Effect, Darren Hardy writes:

“Since your outcomes result from your moment-to-moment choices, you have incredible power to change your life by changing those choices. Daily choices will shape your actions step by step until they become habits, where practice makes them permanent.”

So, start working toward your goals today.

#8. Done Is Better Than Perfect

As an upholder, I can be my own toughest critic. Even now, I look back at some articles I’ve written and wonder how they ever got any attention.

But I’ve been learning to let that go.

As long as we’re showing up and giving our best with what we have — that’s more than enough.

Perfection is a moving target — it’s like chasing the horizon. The more you strive to reach it, the further away it seems.

So let’s stop aiming to be perfect. Let’s just do the reps. Keep creating. And keep on trying.

And as Adam Osborne once said, “The most valuable thing you can make is a mistake — you can’t learn anything from being perfect.”

Think in 5-year blocks, but take daily steps. Be your best where you are — NOW — with what you have, and trust that you’re growing — even when it’s messy.

#9. There’s No “Right” Option — Just Your Own

One of the biggest things I’ve learned in my late twenties is that there’s no single “right” path for your life. There’s no perfect job. No ideal plan.

If you’ve found something you love — awesome. If not, don’t stress. You’re not a tree — you can move.

As Nietzsche said, “You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way — it does not exist.”

It’s not about nailing down the one flawless plan. Rather, it’s about staying curious and willing to experiment.

Sometimes, that childhood dream you were holding onto might not even be right for who you are today because not everything will go according to plan. Or as Mike Tyson famously put it: “Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face.”

So be flexible. Be willing to pivot. Focus on what you can control, and let go of what you can’t.

If you stay committed to what lights you up, and give it your all, then you’re already on the right path.

#10. Pain Isn’t Always Proof of Damage

Pain sucks! there’s no doubt about it, but it can also be a powerful teacher. What matters is how we respond to it.

And when we turn our pain into something meaningful, it becomes less about suffering and more about growth. Otherwise, it’s easy to get stuck replaying old failures in our minds.

American writer and essayist, David Foster Wallace once said, “We all worship something; the only choice we get is what to worship.” I’m now convinced that includes the stories we tell ourselves.

Telling yourself “I’m a drug addict” is a story. Telling yourself “I used to be a drug addict, but I’m turning my life around” — that’s another story. Same facts, different meaning, completely different future.

Let go of anger and frustration. Accept what happened, then release your grip on it so it no longer defines or controls you.

#11. Don’t Knock the Valley

We tend to chase mountaintop moments along our journey, but the real magic, as I’ve come to learned, often happens in the valley.

So if all you care about is the peak, the climb will be miserable. But if you find meaning in the struggle, you’ll come out stronger and wiser on the other side.

The ancient Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzu said it best: “When you stand with your two feet on the ground, you will always keep your balance.”

Happiness isn’t just about getting to the top, it’s also about appreciating the journey.

If you can be proud of how far you’ve come and excited about where you’re going, then you’re already winning in my book.

As Mark Manson put it, “We need obstacles to overcome and problems to solve. What makes us happy isn’t the problem itself, but the outcome we obtain from solving it.”

#12. It’s Okay to Fail — as Long as You’re Failing Forward

Failure isn’t the enemy, everything is just feedback. Most of the time, what we call “failure” is simply something not meeting our expectations.

But if you take those moments and learn from them, then you’re not really failing — you’re growing.

I’ve made more mistakes than I can count, now I see them as stepping stones. Like Stephen McCranie said, “The master has failed more times than the beginner has even tried.”

To grow, we need to stay open, put our egos aside, and being willing to try a different way.

Whatever you’re chasing probably won’t happen overnight. Rather it’ll show up through steady progress and continuous learning.

#13. Learn to Smile — Even When Life Feels Heavy

Some people walk around carrying so much bitterness, you can see it all over their faces. They wake up mad for no apparent reasons, and the worst part is that they try to pass that negative energy onto everyone else.

They take everything personally, can’t laugh at themselves, and live like the world is out to get them.

We all know life can be rough sometimes. We all go through hard moments.

But as the Stoic philosophers reminds us, what really defines us is how we respond to those events. Aristotle put it beautifully, “Anybody can become angry — that is easy. But to be angry with the right person, at the right time, for the right reason, and in the right way — that is not easy.”

