I just turned 40. 🎉

Here are 10 things I wish I had known in my 20s.

1. Be kind to yourself. Self-compassion will increase your capacity to be kind to others.
2. Life is not a race. Take the time to enjoy the moment.
3. Invest in yourself. Education, self-care, and personal growth are all important.
4. You can’t please everyone. So, be yourself! “Those who mind, don’t matter. And those who matter, don’t mind!”
5. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. They are opportunities for growth and learning.
6. Start investing your money early. The earlier you start, the more time your money has to grow. So play the long game.
7. Suspend judgment. There are always more sides to the story. Your perspective is just one view.
8. Learn to sit with your emotions, they are neither good nor bad. Understand what your emotions are trying to tell you.
9. It is great to plan but hold them loosely. Don’t miss out on other opportunities or learning with your rigidity about sticking to your plan.
10. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or support. Surround yourself with people who will lift you up.

These would have saved me a lot of stress, heartache, and unnecessary conflict.