7 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I Was 18

Life’s extremely complex. Fourteen years ago I was turning 18. I had a good childhood, amazing friends, and a pretty decent social environment around me. Still, at that age, I was a young and careless girl who did not expect much. It took me 14 years to reach my goals, and it’s been a great journey. However, if I could talk to my 18 year old self now, I would definitely change her trajectory for the better.

In today’s western society, patience is such a rare trait. People want it all, and they want it now. Yet, without patience, you will never make the best out of your actions. Rushing towards a result is foolish. Instead, be patient and consistent.

I never understood this saying until I felt it myself. If you want to do better in life, start reading. Begin learning new things, and open up your path to self-progression. Once you acquire knowledge in different fields, many doors will open up for you.

Many people say that they don’t have time. When I hear that, I always reply by assuring them that there is no such thing as “lack of time.” We have time, we really do. What people mean by saying “I don’t have time” is that they have different priorities and nothing else.

Money and status are part of the materialistic grounds. If you wish to be happy, you’d better stop thinking about fame, status, and financial wealth. These are pure distractions. They’re holding you from exploring different (and the real) paths towards self-fulfillment.

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There’s only the present moment. The past and the future are merely illusions of our brain. We tend to think of the past as the “truth,” but if 10 people watch a movie, each of them will relate it differently because they’ve digested it differently. Think about an experience that happened three or four years ago. Do you recall it the same now?

You should never take things personally. Every person has his own filters of perception. Why should you ever take anyone else’s opinion personally?

Before involving in a long-term career, business, or activity, you’d better know why you’re doing it. Always start with this question: “Why?”

Why am I doing this? Why do I hang out with these people? Why do I work for this boss?

Don’t stop growing and always do your best to experience as many things as possible. Age is just a number, so don’t fall into a trap.