Life in lockdown presents an opportunity to slow down and reflect. So does turning 30.
Some people fear ageing but I genuinely enjoy getting a bit wiser with every passing day. I aim to grow old and wise, rather than just grow old.
I hope you enjoy the 30 learnings below that I’ve picked from my three decades on this planet. What have you learned? I’d love to hear your pieces of wisdom.
- You don’t need to be good at everything**.** Nobody can do everything well. Would you want to have Einstein on your basketball team?
- Don’t take things personally, it’s probably not about you. Don't attribute to malice which can be explained otherwise.
- Avoid developing a taste for expensive things. It's wonderful to maintain a low bar for what gives you joy. An inability to enjoy anything but 'the best' is no way to live.
- Life is far more random than we appreciate. Chance plays a huge role in determining our life's trajectory.
- Always ask people how they are. It's nice to be nice.
- Journal daily (eg. The Five Minute Journal). Regularly recording things you are grateful for is scientifically proven to increase your happiness.
- When in a new setting, ask staff for recommendations eg. when trying out a new restaurant. They know the best and most popular options!
- Sit abreast in restaurants when on a date. It's more intimate and easier to chat. Bonus: If you sit at the counter you may be able to skip the wait, and watch the food and cocktails being prepped!
- Take rehydration salts before bed after drinking alcohol. Bonus: Nights out have diminishing returns after a certain point, after which you're just stealing happiness from the next day.
- Develop a love of learning, you will never be bored or need to 'kill time' again.
- Developing a reading habit is amongst the best ways to continue learning after you leave formal education. All the great wisdom of humanity is written down somewhere. Start here.
- Get a Kindle. It will drastically increase the likelihood of you developing a reading habit. An affinity for 'the feel of the paper' is a poor excuse for remaining a luddite.
- Share your learnings with others online. Teaching others reinforces your own learning and attracts those with similar interests.
- Exercise hugely influences happiness and mental agility. The energy boost from morning exercise transforms the day. A day that ends well is one that starts with exercise.
- Be a front seater. If you've made the effort to attend an event, why not maximise your enjoyment of it!? (Note - I don't apply this thinking to comedy gigs!)
- Check-in last minute for flights. When checking-in online many airlines 'randomly' allocate passenger seats, with the middle seats often assigned first so that passengers are tempted to pay extra to change their seat!