Over the past year, I’ve learned a lot about myself and compiled a list of life lessons, big and small, that I wish I had known when I first entered “the real world” after college.
The biggest thing I’ve learned?
That learning never stops.
But there were things big and small along the way that I’ve collected here so that maybe you don’t have to learn them all the hard way like I did:
- Use sunscreen. More than you think you need to. Trust me, your future self will thank you.
- Stop comparing your timeline to others. Every time you see wedding posts, baby pictures, or graduation celebrations on social media, first remember that people always post their highlights. Then, remember that just because someone else is achieving a milestone that you haven’t yet doesn’t mean you are “behind” them in any way. We are all just going through life at our own pace and making our own milestones, whether traditional or not.
- Chobani Vanilla Oatmilk. Highly recommend. It goes well in iced coffee or hot coffee, and I even like it with hot tea before bed sometimes.
- Stop limiting yourself. You are smart enough to reach higher. Read that again. And again. Let it sink in. I wish so badly that I had realized this much sooner than I did.
- To make a friend, assume they already are one. I think the usual saying is, “To make a friend, you must be a friend,” but I always felt like that was too much pressure and just made me overthink interactions with people even more. Recently, I’ve realized it’s much easier just to assume you already are friends. Everyone is flattered to be treated like a friend, and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy most of the time.
- There is no shame in taking care of your mental health. This is another thing I wish I had realized so much sooner because I blamed myself for my struggles. I thought that I was just doing a poor job of being a human all the time, and everyone else just had it figured out. It turned out I had an anxiety disorder on top of undiagnosed ADHD. Once I started going to therapy and taking medication, my entire life changed. I wouldn’t even be in this program had I not started taking care of my mental health.
- Bring the Tums. And the Advil. Better safe than sorry.
- Aquaphor is the best chapstick, hands down. Apply before bed and get an extra for on-the-go use.
- Drink water. You’ll feel so much better throughout the day.
- Exfoliate. It’s the key to soft skin.
- Mom was right about Epsom salt baths. Relaxing for the body and for the soul. See point #6.
- You don’t have to stay at the same job. If you are unhappy, leave. Again, see point #6.
- Never stop learning. The big and small things add up to make life better, but it comes down to finding what works for you, and that will take time. You will continue learning this for the rest of your life.
Columnist: Kathryn McIntosh