For sure, many of us have a list of things we wanted to do or achieve before turning to a certain age where we feel like we wouldn’t have enough energy or will power to do what’s written on that checklist. As for me who just turned 50 this year, I want to take a step back and assess what I have gone through that makes me who I am today. So I created a list, not of the things I was looking forward to, but the IMPORTANT LESSONS I personally experienced while living the life I chose.

These 50 life lessons are simple and we sometimes forget they exist or they matter in life, which makes them more significant and impactful.

Gratitude is powerful. I personally believe that when you are grateful for what you have—even just small things—you’ll end up having more.

Listen and learn from old people. Growing old takes a lot of effort to accomplish, hence elderly people are more wise and experienced in life. Take time to listen to them and learn from their experiences.

Eat healthy, your health will always be your wealth. No matter how powerful, rich, or accomplished you are, it will all be wasted if you take your health for granted. Remember, focus on your goals but never neglect your health.

Prioritize your mental health. Aside from your journey in life, there is also a journey within yourself. Your mental health also needs a great deal of attention, it is the center of your drive to accomplish many things.

The importance of exercising and yoga. Becoming old is inevitable, but it cannot stop you from feeling young. What helps me get through physical changes is doing exercises such as yoga.

Remember: progress, not perfection. In life, perfection does not exist. Focus on yourself, be proud of all the progress you’ve made, especially the progress that no one else has seen.

Do what makes you happy, you live for you and not for other people. By now you must have realized that life is short, so make every moment count! Do not make space for doubts and self pity. Live your life in happiness and prosperity.

Stop caring about what other people say, you control your own life. As Meryl Streep said: “The minute you start caring about what other people think, is the minute you stop being yourself.”

Read, read, and read books! Reading is essential especially if you want to rise above the ordinary. You’ll be surprised to know what positive changes a single book can offer.

Share your blessings especially to those who are unfortunate. Blessings, they are around us. We receive them because we deserve them, and at the same time, they are to be shared with other people.

Be excited with your travel goals. Traveling makes you modest, and it provides a different perspective in life. You’ll come to realize that there are far bigger things than being stuck with your problems. 

Get out of your comfort zone. Life is too magical to be stuck in one corner. Be adventurous, courageous, and spontaneous 

The beginning isn’t always easy, but it gets better in time. Starting a new job? Or is it your first time being a college student? Or perhaps a parent? Remember, nothing is easy at first. You’ll get confused and lost, but it all gets well. Your hard work will be paid with a bigger prize.

Always do the right thing. I heard this from Oprah during her speech to college students. One of the most natural super powers of humans is doing the right thing. It may not be easy sometimes, but you’ll always get a positive result.

Venture into the things you love. As for me who is always busy with career and family, I have created a fun and essential planner for hardworking women. Writing down my plans keeps me motivated and focused.

Being a parent is not always fun, but it is fulfilling. The thing about parenthood is that there are no rules, which makes it so difficult. But you could always create your own rule, bringing up your children in your own way is the most fulfilling part.

Always adapt to a new environment, like living abroad. It is difficult at first, there are abrupt changes and you need to adjust in a lot of ways. But at the end of the day, your home will always be your loved ones, the environment is just the setting.

Hugs are ALWAYS important, everyone needs it. Hugs are powerful, it is a way to communicate a feeling without saying something. A simple hug can warm a heart, it is a universal medicine for people who are going through difficult times.

Focus your life on GOD. Faith keeps you grounded. Fear nothing and pray about everything. He is always listening.

Success is a peace of mind. This is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you gave your 100% effort to achieve what you have been longing for. You deserve to celebrate even small successes.

You may not always know everything about yourself, discover more of your capabilities and hone skills. In life you’ll be confronted with a lot of questions and doubts, through this you’ll realize a lot of new things about you. Do not limit yourself. 

Be mindful and vigilant even in small things. Survival in life depends on your ability to be aware of things around you. Be sensitive and reactive, it’ll help you with every journey.

Try meditation. I meditate to calm myself and to refocus my energy on the things that matter. At some point, you’ll get lost and disorganized with all the things happening around you. Meditation applies brakes to the mind, it’ll help you get through various thoughts and emotions.

