41 Things I Have Learned about Life that I Wish 18-year-old Me Knew

Last Year I turned 41 and I am turning 42 soon. Frankly, how has that happened? Who do I complain to? I'm pretty sure I am still 25.

However, I should start embracing my forties.

Honestly, I am not that fussed about being forty. I do not feel a day over 25 (my body might disagree).

This article will form an ad-hoc series of articles about 41 things I have learned about money, relationships, friendships, hobbies, business, education, history, politics and the world.

Today I am going to focus on 41 things that I have learned about life, I wish I had known when I was 18.

1. Your grandparents are the true source of wisdom, life and stories. Cherish them and listen. They will be gone soon, as will those stories.
2. Your parents are not always wrong, however, they are not always right either. Listen with an open mind.
3. Life is a mix of failures and successes, 99% of both are in your head.
4. Keep doing your hobbies. You loved Warhammer, do not stop whatever it is you personally love.
5. No relationship will fix you. Nor will you fix the person in your relationship. Accept them for who they are and accept yourself.
6. Some friendships are situation-based, and others will transcend the context in which they started. It is sometimes hard to tell which type it will fall into.
7. Sex is overrated.
8. Money is important and totally useless. Knowing what this means takes decades to understand.
9. Debt is bad. Do not do it.
10. Learn to drive as soon as you can, and then don't buy a car. Do not be like me and not know how to drive at 41.
11. Fatherhood is the best thing in the world. Nothing beats it.
12. Football is brilliant with friends; try to watch it socially as much as possible, the tribalism of football will ruin your fun.
13. Be set on a destination and loose and free on the road you take to travel there.
14. Education is an ongoing process you are 100% responsible for.
15. City life is not sustainable, nor enjoyable once you stop partying.
16. Computer games are fun, moderation is key.
17. U2, Nickleback and Maroon 5 are good bands. Do not listen to the haters. Okay, listen to the haters with Maroon 5, they are bad.
18. Nights out on the town are great, but staying home is awesome when you are out too often.
19. Scotland is a brilliant place to bring up a family. Tell no one it's our secret.
20. Reading is good for you, although make sure occasionally you challenge yourself outside of your comfort zone.
21. Money is a tool, nothing more, nothing less.
22. Travelling to the UK has been a great source of enjoyment for me, and I want to do it more in the future.
23. Politics is an addictive obsession that is a little pointless if it is just watched, focus on taking part locally.
24. Lord of the Rings Trilogy is the only three films you will need to ever watch and you will be happy. All other films are just nothing compared to Lord of the Rings.
25. Work is only a means to an end. It is not your personality.
26. Friendships can be multilayered and can be around a single topic or interest.
27. Everything comes around again. When you realise the pattern, it will make you produce a rye smile.
28. Do not be afraid of change.
29. Start writing and being creative for your own reasons in your own way.
30. Thinking about something is not the same as taking action. Average action beats a perfect thought.
31. Reading is not always productive.
32. Arsenal is like a fine wine. The trophies become more vintage as you get older and also rarer as well.
33. Many states of being (happiness, love, accomplishment) are felt more in the process of actions and doing rather than in reflection afterwards.
34. You have nothing to fear from fatherhood, it creates a purposeful life.
35. You live on a lot less than you realise.
36. Rebuild bridges even if you have to make the first step. Do not let a few awkward minutes get in the way.
37. Walking everywhere is good for you, but it is also not an identity.
38. Careers do not exist. It is merely a concept to make you work for free.
39. Birthdays are generally meaningless once you pass 25 and 30, 40, 50, 60...
40. Life is not straightforward. Once you think you have your stuff together it will throw you a curve ball.
41. You do not need to finish everything you..........

#Aging #Forties #Life Advice #List #Wisdom