Growing Up Hacks: Every Year, You Think You Know Everything, And Then…

So, I’m 28 years old, and I don’t know everything. In fact, I am so far from knowing everything. On different topics, whether it is sexuality or personal identity, many teenagers think that they know everything (many adults think the same haha). However, I have learned something super important: no matter how old you get, you learn new things every passing year.

Here’s a quick breakdown of some hacks to keep in mind as you grow up.

#1: Don’t Wait to be Happy; Be Happy Now

Some of the saddest people in the world are that way because they decided, I’ll be so happy when …

Many people don’t realize that the key to happiness is to simply choose happy. Sure, mood swings happen all the time, but happiness is something you choose no matter what’s going on in your life. That’s why it does not make sense to take the one free thing in your life (happiness) and pair it up with certain conditions or achievements that you make.

Let the excitement and joy you feel after achieving a goal be something EXTRA while you’re already as happy NOW.

#2: If you believe learning never ends, you’ll be more successful than you can ever imagine

Many people stop learning after high school or college. There’s still so much more you can learn after school; life, everything around you, is a constant learning experience.

Some of the most rigid, shortsighted perceptions that people have about themselves and other people come from thinking they know “enough.” When you think about it, learning something new every day is perfect for being successful at anything you decide to do. Practice is another boost that your learning could use. Pair picking up some new knowledge daily with practice in other areas of your life, and you will be unstoppable.

#3: Your Identity and Your Future Is Mostly Your Concern

Many people might want to convince you otherwise, but the truth is that what you want to do with your future and the labels you choose for your identity is no one’s business but your own. It’s ok to be unsure about what labels work for you and what you want to do with your future. My best advice would be to pay attention to what goes on inside you, not what’s going on outside you.

#4: Choose Goal Setting Over Daydreaming

I made a post about choosing goals over dreams that I think you should read. Dreaming is free, but the goals you set are what really get you where you’ve always dreamed.

Setting a goal and achieving it is not easy; it costs more than daydreaming. What’s it going to be? Will you keep dreaming or do something about making your dreams come true? Your call.

#5: Keep Your Imagination Alive

Your imagination is where your creativity, ambition, and courage come from. It’s much different from dreams. In fact, it is where your dreams come from, and it is where your reality comes from too.

In our society today, so much of what we do to pay the bills, eat, or feel good threatens to kill our imagination. You may find yourself trapped by mindless jobs and endless deadlines at that job you don’t even like. As you grow up, your responsibility to yourself is to never let your imagination die. Most people fear their imagination; don’t be one of them.

#6: Friends come and go…but that shouldn’t include pushing the decent ones away

You should learn the difference between situations where you need to walk away from people and those that require you to fight and bend to maintain that friendship (because in the end you know its worth it). Friends are an essential part of our lives; they bring color and fun to the day to day; so why live without them?

When you find them, keep the right friends close…forever 

#7: What You Can Do Increases As You Grow Older

Many people think the chances of starting something huge in their lives reduce as they grow older. However, the opposite is the truth. As you grow older, you soak up more knowledge, which means that you significantly increase your chance of succeeding at anything because you know MORE (and you can continue to learn more!).

Instead of thinking, Oh, I’m too old to achieve that now, remember this article and its author says, Yes, you can.

#8: If You Listen, You’ll Always Find the Next Step for Yourself

The noise in your community, social media, and other parts of your life should not stop you from listening to yourself. You would be surprised at how many people do not listen to themselves during some of the most important decisions in their lives.

Make decisions, take steps that you’re okay with, take action, or walk away, the choice is yours!

Do Life from Your Heart

It’s the only way that’s worth it. You will gain fulfillment and meaning as you grow up with this point in mind; if it’s not coming from the heart, you might as well not do it at all.

I hope this helps!