Self care is the most important type of care. Taking care of yourself is not just a necessity but a responsibility. Remember that self-care is not a selfish act, it is the first step of being able to help other people. Love yourself first and then everything will follow.

Take a rest from time to time, you need it. Be kind enough to yourself. When you’re tired, give yourself a break. You need to be physically, mentally, and emotionally stable to continue on achieving your goals.

A 12-hour sleep isn’t a bad idea. Do not feel guilty whenever you sleep for 12 hours straight. As a matter of fact, you need to be grateful that your body has recharged and replenished energy.

Learn how to say “NO.” You cannot please everybody and just say yes about everything. You have to learn to say no without feeling guilty, setting boundaries is healthy. You need to learn to respect and take care of yourself.

Don’t be afraid of things you don’t know, it will help you become a better person. It is not about becoming fearless, everyone has their fears. It is about learning how to control your fear and getting through it.

Challenges make us stronger. Life is like a road, it has many bumps, bends, ups, and downs. Sometimes when passing through it, you will meet your darkest moments, but strive valiantly through it with courage. You’ll see the treasure at the end of the road.

Your past doesn’t define you and your future. Remember, you cannot change the past, but you can change and become a better person. The future is yet to be determined and can be influenced by what you do today. Today is the only day that really matters.

It is always okay to make mistakes. Mistakes have the power to turn you into something better than you were before.

Not all people are good in your life, avoid the toxics. You’ll be amazed at how quickly things can turn around when you remove toxic people from your life. The less you respond to negative people, the more peaceful your life will become.

Your true friends will always support you. Having a good support system like your friends is good for your lifetime. Give back, focus on the people who are also willing to support you.

Criticisms are healthy if you take them lightly and correctly. You cannot avoid judgement, it is part of our lives and to our growth as a perhhson. But do not let these judgements define you as a person. You live your life in a way you want it to be.

If plan A doesn’t work, there are still 25 more letters in the alphabet. You will not achieve all your goals. But it does not mean you cannot create another goal..

Be patient, God always has plans. You’ll experience rejections, A LOT. But do not be disheartened, for there are more opportunities waiting for you. Do not let a single rejection stop you from trying and discovering.

Listen to your intuition. You have an inner voice that speaks the truth, listen to it for it is a deep and powerful source of wisdom and honesty.

Take the initiative. Concentrate upon what you can do and do it with confidence. Success comes from taking the initiative and following up. I would rather regret the things I have done than the things I have not.

Compare less, focus on your progress. Things happen differently to each and one of us. It will not make you more powerful or important by comparing yourself with other people. But rather, focus on yourself and be content with what you have achieved.

You can’t have all the answers, and it is FINE. The mystery of life is not knowing all the things, and it is okay. We need to come to terms and accept the fact that there are things that need to be hidden, to stay unanswered or untouched. 

Say sorry when you are wrong. Apologizing will not make you less of a person, especially if you are at fault, rather, it will make you a better person. Not admitting a mistake is a bigger mistake.

Failure is a learning experience. Just because you fail once, does not mean you’re going to fail at everything. Failures are stepping stones to your success.

You can always make a new beginning, life is not a race. Do not set your goals by what other people deem important. You can start at something because success does not have a timeline or an expiration.

Whatever you do, you need courage. Your ultimate weapon for fears and doubts is your courage. Always believe in yourself and your capabilities in doing something extraordinary.

Let go of those things that inflicted you pain, learn to forgive and move on. Do not imprison yourself with hatred and resentment towards other people who hurt you. Forgiveness is something you provide yourself in order to be free.

Accept changes even if you don’t want them, everything happens for a reason. The only permanent thing in life is change. Changes will always happen, both planned and unexpected. What you can do is accept them and live by them.

Crying will not make you look weak. Do not apologize for crying, it is a perfectly natural thing to do. Crying means you feel something important, and that you care about things.

Whatever happens to you belongs to you.Throughout your journey in life, everything that will happen depends on your decisions and choices. Do not blame other people for your failure and only congratulate yourself for your success.