10 Powerful Life Lessons

The experiences in my 28 years on this earth thus far have taught me a lot about myself, other people, and how to navigate life in general. I decided to make a list of ten of the many lessons which now shape my outlook of life.


  1. Do not expect people to share your values.

Sometimes you will find yourself in a situation where you have to continuously explain how someone else’s actions offended, disrespected, or hurt you. Most people can only see the world through the lenses of their own experiences. As much as you would wish that people can see their actions from your perspective, you have to learn to accept that this may be futile when people lack the ability to reason objectively. What you may consider to be unacceptable behavour just might be completely acceptable to another person. That’s just life.

lesson 1


  1. Words mean little without actions.

Always be careful with what people say. People can promise you the world but what do their actions really show? I realise that now more than ever we are surrounded by a lot of talkers and not many doers. It is truly a beautiful thing when words and actions are complementary.

lesson 2


  1. Always trust your instincts.

Vibes never lie. You know that gut feeling you get when you just know that something isn’t going to work out? Trust it. You are not being paranoid. Trusting your instincts can save you from a lot of unnecessary stress.

lesson 3


  1. Never underestimate the importance of alone time.

Everyone needs alone time. You need to become your own best friend. You need to appreciate yourself in all your glory. Solitude is not loneliness. Spend some time alone to unwind and recharge your batteries.

lesson 4


  1. It is okay to walk away from toxic people and situations.

Sometimes some situations and people just need to be left alone. Engaging with toxicity is just detrimental to your health and sanity. Understand that it is okay to walk away, not with anger or bitterness, but with the realisation that you have to accept the things you cannot change and move on.

lesson 5


  1. You need to forge your own identity.

Knowing who you truly are is one of the most fundamental keys to living an authentic life. Self-awareness is of the utmost importance. Once you understand and accept who you are you would then be able to ascertain what is and is not acceptable to you.

lesson 6


  1. Learning is a lifelong process.

You are never too old to learn. You learn so much about yourself when you become exposed to new skills, concepts, or even a new way of doing something. Embrace knowledge and seek continuous advancement.

lesson 7


  1. Cherish the genuine people in your life.

It is very rare to find people who actually care about you unconditionally so hold on to those who do. Genuine people are hard to find in this world of fickle relationships. Discernment is necessary to figure out who really is on your side. However, when you find genuine people cherish and appreciate them.

lesson 8


  1. All that glitters is not gold.

Appearances can be deceiving. People can go through great lengths to portray the perfect image. I have learnt that sometimes people project greatness but they are really just empty inside.

lesson 9


  1. Never be afraid to walk your own journey.

Your journey in life does not have to mimic any other person’s. Stop comparing yourself to your friends or family members. Set your own goals and work towards them.

lesson 10


What are some of the lessons that you have learnt?