It’s okay to feel your emotions, just don’t let them dim the light of goodness that lives inside of you.

Train yourself to become a forward-thinker whenever life try pushing you back.

So lighten up, my friend. Or if nothing else, do it for the cat down the road.

#14. Surround Yourself with People Who Bring Out the Best in You

The people you spend time with affect your life more than you might realize — either for the better or worse.

That’s why it’s important to be mindful of who you allow to influences you.

As the Stoic philosopher Seneca once said, “True friends and partners should inspire you to grow, feel happier, and reflect the values you hold dear.”

Being around people like that helps you create a calmer, more fulfilling life.

Negativity, on the other hand, is contagious. If you’re constantly around people who bring you down, doubt your dreams, or reinforce bad habits, that energy will gradually start to affect you.

That’s why it’s crucial to protect your peace at all costs, my dear reader.

As motivational speaker Jim Rohn famously said, ‘You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.’ So choose people who push you to be better — even if they challenge you from time to time.

#15. Be Unapologetically You

Sometimes when people say, “You’ve changed,” what they really mean is, “You’re no longer doing what I want.”

And you know what? That’s okay.

The truth is you don’t owe anyone an explanation for your choices — whether it’s what you eat, where you go, or who you hang out with.

Explaining yourself all the time is exhausting.

This is your life. You get to decide how to live it. If however, there’s something you want to change about yourself, do it because you want to — not to please someone else.

So be unapologetically you because life is just more enjoyable that way.

#16. Not Everyone Has to Like You — and That’s Okay

The real estate investor, Grant Cardone once pointed out that too many people live by what others are doing instead of asking, “What’s actually best for me?”

He’s got a point. Trying to make everyone like you is a losing game. No matter how kind, talented, or thoughtful you are, there will always be someone who doesn’t vibe with you. So who gives a sh*t, that’s none of your problem.

Some people won’t understand your choices.

Others might not agree with your path.

But you’re not here to live someone else’s version of life. As Ryan Holiday puts it: “There is no competition. There is no benchmark. Just do the best you can — because that’s what actually matters.”

And at the end of the day, your worth isn’t measured by how many people approve of you.

#17. Stop Chasing Someone Else’s Version of “Success”

Have your own metric” of success.

Stuff won’t make you happy, at least not in the long run.

That car, that title, those followers — none of it fills the void for long. Sure, it might feel good for a little while, but the shine fades fast. Your internal situations didn’t go away, in some cases that spotlight amplify what was there from the beginning.

Real success isn’t something you chase. It’s something you feel when you’re living in alignment with who you truly are.

You’re already a success when you stop running after external validation, and start waking up to what’s real inside you. (e.g. The joy. The freedom. The peace. That’s the good stuff.)

After you’re done reading this piece today, remind yourself to do something kind for someone like hold the door, offer a compliment, send a thoughtful text, offer a smile. You’ll be surprised at how rich life feels when you direct your energy toward another human being.

#18. The People Holding You Back Often Mean Well

Sometimes, the ones closest to you can unintentionally slow you down.

They see you changing, taking risks, and growing into someone new — and that sh*t can scare them.

Not because they don’t care, but because they do.

They worry they might lose the version of you they’re used to. So, without even realizing it, or intentionally, they try to keep you where you are.

It always out of love — but it’s the kind of love that can hold you back if you’re not careful.

Instead of getting dragged down by those fears (yours or theirs), keep your energy focused on growth and creating something meaningful.

As the writer, Eric Jorgenson put it, “The more you sh*t-talk other people’s creations, the harder it becomes for you to create.”

At some point, you have to choose: live for their approval, or follow what lights you up inside.

Choose what lights you up. Every time.

#19. Keep It Quiet, Keep It Moving

I’ve learned not to talk too much about my goals before they happen, because it’s easy to get caught up in the hype — telling people what you’re planning to do and all that jazz, but that sh*t can backfire, if you’re not careful.

Every time I’ve shared too early, I added pressure that didn’t help.

Now, when someone asks how the writing’s going, I just say, “It’s going well,” and leave it at that.

Truth is, no one’s going to care about your dreams as much as you do.

