24 Lessons For 2024

For this one, I'm diving back into my college roots with a listicle-style article. But, if it’s not broke, right? Over the past year, I've kept a running list in my notes app of pieces of wisdom that shifted my perspective on everything from life’s hardships to the simplest decisions and narrowed it down to my top 24 favorites. This past year, I’ve gained a lot of confidence, and I owe it to the wisdom I’ve gathered and shared below.

1. Somebody's life is better because you exist

I can name a handful of people who make my life better simply by walking into the room. I never fully considered how I could be that person to others, and chances are, you are too.

2. Never be your first “no”

If you don’t believe in yourself, it doesn’t matter who else does. Trust yourself, push past early setbacks, and keep moving forward with confidence. Don't let the person who holds you back from starting be yourself.

3. Your body is the least interesting thing about you

The female body has become a trend, and the ideal body type comes in and out of style as quickly as the seasons change. Take the Kardashians, they get plastic surgery every few years to stay in line with the latest beauty standards. How you treat others and the depth of your personality matters far more than what you see in the mirror. Looks will be the first to fade, so make sure that who you are is the most interesting thing about you.

4. Worrying is like sitting on a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but it doesn’t get you anywhere

Worrying about something before it happens only puts you through it twice. As a chronic worrier, I try to remind myself or others to get off the metaphorical rocking chair they’re sitting on. We can’t always rid ourselves of anxiety, but we can shift our mindset. One way to do that is to acknowledge the feeling without letting it take over, because what if things turn out better than you ever could have imagined?

5. You’ll never find peace in something you weren't meant to settle for 

I bet we can all name a time in our lives that we were settling, whether it was a relationship, a job, or how you were being treated. You probably felt anxious and conflicted because, deep down, you knew you deserved better. Settling may seem easier in the moment, but true peace only comes when you stop compromising on what aligns with your worth. 

6. If you were meant to be there, you wouldn't be here

It’s easy to feel like you’re off track: stuck in the wrong job, living in the wrong place, or heading down an uncertain path. But I truly believe we’re always exactly where we need to be in the moment, even if it doesn’t always feel that way. Trust your own timeline, because it’s leading you exactly where you’re meant to go.

7. You can’t use someone else’s map to find yourself 

Social media makes it borderline impossible not to compare your life to others. The beauty of life is that we get to choose our own route, carve out our own direction, and define what fulfillment looks like on our terms. Your path is uniquely yours, and that’s what makes it meaningful.

8. You don’t need other people’s feedback 

Maybe in 2025, wear the outfit you think is cool and that you’re comfortable in without asking the group chat’s opinion first. If you like something, that can be enough of a reason to wear it out.  

9. Treat yourself like you would your best friend 

If a negative thought about yourself pops up, ask yourself if that’s something you’d say to a friend. Treat yourself with the same love and compassion you give to those you care about most.

10. Standing up for yourself isn't rude 

It’s a sign of self-respect. Setting boundaries and refusing to tolerate bad behavior from others is a powerful way to show that you value yourself. It also encourages others to respect you too. Standing up for yourself doesn’t mean being aggressive or hostile; it simply means asserting your worth. 

11. Kindness isn't weakness 

Kindness isn't a weakness, it’s a strength. In fact, I believe kindness can be a true form of confidence. The people who are the meanest often hide deep insecurities, while the sweetest are secure enough to lift others up.

12. Anything you put on a pedestal will always be out of your reach

Whether it’s a person, a job, a salary, anything you place on a higher level than yourself will feel just out of grasp. Once you start believing that nothing is too good for you, nothing will be. When you step into your own worth, it becomes easier to attain the things you desire most.

13. You can’t do anything wrong with the right person 

Trip, stutter, be goofy. None of it matters. The right people will stick around. Repeat this mantra whenever you’re feeling nervous about meeting someone new and let it give you the confidence to show up authentically. When you’re with the right people, you’re free to be yourself, flaws and all, knowing they’ll accept you just as you are.

14. Look at where your feet are, not where your phone is

More on this later ;)

15. One day it will be a blessing that things didn't work out the way you so badly wanted them to 

Basically my burnt toast theory, but to make a long story short, nothing that’s meant for you will pass you. After a couple of months, you’ll probably be thankful that one thing didn’t happen because it made room for something better. 

16. Wanting interrupts being 

The present moment is both all we ever truly have and something we can never get back. It’s easy to get so caught up in chasing future goals that we forget to appreciate the progress we’ve made and where we are right now. 

17. Change is scary, but so is staying the same

Essentially, do the damn thing, and do it scared. Nothing changes if nothing changes, and sometimes we get so comfortable in the familiar (even if the familiar sucks) that we neglect to push ourselves toward our full potential. Try to embrace the fear and it’ll give you the confidence that you can do hard things. 

18. Life gets so much better when you decide that your worth is not a group decision 

Walk into every room with the assumption that you belong there and that everyone already likes you, even if they haven’t met you yet. Confidence is magnetic. If you wouldn’t want to trade places with someone who doesn’t like you, then don’t waste energy on their opinion. 

19. You don’t have to be extreme, you just have to be consistent 

When I think about consistency, I picture two flowers: one being drowned in water, the other receiving just the right amount each day. The overwatered one, rushed in an attempt to make it grow overnight, will wither and die, while the consistently nurtured flower will grow strong over time. Consistency is the quiet power behind all lasting growth. 

20. You’re not here to prove your worth, but to embody it

Never feel like you need to prove yourself to anyone. When you have an unwavering belief in who you are, you can walk into any room with the confidence that comes from knowing your worth, and no one can take that from you.

21. Putting others down will never lift you up 

When you speak negatively about someone, even if it's just in your head, take a moment to look inward. Often, it’s a reflection of your own insecurities being projected onto others. The simple act of giving someone a genuine compliment can shift that energy and help you feel better about yourself, too. 

22. It’s a privilege to choose your suffering 

Someone out there wishes they could run a single mile, let alone a marathon. Some people, including your future self, would cherish the chance to feel the burn in your lungs during that final stretch or the thrill of crossing a finish line. So, when you feel the pressure, remember that it’s a privilege to be able to choose it.

23. Smile and compliment strangers 

You never know when a simple smile or kind word could be exactly what someone needs to get through their day. You’ll never regret giving a compliment, it might just be what someone needed to hear to feel better about themselves. 

24. The difference between an ordinary life and an extraordinary life is the extraordinary pleasures you find in ordinary things

I saved my favorite for last. I truly believe the unhappiest people are the ones who see the seemingly mundane parts of life as just that, mundane. But once you start finding joy in everyday moments, like a quiet morning walk or the taste of your first cup of coffee, you’ll realize that these small, simple pleasures are often the best parts of life. My favorite movie, About Time, embodies this wisdom, and I highly recommend it for a 2025 movie night if you want to learn how to truly appreciate the ordinary parts of everyday life. 

Happy New Year! :)

My favorite people in the world, who remind me of all the wisdom I shared above when I forget it myself.