25 for 25 - a little something life lessons from my 25 years on this planet

I turned 25 earlier this month. Yes, the golden 25. I’ve been on this planet for a quarter of a century. I finished high school, graduated from college with a masters, endured in something passionate, got a job (actually 3), started living by myself, and other accomplishments in life. With the help of my loving family and friends, the 25 years of my life has been a ride. However, there were a few things that I had to figure on my own and learn from my mistakes. Something which was out of my comfort ally yet had to be endured and come out victoriously because life had to go on. So, here are 25 lessons that I learnt in the 25 years of my existence.

ONE

Life is never perfect, but the magic lies in how you are to perfect it for you. As humans, we tend to take the easy way out—a route that our parents paved for us. But with a tint of a smile on your face dabbed with confidence, resilience and self-worth, you will make a life for yourself different from the people you grew up with and whom you know and adore.

TWO

It’s not that difficult to crack a conversation with a stranger. All you have to do is smile and say, hey.

THREE

You are not damaged, even when certain situations shatter you into pieces. Remember to carry a glue stick along with you because no one else will put together those broken pieces but yourself. It is fun.

FOUR

While you are fighting your demons, your parents are too. It is okay to guide your parents to the light at the end of the tunnel.

FIVE

People do not have to reciprocate the same feelings as yours. Your life comes with an asterisk mark. But the content that goes into it is something that you will decide.

SIX

It is okay to breakdown—it is human nature. It is okay to walk away with blood oozing from every part of your body. These scars on your sweet body will become a testament to the courageous human that you are today.

SEVEN

It’s okay to do stupid things. It’s okay to get on an aeroplane and fly thousands of miles only to get heartbroken. Experiences are worthy and teach you more than anything.

EIGHT

No matter how rebellious you are and stand against your family, they are the ones that will stand by your stand when you hit that rock bottom.

NINE

Money does give you freedom and happiness. Trust me.

TEN

Desires are vicious. Sometimes, you have to be wise enough to listen to your head while your heart asks you to be that hopeless romantic.

ELEVEN

Fall in love and get your heartbroken. It is one hell of an experience.

TWELVE

When life throws you curveballs, learn to catch them. Do wait to hug the curveball, for it will only hit you hard and knock you down.

THIRTEEN

It will cost you nothing to be a nice person and be nice to someone, even if the other person is a total dickhead. You never know what the other person is going through. It is easy to just easier to be a nice person.

FOURTEEN

It’s important to dream big. But make sure that you aren’t sleeping while dreaming big.

FIFTEEN

All the good things that you enjoy are for you to relish. Never feel guilty for that exact thing that makes you happy. You worked for it, and you deserved it.

SIXTEEN

Take a solo trip at least once before you turn 25. The exhilarating feeling of being there in the wild, all by yourself, figuring things on the go is a form of ecstasy that will get you high.

SEVENTEEN

It’s okay to put your interest before everyone else’s because you come first and then the others.

EIGHTEEN

Gift something special for yourself from your first paycheque before you gift something for others. We must untangle from the thoughts and believes that conditioned our entire lives.

NINETEEN

When life gets complicated, ask yourself if you want this complication. The answer is either a yes or a no, and it is easier to choose what you want.

TWENTY

Your life experiences are yours to cherish. Never let anyone nullify that.

TWENTY-ONE

Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet. So give yourself that extra time. The fruit that it bears will be beautiful than ever, beautiful than what you expected it to be.

TWENTY-TWO

Talk your heart out. Maybe the person you are talking to might or might not understand you, but you will never have to live with the guilt of ifs and buts.

TWENTY-THREE

You are more than you think you are. You are mightier than who you think you are. And you have the power in you to rise from the ashes. So believe in yourself.

TWENTY FOUR

It is okay if you want to buy that expensive piece of gadget or clothing. It is okay to associate your happiness with things, for it will not wake up one morning and say that it does not love you anymore.

TWENTY-FIVE

LIVE. Because all you have got is NOW. Learn from your past and live today. Forget about what will happen tomorrow because you do not know if you will wake up the following morning to experience the tomorrow that you have been planning today.

Somewhere between being 1-day-old and 25-years-old, I have learnt to live, love, forgive and be happy. What, why and how became the constant variables, allowing me to live my life the way I want.