101 Life Lessons to Learn
And my goals for parenting
(in no particular order).
1. Recognize good humans (and surround yourself with good humans).
2. Find peace and self-love with your inner being.
3. Practice self-care, listen to your body, and avoid burnout and negative energy. You can’t give to others if you haven’t secured your own health physically and mentally.
4. Learn time management and fulfill your responsibilities.
5. Own a failure, apologize when it’s deserved, and learn from your mistakes.
6. Have your own mind and voice your opinion respectfully (and know when and when not to speak up).
7. Learn how to converse with someone outside your wheelhouse (in an interview, social setting, or otherwise).
8. Learn basic handy skills – homeownership, car maintenance, roadside needs, and general repairs.
9. Travel internationally.
10. Know how to get a passport.
11. Know how to ask for a promotion (and raise) and know when you deserve it.
12. Know how to budget, save, and invest.
13. Know how to build good credit.
14. Know how to sew and alter clothing (even if it’s just to mend a small hole or popped button).
15. Learn to cook, meal plan, and food shop.
16. Be aware of toxic relationships. Get out and stay safe.
17. Learn how to communicate with your partner (friend, spouse, or colleague).
18. Treat service workers with the utmost respect.
19. Learn how to create a cover letter, resume, and portfolio.
20. Learn how to prepare for a job interview.
21. Learn how to choose health insurance and navigate the healthcare system.
22. Take your time finding the right general care physician.
23. Learn how to pay off a loan.
24. Register to vote and educate yourself on why it’s important to vote.
25. Know how to handle a car accident.
26. Know how to buy a car.
27. Know how to buy a house.
28. Know how to rent an apartment.
29. Learn etiquette – socially and professionally.
30. Learn basic survival skills: First Aid, CPR, swimming, how to light a fire, read a compass, make smoke signals, read a map, and change a car tire (leaves of three, let it be).
31. Be honest.
32. You have options, take your time deciding, and if you don’t like your decision, you have options.
33. Salary isn’t everything, but you must make a living.
34. Be self-reliant and independent.
35. You will never be an expert in every field - know when to ask for help and recognize when to help others.
36. Failure is an opportunity to try again.
37. Most of life is gray, not black or white. Appreciate that other people’s opinions matter, even if they don’t match yours.
38. Stick up for what you believe and (safely) speak up when you see harm being said or done.
39. Live within your means.
40. Moral ethics matter and should come from within. If something is a struggle, seek guidance from someone you trust.
41. Learn to speak publicly.
42. Your straight As won’t matter in your professional career. What matters is your insight and work ethic. But good grades might get you that first big break.
43. Travel and learn about other cultures. Your life bubble is not the norm. Meet new people. Ask questions. Seek information. Being well-rounded, educated, and aware will help you understand others and judge less.
44. Learn how to do something with your hands – garden, sew, design, create art, build.
45. Forgive – yourself and others.
46. Life has its ups and downs. There will be periods of sadness and others of great joy. Times when you feel lonely, and times when you wish you could have just one moment alone. Enjoy life.
47. Get enough sleep. Eat healthy. Exercise.
48. It’s okay to quit a job, break up with a partner, or break ties with someone toxic. Just do it respectfully, as best you can.
49. Always ask. The worst they’ll say is no.
50. Where you go to college often lands you your job opportunities. Check placement rates before attending college. And consider the location – would you want to live in that state / area for the next 5 to 10 years, maybe longer?
51. You’ll kiss a lot of frogs before you become royalty. Jobs, partners, locations – you’ll probably try on quite a few before you find what works for you.
52. Take consideration and trust your gut. When you get that offer, have an opportunity, or are given an ultimatum – think first and choose what you know works for you.
53. No means no, and saying no is always okay.
54. Make learning a lifelong habit. Stay curious.
55. Know how to create and live within a budget.
56. Take risks – life is short and opportunities don’t last forever.
57. Don’t believe the hype. Much of what you see isn’t real. Most of us are lost and don’t know.
58. You can break bad habits and change yourself.
59. Empathy and happiness are priceless skills to have.
60. This too shall pass.
61. Details matter – write thank you notes, send flowers, make phone calls.
62. Take pictures or keep a journal – you’ll appreciate them later, and if you have children, they’ll appreciate getting to know your history.
63. Quality matters. One good is better than ten meh.
64. The people you are with the most are the ones that will influence you the most. Choose wisely.
65. Crying is brave. Thinking differently is brave. Being honest is brave. Be brave.
66. People change – themselves. The best you can do is be there for them as a friend or an example and change how you react.
67. Actions speak louder than words. You can say any words you want, but only actions matter.
68. Be the Giving Tree – if you give, expect nothing in return. Gift without a need for a thank you. Donate without a need for recognition. Build without the need to be housed. Giving should be fulfilling enough.
69. KISS – Keep it Simple Stupid, less is more; remember Occam’s Razor.
70. Smile, and others will smile with you. Laugh, and you’ll bring laughter. Be the positive energy in the room.
71. Think outside the box. Just because it isn’t the way, doesn’t mean it’s not the way.
72. Life is unpredictable. Appreciate every moment.
73. Love is real. Sometimes it lasts forever. Sometimes it’s in a moment. To love is to live.
74. Learn how to plan and book a trip
75. Grow or raise something – plants, animals, mini humans. You’re not all there is.
76. Be kind.
77. Break the mold.
78. Learn how to drive a manual stick shift and how to drive well. It’s not that complicated and provides you with independence and freedom. Most of good driving is staying focused and alert.
79. Respond to texts, emails, and voicemails. Don’t ignore people. A quick message to say you’re very busy but promise to get back to them soon is an easy action to show your respect. But do make sure to get back to them.
80. Be fair – if someone treats you to lunch, take them to lunch. If someone buys you a celebratory gift, remember them on their next big day. If someone has been covering for you, let them have time for a well-deserved break.
81. Pay it forward. When you have the opportunity, do something nice for someone else.
82. Put a few dollars in the tip jar and a nickel in the penny tray.
83. Eat breakfast.
84. Take advice with an open mind, mull it over, and decide if there’s truth. Change what feels right to change. An outside perspective can often see clearer than our own mind.
85. Worrying doesn’t solve or prevent.
86. Take time to fall in love and if your family and friends don’t like your partner, take the time to consider why.
87. Make time for your family. Ultimately, they are your priority and will be there with you through it all.
88. Debt is not just what you owe on your credit card or loan. Debt is having to work to pay the bills.
89. Save for a car, a house, retirement, but also for that vacation, that roof replacement, that emergency you weren’t expecting.
90. Spend time with your children. They will grow up with or without you.
91. Embrace aging.
92. Happiness is a choice. Choose happy.
93. Always ask your doctor what they would prescribe their child, mom, or spouse (in any given diagnosis).
94. Laugh at yourself. If you laugh at your mistakes, trips, and brain fart moments, the worst anyone else can do is laugh with you.
95. If you’re not feeling well, rest. If you’re tired, nap. If you’re sick, take a day off.
96. Don’t interrupt – let them speak first.
97. Roll with it, or learn to adapt.
98. Stay active.
99. Mourning a loss is natural and healthy. Take time to appreciate your need to mourn.
100. You can live all these words of advice and still have days you’d rather stay in bed and moments when you judge or are snarky. It’s okay. We’re human. Go easy on yourself.
101. “Screws fall out all the time. The world’s an imperfect place.” - John Bender
(Read good books, watch good movies.)
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