23 Lessons I Learned in 23 Years

Hey Lifestyle Fam! so my birth month April is finally at its end and, I just wanted to share how it has come to my attention that birthdays are not something you look forward to anymore as you grow old lol. You just look forward to it because there is food! And may probably have the special pass on household chores too. Hahaha. However, the bottom line of birthdays for me now is I am getting older. *starts counting the accomplishments and gets anxious*

But hey! No biggie, age is just a number- right?; if we choose to see it that way. Growing also has its perks as you become stronger, more mature, and be enriched with lessons that school does not teach. You see a whole new world and your mindset goes so far.

So as a gift for our readers, let me share some of the lessons I learned in my 23 years of existence because life can suck, however, it does not mean you have to put up with it, right?. Hahaha.

1. One of the best decisions you will ever make is to leave toxic people and relationships behind. Don't be afraid to lose people who do not value you; because once you do, you will see how worthy and amazing your life can be without all these people pulling you back to your full potential.

2. Everything takes time- be patient. I remember in college that I held the new iPhone 7 plus in my hands- I prayed I get to buy one since I liked the camera. Hahaha. Then after years and years have passed, Voila! I had bought my very first iPhone with my own money-it felt very rewarding so things do take time. Don't give up! the day will come that your prayers will be answered no matter how small or big it is. Have faith and work hard.

3. Life is a Ferris wheel- sometimes up sometimes down. Everyone faces problems but, in the end, things will get better- it will pass. Just remember the happy times and live for those moments instead.

4. No matter how kind you are, there will always be people who won't like you and it is your choice to care or not. Focus on the people who love you for who you are, you do not need other people’s negativity in your life. Their judgments do not define you, it defines them.

5. Do not be afraid to speak up. Especially when you know you are right! lol

6. Your true competitor is yourself. The betrayal! ugh with our laziness, fears, and a long list of excuses on why we cannot accomplish something. So dear self, shut up and want it more than you fear it!

Here is a link to one of our posts that will hopefully help you fight procrastination and laziness.

https://alifestyleaffair.wixsite.com/home/post/great-motivational-sayings-to-wake-you-up-in-lazy-land-and-chase-your-dreams-instead

7. Every story has two sides. Do not immediately judge at a half said story and always find the truth because misunderstandings and false accusations can result in a conflict that costs your credibility.

8. Being out of your comfort zone is the step to living your life to the fullest. Once you overcome something you are scared to do no matter how small, you will be surprised how confident you are to do bigger things.

9. Start Now

If you are the type of person who postpones multiple times because you kept saying, “I am not ready, I can do better." - guess what? You will never be ready. Take it from my experience- I never got to accomplish anything -so thank goodness that after five years of wanting to blog, I finally did it!. The first step to being better is to start so you can improve because, in the end, you will regret that you have not started sooner.

10. Loneliness is never the reason why you should enter a relationship. Love is yieee hahaha

11. Set Boundaries. to avoid being mistreated and become accustomed to it.

12. Taking Care of Yourself Physically, Mentally, and Spiritually is very important. A healthy life is a happy life. (Great slogan for nutrition month. Hahaha) Plus! how will you live life if you are always busy with the never-ending visit to hospitals and most of all the pain in experiencing sickness so please do take care of your health.

13. Keep educating yourself. Knowledge and skills will always be the power that no one else can take away from you, so aside from reading books, don’t be afraid to experience new things as it is always the best teacher.

14. Change is good. The nice kind!

15. Make every moment count. Time can never go back, so live life like there is no tomorrow!

16. Take action rather than just saying words. If you keep telling your friends about your plans but have no action, then what you say is just a dream. Say it as you mean it! Do more.

17. Everything happens for a reason. People and opportunities come and go. Life is unpredictable, but I am sure it takes us one step at a time to who we are supposed to be if we choose to accept it.

18. Privacy is the best policy. Your whole community does not need to know your business. Being low-key and private is the best thing as there are no expectations and pressure from other people. Privacy is your right.

19. Always be grateful. Sometimes all you need is on the ground (get it? Blinks anyone? jk!) hahaha. We all are blessed if we choose to see the good in our lives.

20. Don't Grow too fast. Yes, emphasizing it! for my young teenage readers even those entering their 20's or at their early 20's, cherish and enjoy every minute of your youth!!. Growing up is not always fun as it seems to be hahaha.

21. Do not put different products on your face. Yes, beauty tip! I learned it the hard way. Goodbye, flawless skin, and welcome the outbreak aside from covid, the terrifying adult acne.

22. Travel, Travel, Travel the world. Indeed the world is a book that you should not miss reading per chapter because on every page we learn and see all the possibilities and beauty of what life has to offer. We deserve to see everything even just once in our lifetime!

23. It is okay not to know who we are yet. I believe that life is trial and error with chasing our different passions and ambitions to experiencing our failures and successes- I know it is confusing and hard but always keep in mind to never give up and enjoy the journey to finding out who you are destined to be.

Oh and wait! Save the Best for Last! A very Special Bonus Lesson that I want you to always keep in your heart hahaha.

0. God will never let you down. Whenever I felt down, I always went to church. It is unexplainable how He always had the way to lift me up and answer the questions running in my mind! through the next mass when the priest is preaching or something happens that gives me clarity. All I can say to you is whenever you are at your darkest and especially when you feel doing something irrational, just breathe and pray to Him, I believe He is always there to guide us and keeps letting us know that we are not alone by giving the tiniest wake-up call we sometimes tend to overlook. So have faith in Him always.

Forever Young,

Mz. Nina