30 Lessons I Learned in My 30 Years of Existence

Thirty years old — it’s everyone’s target date to achieve something.

By 30 years old…

…I’ll have my own house.

…I’ll have my own family.

…I’ll have $1,000,000 in my bank.

These are the usual “goals” set by people who are in their teenage years or 20’s.

I’m guilty of that, unfortunately, I didn’t achieve the goal I set for 30 years old, which is having my own house. However, I did learn many things in my 30 years of existence.

1. Life is unfair.

No matter how compliant you are to life’s unwritten rules, life will always challenge you.

Adding it as the first because it’s the most important of all. I was diagnosed with epilepsy when I was 17 years old. I ranked third in the batch and I was in the volleyball varsity team, but everything went awry. Because of hospitalization, I dropped from the third in the batch to the 11th. I remember a batchmate smiling and saying: “You’ve dropped really low.” Schadenfreude. I also had to give up playing volleyball because it’s a contact sport.

There were moments when I asked, “Why did it have to be me?” — an ambitious kid who had lots of dreams. Dreams that had to be set aside or completely forgotten. After years of having this condition, I realized, well, I have to play the cards I’m dealt with.

2. Your health is your № 1 priority.

No matter how busy you are, take a few minutes to stay active. Staying active not only helps you be physically healthy; it can also help you stay sane.

After I got sick, I made my health a priority. I meditated, practiced yoga, exercised regularly, and learned to eat vegetables.

Exercise not to get the physique that you want, but to prevent sedentary lifestyle-related illnesses. Find that physical activity you enjoy and everything else will follow.

3. Read a lot of books. Read on topics that matter to you.

Sixteen years of formal education won’t teach you everything you need in life.

Reading is one way to stay committed to your personal development journey. Read books that will help you grow in whatever area you need in this stage of your life.

4. Be independent, but know that it’s okay to have someone as well.

No one helped me do my homework as a kid, that’s why I became independent.

Being independent doesn’t mean that you don’t need anyone; being independent is knowing what you can accomplish on your own and knowing when you need others to help you. So, yes, it’s okay to ask for help!

5. Track your money.

Tracking your money is more than knowing where you spent your money; it teaches you to adjust your expenses to meet your financial goals.

6. Keep your life private.

Set your social media profiles to private, especially if you’re an avid user.

Have you seen stories on Instagram where you choose between two things? Pizza or burger? Dog or cat?

Or maybe you’ve seen Facebook posts that “hero name” based on your birthday?

These quizzes may seem innocuous, but strangers can use your answers to hack your security questions.

7. Invest in yourself

The biggest investment you can make is in yourself. How would you achieve your goals if you don’t spend money on yourself?

Warren Buffet’s greatest investment isn’t on Coca-Cola stocks, but it’s on a Dale Carnegie Course in Effective Speaking and Leadership Training.

May it be a book, club membership, or online course, don’t think twice. The return on investment is greater than you think.

8. People like to talk about themselves, don’t be like that.

Some people make the topic about them.

Have you ever experienced talking about your vacation in Hawaii and then suddenly a friend makes the conversation about her cousin’s vacation in Hawaii?

Conversation is a two-way street, but there are some people who make it all about them. Don’t be that person. Listen to people’s stories, and if they ask about your story, share it with them. Don’t force them to listen to your story.

9. Drink the right amount of water.

It has been instilled in us by our parents or grandparents that we should drink lots of water. What they didn’t mention is drinking too much can cause water intoxication.

10. You can give a piece of advice or share what worked for you, but it doesn’t mean your friend will follow it.

The teacher will appear when the student is ready.

I had friends who shared their woes with me. Some I’ve experienced for myself, some I haven’t. I shared things I did or things they can do, but I noticed that they don’t always “follow” it and that’s okay. Don’t feel bad. It’s their decision.

11. Prioritize sanity over anything.

If something makes you lose your mind, may it be your work or friends, let it go.

You can always earn money.

You can always meet new friends.

12. Be sincerely interested in people.

People tell me I’m a good listener, that’s why they share their stories with me.

Am I really a good listener? For them I am.

And how did I become one? I listen to their stories or problems without the intent of replying or even sharing my own experience. I listen because they need someone to listen to them. When you listen to their stories, it shows that you’re interested in them.