As entrepreneur Derek Sivers highlights in his TED Talk, “When you talk about your goals, your brain gets tricked into thinking you’ve already done the work. And that little hit of validation can actually make you less likely to follow through.”

His Holiness the Dalai Lama, also points out that “When you talk, you’re only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you might learn something new.”

So whether your goals are big or small, please don’t waste your energy hyping them up. Shut-up and work some more.

#20. Everyone You Meet Knows Something You Don’t

Every person you cross paths with has something they can teach you.

Seriously. If you walk around thinking you’re the most interesting or smartest person in the room, you’ll miss out on a lot of wisdom.

We all come from different backgrounds and we see the world through our own lens — and when you start to recognize that, not only will it humbles you but also makes you a better listener.

Back when I worked in service jobs, I gained so much respect for people doing those roles.

They could be you. You could be them.

Like Jesse Jackson said, “Never look down on anybody unless you’re helping them up.” You can tell a lot about someone by how they treat people who can’t offer them anything in return.

So be kind. Listen more. We’re all just trying to make it through our days together.

#21. Learning to Be Alone Might Be Hard — But It’s One of the Most Rewarding Things You Can Do

Your 20s and 30s are prime time for growth.

Just because you’re done with school doesn’t mean the learning should stop. In fact, this is when the real learning begins my friend. The learning about yourself, your habits, your values, and the kind of life you want to build.

So try not to label yourself as “smart,” “dumb,” “good,” or “bad.”

That kind of thinking will only gets in your way.

Instead, you want to stay curious and keep on learning.

Author Robert Greene talks about a concept called ““Alive Time vs. Dead Time.” He explains that Dead Time is when you’re just waiting for things to happen.

Alive Time, on the other hand, is when you’re actively making the most of your days — even in small ways, to grow, and keeping your habits moving in the right direction.

Whether it’s reading, learning, or as James Clear would say, simply showing up one percent better than you did yesterday.

Ryan Holiday puts it perfectly in The Obstacle Is the Way: “In life, it doesn’t matter what happens to you or where you came from. It matters what you do with what happens and what you’ve been given.”

Spending time alone not only help you to think for yourself, but it also gives you the space to hear your own voice, without all the noise. That’s usually when your biggest insights show up.

#22. keep a Journal for Writing Down Thoughts and Ideas

Here’s a few reasons you want to start extract thoughts and ideas out of your monkey mind :):

• It clears your mind.
• Helps you work through stress.
• Lets you track your growth and goals.
• Gives you perspective when you’re feeling stuck.

Writer James Altucher recommends writing 10 new ideas a day — on anything.

It could be business ideas, trip plans, ways to make your day better, or whatever.

He calls it building your “idea muscle,” and over time, it trains your brain to think more creatively and being resourceful.

You can also use your journal as a place to vent. If you got anxiety or been feeling frustrated lately, brain-dump all that stress on paper.

This is way better than letting your thoughts spiral in your head.

#23. Practice Living More in the Moment.

The past has no power over the present moment.” ― Eckhart Tolle

I used to believe the future held all the magic, or that someday down the road, I’d finally reach my version of “happily ever after” Disney movie. But in chasing what’s next, I kept missing what was right in front of me.

I overlooked the little joys; like the color of the sky, the sound of a baby laughing, and even how good my food tasted.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from reading Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now, is that life is happening now. Not tomorrow. Not “someday.” But in the here and now. And when you start paying attention, you realize this moment is enough.

#24. Getting Older Isn’t a Bad Thing

As the sayings goes, Life has seasons, and each one comes with its own kind of beauty.

Sure, aging gets a bad rep, but if you lean into it, embrace the wrinkles instead of fighting it, you realize, getting older can actually be a rewarding experience.

Not everyone gets the chance to grow old — that alone is something to be grateful for.

Sure, your body will slow down as time goes on, some activities may not come as easily as they used to, but in exchange for all of this, you gain something far more valuable: wisdom, life experience, and perspective.

Remember, not everyone has been blessed to experience old age.

And who says 60 can’t feel like the new 30?

#25. Avoiding Pain Can Become the Pain

When we try to dodge pain and suffering, we miss the chance to grow into stronger, wiser versions of ourselves.

