10 Hard Truths I Learned by 28

by Read It 03 January 2022 205

That I Wish I Knew Sooner. This list is a small summation of things I have learned

I turned 28 this year. I still have many things to learn but, as I approach my 30’s, there has been a great deal of self-reflection. If I could go back, what would I do differently? What do I know now that I wish I knew then? This list is a small summation of things I have learned.

10 Hard Truths I Learned by 28

1. Balance

Without balance, you will burnout. It doesn’t matter how badly you want it — nothing will push you to succeed more than a healthy amount of relaxation, exercise, and sleep.

“I see a world on the edge of a blade. Without balance, it will fall.”

― Victoria Aveyard

2. Plan

If you have no backup plan, you will wake up one day with no idea where to go next. You will be lost and scared. As you grow older, dreams can change but the amount of planning you did along the way will not.

“Nothing is more imminent than the impossible . . . what we must always foresee is the unforeseen.”

― Victor Hugo

3. Time

Every year, time will go by a little faster. You won’t notice it until entire months fly by in a blink. The only way to slow it down — even a little bit — is by changing your routine and trying something new.

“How did it get so late so soon?”

― Dr. Seuss

4. Friends

The way your friends talk about others is likely how they talk about you. Take part as little as possible. There is nothing lighter than a clear conscience.

“If you hang out with chickens, you’re going to cluck and if you hang out with eagles, you’re going to fly.”

― Steve Maraboli

5. Money

Plan for a day when you need a lot of money and are making none. Save it as much as possible. Budget.

“While money can’t buy happiness, it certainly lets you choose your own form of misery.”

― Groucho Marx

6. Hobbies

If you really want to be good at something, dedicate time towards it — even just a few minutes a day. If you are not dedicating the time, you are not prioritizing your own growth.

“Persistence. Perfection. Patience. Power. Prioritize your passion. It keeps you sane.”

― Criss Jami

7. Thought

Don’t believe anything at face value, even if it aligns with your own ideas. Always ask questions and be skeptical. Don’t be afraid of admitting you’re wrong.

“If you only read the books that everyone else is reading, you can only think what everyone else is thinking.”

― Haruki Murakami

8. Dreams

No matter how much you succeed or accomplish, you will always be focused on what happens next. It’s hard to feel completely content in the moment, but try and enjoy the ride.

“Life is now. Not a second before not a second later.”

― Yogini Patil

9. Life

Spend less time in your head. You deserve to live your life without the constant worry of not being accepted by others.

“Live in the moment… but don’t be led by the moment, or the people who belong to it.”

― J. Aleksandr Wootton

10. Age

No matter how old you get, you never really grow up. You will feel the same way you did at 18 as you do at 28 — the only difference is age and experience.