10 lessons I’ve learned from life so far

Due to some challenges I went through when I was younger, I became a doormat. People used to walk all over me – in friendships, relationships and the workplace. I had 0 confidence, I was very dispirited. It got to the point where I was actually very unhappy in all aspects of my life, on a daily basis so I knew I had to make changes, and those changes are listed below:

1)???It’s ok to say no to something you really don’t want to do. I used to be a “YES” person. I would say yes to pretty much any request even if that meant more work for me, or it was something I wasn’t interested in or it made me unhappy. I just wanted to please people. I’ve learned that I can still please people but don’t need to be taken advantage of in order to do so.

2)???Start your day with a smile by appreciating what you have. Starting your day off on a positive note creates a positive mindset for the rest of the day.

3)???Treat yourself! I never used to spend money on myself other than to meet my basic living requirements. Now I do - spa days, hair treatments or taking a dance class help me to feel good about myself.

4)???Say what’s on your mind! I used to bottle things up, not really sure why but as with most things that build up over time, it has to come out at some point and it turned into a bigger deal than if I’d addressed it right in the beginning. So now I say what’s on my mind as and when I feel it. This gives me instant peace of mind.

5)???Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Whether it’s for something simple or for a big issue, help is always there for those who ask for it. Not asking for helps halts your progress, it can be demotivating to be stuck on something for a period of time and you don’t learn.

6)???Live your life without regrets. I’ve made some really stupid mistakes in the past, but I don’t regret them because I learned from them. I will make more mistakes as my life goes on but as long as I learn from them I don’t need to regret them.

7)???Keep learning! Consistently learning gives you a goal to aim for; it keeps your brain healthy, gives you new skills and is fun!

8)???Be authentic – don’t change yourself to try and fit in, if people don’t love and accept you for who you are, they are not worth spending time with.

9)???You are the only person who is responsible for your happiness, do not expect or rely on other people to make you happy.

10)?Be kind and be patient, everyone has struggles, help where you can and support where you can’t actively help.

?What are some life lessons that've helped you become the person you are today?