As Mark Manson puts it in The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck:

“The avoidance of suffering is a form of suffering. The avoidance of struggle is a struggle. The avoidance of failure is a failure.”

Pain is part of the process.

People will always have opinions, but their noise shouldn’t dictate your path.

Doing hard things isn’t something to fear, it’s something to run toward. Or as the Stoics would say, the obstacle is the way.

#26. Your Job/Career — Isn’t Your Whole Life

Yes, your career matters, but don’t get it twisted — it’s not the whole story.

You’re more than your title, your paycheck, or your LinkedIn resume. Sure, work is valuable, but when it takes over everything else, like your health, your joy, your relationships; it stops being worth it.

In the end, you want to take care of yourself.

Spend time with people you love.

Go outside. Breathe deep. And smell the roses from time to time. Also realized having other income streams gives you options and comes in handy in times of crisis.

#27. When in Doubt, Honesty is the Best Policy

At the core of it, honesty is really about being real with yourself and with other people.

It means accepting where you are, who you are, what you’re feeling in this moment right here, even if it’s messy.

There’s wisdom in simplicity — like Occam’s Razor says, the simplest explanation is usually the right one.

Anytime we say “yes” with our head while our body is screaming “no,” we betray our truth.

So you want to be the kind of person who speaks honestly, even when it’s uncomfortable.

In doing so, you’ll feel lighter, at peace with yourself, and overall, life becomes way less complicated when you’re not pretending.

#28. The Right Person Is Worth the Wait

Don’t be too desperate to act out of integrity to impress another being. You don’t need a romantic relationship to feel whole.

You’re not missing a piece, because you are the piece.
So don’t settle, don’t chase, and don’t shrink yourself to impress someone else.

Trust me, it’s far more painful to stay in a relationship that disrespects your peace than it is to be alone.

If someone can’t meet you with love and respect, it’s not on them to fix it — it’s on you to honor your worth, and do what you must do.

Remember to make choices from love, not fear.
If your heart is saying no, let your words follow suit. Because baby, you deserve better —> believe that.

#29. Patience is a virtue.

We’ve all heard it before — patience is a virtue. It sounds cliché… until you realize how true it actually is.

We live in a world that thrives on instant gratification. Tap your phone, and food shows up. Click a button, and a package arrives the same day. So naturally, we start thinking everything should come just as fast — including success.

But real growth? Mastery? Change? That stuff takes time.

There’s no such thing as an overnight success — just a lot of behind-the-scenes consistency.

So hang in there. Think of life as one big marshmallow test.

In the meantime, read good books, move your body, stay mindful, and take care of your inner world. You’re not falling behind, you’re building something that lasts.

#30. Give Yourself Something to Look Forward To

I’ve struggled with discipline more times than I can count — especially during the COVID era.
 Writing, for example, takes focus and drive, and some days? I had zero motivation. Nothing. Stress had me in a chokehold.

But one thing that’s helped during those tough days, is giving myself something to look forward to, no matter how small.

Whether it was morning runs, a solo project like painting, a walk in the park — anything that reminds me, “I’m alive and capable.”

Because when you’re stuck in a slump, action is your way out. Even if you don’t know what you’re doing, do something.

As Sir Richard Branson says:

“If someone offers you an amazing opportunity and you’re not sure you can do it, say yes — then learn how to do it later.”

It’s not about having all the answers. It’s about being willing to show up and figure it out as you go.

So please, give yourself a reason to get out of bed; because without creation, there’s no progress.

Final Thoughts 💭

Lists like these are fun to read, but don’t let it stop there. Inspiration is great, but action is better.

So do yourself a favor today, pick one or two habits that stood out to you, and see how you can implement them into your routine/rituals. Forget trying to fix everything overnight, that’ll only leads to burnout.

Start small. Build momentum.

Let yourself grow gradually, like you’re meant to.

As Marianne Williamson put it:

“The challenges we face in life are always lessons that serve our soul’s growth.”

If I had learned this lessons sooner, I could’ve saved myself a lot of stress. But hey — we live, we learn, right?

Anyways, I hope this list sparked a little lightbulb for you, — to be more, to do more, and to have more. Till next time, God bless