But should you just listen? Didn’t I mention conversation is a two-way street? No, ask questions. If your friend tells you about the job she’s applying for, ask more about it.

13. Don’t lend money to people.

Does it make me seem greedy? I hope not. In my defense, I lend money to people, but not to just any people, I lend them to my family.

I don’t lend money to friends because money can ruin friendships.

15. Be yourself because you’re going to be judged anyway.

Easier said than done, isn’t it? Ignoring what people say about you is difficult and it takes a lot of practice. In time, you’ll be desensitized from people’s judgment. Do your thing because people will judge you anyway.

16. Take a break.

Rest if you must, but don’t quit. You need a break, too!

Don’t work yourself to death. Know when you need to take a break. Sometimes, you get that eureka moment when you take a break.

17. Start when things aren’t perfect yet.

If you wait for things to be perfect, then when will you ever start?

Things won’t always be perfect at the beginning, but if you consistently do it, then you can get close to being perfect.

18. Use cash whenever possible, but if you need to use your credit card, pay your balance in full.

Can you imagine how much money you waste by paying your credit card’s interest? If you can’t afford to buy something, don’t use your credit card and pay the minimum amount due.

Paying on time and in full saves you money plus improves your credit score.

19. It’s never too late.

I used to think that “I’m late in life” but whose timeline am I following anyway? Articles like “20 Millionaires Under 20” can make us feel like we’re late. But it’s their timeline, and sometimes, people achieve more things at an earlier age because they’re already privileged.

Remember that as long as you’re alive, you can still go for your goals. Even Colonel Sanders, the founder of KFC, achieved success in his 60's.

20. Don’t watch the news.

You’re just starting your day and a local morning news show titled “Good Morning to You” talks about the killings, kidnappings, or corruption happening in the country — how will you have a good morning if that’s what you’ll hear and see?

Wonderful things happen every day but the media focuses on negative things because there’s a demand for that.

Instead of watching the news, listen to podcasts or personal development audiobooks. Remember that your input is your output. If all you take in is negativity, that’s what you’ll give out, too.

21. Keep a notebook with you at all times.

Inspiration is everywhere. You can get an idea from a walk in the park but forget it by the time you get home.

Don’t forget these ideas by having a pen and paper with you at all times.

22. Don’t depend on a single income.

Part of life’s unpredictability is not knowing when your income source, whether it’s a business or a 9–5, will fall. So, start a side hustle! Bonus point if you enjoy doing it!

23. Write down your goals.

Knowing what your goal is great, but if you want to achieve it, you must write it down.

Writing them down gives you a clear idea of what you want to accomplish. When you see your goals in black and white, it encourages you to strategize and brainstorm how you’ll achieve them.

24. Take your vitamins.

Whatever the situation is, whether there’s a pandemic or none, take your vitamins daily.

You’ll have more energy to do the things you want and need to do.

25. When it comes to friends, it’s always quality over quantity.

Cliche, but it’s your true friends who stick with you no matter what the situation is.

When I got sick, I withdrew from my social life. The only people I stayed connected with were my friends — the people I trust. Even if I have less than 10 friends, I know I can count on them.

26. Things won’t always go as planned and that’s okay.

Life is unpredictable. Be flexible enough to ride the ebbs and flows of life.

27. Small actions when done consistently produce great results.

Little by little, a little becomes a lot. Everything takes time. You wouldn’t succeed in one go. As they say, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Every day, do one thing that takes you one step closer to your goal.

28. Learn how to manage your time well.

Everybody has 24 hours in a day, but not everyone accomplishes the same thing. “Successful” people — whatever success means for you — succeeded because they knew when to be serious, when to play, and when to rest.

29. Keep a gratitude journal.

Write down whatever it is you’re thankful for every day. Big or small, these daily wins will give you contentment. After a few months, read these and you’ll find yourself smiling.

Tip: To stay consistent, keep your journal on your bedside table or under your pillow.

30. Don’t live a life of frustrations.

If you have something you failed to do, do it now. If it’s impossible to accomplish it, let it go. What’s the use of holding on to it? Be content with where you are right now.