This week, I celebrated the fact that I’ve been in existence on this planet for a full 24 years. To some readers, that might not seem a lot. But, to me, it is. In fact, it’s 8766 days. Or 210,000 hours. And while there’s not a huge deal of hulabaloo about turning 24, it’s a good excuse to take stock and evaluate.
For me,
birthdays are a time not only to look back at what you’ve achieved but, more
importantly, to outline what you want from the time ahead of you. Goals are
important but simply having them doesn’t mean you’re pursuing them. I have my
own goals (which I won’t share here) and I hope I’ll be able to say I’ve
achieved some of them by my 25th birthday. But, to give myself the
best chance of achieving those goals, I have to use the things I’ve learnt over
the last 24 years. So, in a relatively concise BuzzFeed-meets-Baz Luhrmann way,
here are my cultural learnings for life at 24:
Make Time for Others
If you’re lucky, family will always be there for you. If they aren’t, then hopefully your friends will. But it is a ‘give and take’ relationship. Now is the time to take care of those who cared for you when you were younger, and to find time to see them when other things might seem more pressing. These are the people who keep you grounded and give you a point of reference in this otherwise existentialist pandemonium.
Look After Your Body
Exercise. Despite what that tube of Pringles says, it is really good for you. Body image, health, endorphins. Use them all to make yourself a more confident and happier person. But remember that your health is yours. Do not compare yourself to those around you, otherwise you will lose sight of why you are doing it. You are only in competition with yourself.
Listen More Than You Talk
It is extremely difficult to learn anything whilst you are talking. Listen to what is being said around you and contribute when you think you have something worth adding to conversation. Bluster and self-importance are not attractive traits. Wisdom is a positive by-product of experience, and the more observant you try to be, the more of every experience you will absorb.
If you’re lucky, family will always be there for you. If they aren’t, then hopefully your friends will. But it is a ‘give and take’ relationship. Now is the time to take care of those who cared for you when you were younger, and to find time to see them when other things might seem more pressing. These are the people who keep you grounded and give you a point of reference in this otherwise existentialist pandemonium.
Look After Your Body
Exercise. Despite what that tube of Pringles says, it is really good for you. Body image, health, endorphins. Use them all to make yourself a more confident and happier person. But remember that your health is yours. Do not compare yourself to those around you, otherwise you will lose sight of why you are doing it. You are only in competition with yourself.
Listen More Than You Talk
It is extremely difficult to learn anything whilst you are talking. Listen to what is being said around you and contribute when you think you have something worth adding to conversation. Bluster and self-importance are not attractive traits. Wisdom is a positive by-product of experience, and the more observant you try to be, the more of every experience you will absorb.
Trust Your Judgement
Being observational also improves your judgement. Know to trust your instinct because, most of the time, it will be right. When you are conflicted or unsure, consult those whose judgement you trust. Chances are, they’ll confirm what you were already thinking.
Don’t Use the Fear of Failure as a Reason Not to Do Something
So often, people choose unhappiness or stability simply because it is safe. To fall short of a goal is not a failure. To not try when nothing but fear stands in the way is. Ask the universe for what you want, otherwise you won’t receive it.
Love Honestly
Tell those that matter to you that they do. If they don’t, then don’t lie to them. People will respect you more for being honest with them, even if it is more difficult for you. Again, ask the universe (or those you love, for that matter) for what you want.
Sleep
This one is probably counter-intuitive to making time for others but… make time to sleep. Going to bed early doesn’t make you old – in fact, if you remember arguing about your childhood bedtime, staying up late is for old people. Stay vibrant.
Fill Your Time
If there’s anything to learn from The Shawshank Redemption (other than that it takes roughly 20 years to tunnel out of a prison) it’s that you should ‘get busy living or get busy dying’. Once you’ve had the sleep you need, enjoy life. Do things you enjoy and share it with others who do too. When work and money allow, see and do the things you’d regret not doing.
If there’s anything to learn from The Shawshank Redemption (other than that it takes roughly 20 years to tunnel out of a prison) it’s that you should ‘get busy living or get busy dying’. Once you’ve had the sleep you need, enjoy life. Do things you enjoy and share it with others who do too. When work and money allow, see and do the things you’d regret not doing.
Celebrate Others
As with exercise, you are only in competition with yourself. Promotions, holidays and luck are things to share in. Someone in life will always have more than you, whether that be finance or fortune. Life isn’t fair, so make the most of what comes your way.
As with exercise, you are only in competition with yourself. Promotions, holidays and luck are things to share in. Someone in life will always have more than you, whether that be finance or fortune. Life isn’t fair, so make the most of what comes your way.
Never Stop Developing
Whether you’re doing well or feel that you’re pushing water uphill, never stop developing yourself. Considering yourself a complete article breeds complacency. If you’re down on the mat, gather your strength and go again. Bettering yourself is the one constant in life in which you should try to be selfish. Keep designing projects – large and small – and feel the satisfaction of completing them. Your biggest project in life should be how you feel about yourself.
Whether you’re doing well or feel that you’re pushing water uphill, never stop developing yourself. Considering yourself a complete article breeds complacency. If you’re down on the mat, gather your strength and go again. Bettering yourself is the one constant in life in which you should try to be selfish. Keep designing projects – large and small – and feel the satisfaction of completing them. Your biggest project in life should be how you feel about yourself.
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