This weekend I turn 27. I’m looking forward to this year and I believe it will be a great one.
This birthday inspired me to pause and reflect on the past year and on my life so far. Things have changed a lot over the years, especially recently. I normally let my birthday pass without much thought, but taking time for reflection felt important this year.
I’ve made mistakes and I’ve made good choices. I’ve learned many valuable lessons that have shaped who I am today, and overall I’m happier than ever.
My life isn’t perfect, but I feel fortunate: wonderful friends and family, a happy marriage, dogs I adore, a business I love, and a life filled with travel and experiences.
Below are 27 life lessons I’ve learned in my first 27 years. Some are obvious, others less so, but each one played a role in getting me to where I am today. I hope you find something useful, insightful, or encouraging in this list.
1. Value your time.
When I was younger, a year felt endless. Now the years fly by. Time is the most finite resource we have—treat it accordingly. If you spend your days doing things you dislike, set a goal to change that. Don’t wait decades to make meaningful adjustments to how you live.
2. Never compare your beginning to someone else’s middle.
Comparisons can motivate, but they can also mislead and frustrate. Everyone’s journey is different. Give yourself time to learn and improve—being early in your process doesn’t mean you’re failing. Progress takes practice and patience.
“One of the great temptations for us as leaders and dreamers is to compare the start of our new adventures to the middle of someone else’s.” – Jon Acuff
3. Create a plan to reach your dreams and goals.
Dreams don’t come true by accident. Identify what you want—career, travel, personal milestones—and build a concrete plan to get there. Without a roadmap, you risk living with regret. Take the first step by outlining actionable goals and deadlines.
4. Be positive.
Positive thinking can change your life. Laugh more, smile, curb jealousy and complaints, and cultivate gratitude. A positive outlook helps you find alternatives, stay motivated, recover from mistakes, and pursue goals with resilience. Ultimately, positivity improves happiness and helps you move forward.
5. Learn something new as often as you can.
I used to dislike school, but a chance encounter in college taught me the joy of lifelong learning. Today I read constantly and seek new skills. The world is full of accessible resources—books, courses, articles—so embrace curiosity. Learning keeps life interesting and expands opportunity.
6. Stop living in regret.
You can’t change the past. Learn from mistakes, then move on. Regret wastes time and energy better spent creating a better future.
7. Don’t care about what anyone else thinks.
This took time to internalize, but doing what’s right for you is freeing. Other people’s opinions should never dictate your life choices. Prioritize your values and act accordingly.
8. Live life to the fullest.
No matter your circumstances, you can choose to live meaningfully now. You don’t know the future, so make the most of the present. Living fully doesn’t require luxury—just intention and mindful choices.
9. Cherish moments with loved ones.
Traveling full-time has made me appreciate time with family and friends even more. Don’t take moments with loved ones for granted—make trips and visits special. You never know what tomorrow will bring, and relationships are among life’s greatest gifts.
10. Make time for fun.
All work and no play wears you down. Schedule time each week for hobbies and things you love. Fun boosts mood, motivation, and creativity.
11. Excuses are just that—excuses.
People rationalize setbacks, but excuses rarely solve problems. Even when circumstances are difficult, find ways to act. Taking responsibility empowers you to overcome obstacles.
12. Do what YOU want to do.
Follow what excites and fulfills you (as long as it’s lawful and ethical). Want adventure? Pursue it. Want a family? Plan for it. Want a new career? Go after it. Your life should reflect your priorities.
13. Less is more.
Living with less clarified what truly matters. Decluttering reduced stress, conserved money, and helped me focus on relationships and experiences over possessions. Simplicity creates space for what counts.
14. Laughter is the best form of medicine.
When you’re down, find reasons to laugh. Humor heals, lightens perspective, and connects people.
15. Help others as much as you can.
Acts of kindness transform both the giver and receiver. Small gestures—smiles, donations, volunteering, encouragement—can make a huge difference. Helping others enriches your life and strengthens community.
16. Sometimes you just have to go for it.
You won’t know the outcome until you try. Instead of endlessly asking “what if,” take calculated risks and leap when the opportunity feels right.
17. Dogs are awesome.
They bring joy, unconditional love, and a sense of daily presence that’s hard to match.
18. Gain control of your financial situation.
Money isn’t everything, but financial stability reduces stress and expands options. Pay down debt, live within your means, save for the future, and stop trying to keep up with others. Financial control helps you pursue your goals—travel, entrepreneurship, family planning—without being held back by money worries.
19. You can say no.
You don’t need to agree to every request. Saying yes when you have the capacity can be generous, but constantly saying yes leads to burnout and resentment. Protect your time and energy by setting boundaries.
20. Gossip stinks.
Talking about others rarely helps. If you dislike someone’s behavior, direct action or healthy distance is more constructive than gossip. Spend your energy on positive, productive pursuits.
21. Don’t let life pass you by.
It’s easy to defer happiness to some future milestone. Don’t postpone living fully until a date on the calendar. Seek small joys now while working toward long-term goals.
22. See the beauty in everything.
There is beauty all around if you choose to notice it. A shift in perspective—from cynicism to appreciation—changes how you experience the world.
23. Kill them with kindness.
Responding to negativity with kindness disarms conflicts and often transforms difficult situations. I find this approach works most of the time.
24. Be open to new things and tackle your fears.
When was the last time you tried something new? Staying in your comfort zone limits growth. Facing fears and embracing new experiences can broaden your horizons and change your life.
25. Balance is important.
You can’t run at full throttle all the time. Maintain balance—work, rest, relationships, health—so you can be effective and enjoy life sustainably.
26. Be confident.
Confidence helps you take action and pursue opportunities. If you don’t believe in yourself, it’s harder for others to believe in you. Cultivate self-trust and keep building competence.
27. Money is just money.
Many people let money dominate their lives in ways that don’t bring joy. Use money as a tool to support the life you want, not as the ultimate goal. Think positively about finances and take practical steps to improve your situation so money serves your values and freedom.
Which life lessons do you find most important?