LESSONS I'VE LEARNED AT 20YO

Lessons I’ve learned so far in my life as a 20yo

A simple list of things I think are worthwhile to help the human condition.

Reposted from Instagram, with some edits. May 31, 2023.

1. Document your journey

whether that be through journaling, online documentation through Instagram or Twitter, document your journey.

Share the value that you have been building to prove that it is not only possible to yourself, but to your community.

It shows where you started. It builds character. And it show's authenticity.

It shows where you are at in your journey, from the changing of ideas over time, your use of vocabulary, etc.

It's valuable.

2. Your brain will come up with ideas... If you let it.

your brain can be a power house for beautifully crafted and creative ideas on the condition that you allow it to.

I don't need to explain to you the implications that constant media consumption is doing to our focus because you probably already understand that it isn't helping.

Cut down your screen time and take time to sit, stare into space, and think.

You will notice that answers to questions and ideas start to appear. Write them down.

2. Write down your goals, review them, and plan daily.

what do you want to achieve in this world? and how are you going to get it?

In conjunction with time for thought, you will slowly gain clarity on your purpose.

Keep reiterating, reviewing them, and planning your day around how you're going to get it.

3. Turn to God for answers, you will get them in due time.

Matthew 21:22 says If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer"

It's among the idea of ask and you shall receive, knock and the door will be opened to you.

Christ is always the option to turn to, for it's our calling, we just need to listen.

A lot of the time we fail to consider our spiritual nourishment, leaving a feeling partly of emptiness, and through Christ as a path to salvation we may fill that.

Pray for a change of heart, and a desire to follow Christ, read the gospel and God will speak to you.

4. What you once wished for you will get in due time.

your past self is simply a version of you that doesn't know what you know now.

Philosopher Epicurus says “Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.”

i.e Trust the process.

5. Journal to empty your mind.

your brain is not meant to hold ideas.

Your brain is the powerhouse for all your thoughts and ideas, obviously.

But with the concept of mental storage, you can only remember so much.

Write down your thoughts and ideas.

6. Lose your arrogance, and practice gratitude daily.

happiness is a skill. in the end it's our ego and arrogance that plagues us.

The feeling that someone has wronged you, and the need to get back at them for it, there is no worth in it. No value.

To lose your pride, to express and practice gratitude and happiness as much as you can is truly life changing.

Just think of some things, whatever it may be, write down what you are grateful for as sappy as it is.

7. Treat yourself with respect, regardless whether you fail.

self talk is everything. it warps your perception of yourself and the world around you.

As a chronic overthinker, I'm more than tempted to worry about every little thing.

But a wise man once told me that all the little problems in your head, are literally just that.

Meditation, journaling and gratitude all go hand in hand.

Why make your situation worse? Breathe and let those nagging thoughts pass.

8. Your perception of yourself can be self-fulfilling.

your identity truly changes the way you act, don't limit yourself by it.

Fake it until you make it as the old mantra goes.

You are only as good as you believe yourself to be, so be great.

9. The most important step, take time to improve an area of your life by even 1% daily.

constantly take action to improve in anything daily.

The times passing already, why not make something of it?

— Sam