10 Things I Wish I'd Known Sooner

10 Things I Wish I'd Known Sooner, Life Lessons

Every so often I get into a reflective mood and think about how my life could have ben different if only I'd just done this or made that choice. While there are no do-overs, lessons are learned which will go on to frame and hopefully help us to make better decisions going forward. These are 10 things that probably would have benefited me if I'd known better sooner.

1. It's okay to say no.

2. Life isn't always fair, bad things will happen to good people and vice versa.

3. But karma is real.

4. Good posture makes any outfit look better.

5. Retail therapy doesn't solve anything and only leads to clutter.

6. Investing in your health is one the best things you can do for yourself.

7. There's no such thing as making up for missed sleep.

8. To be a good friend, learn how to listen.

9. Don't be afraid to let go of friendships that just don't work anymore.

10. It's okay if you don't like what everyone else likes.

What do you wish you'd known sooner?


Photo of Cecilia Cheung via Sina

27 comments

Lilli said...

Morning Rowena! Oh well, I wish I knew those same things sooner as well but I also think that only with mistakes and lesson learned we can only grew up..Karma is very real, I do believe that good as well as bad always come back. Growing up I learnt to be more selfish, isnt bad, is self love :)

Jackie Harrison said...

I need to keep in mind number 7 big time the rest I take incorporate in my life.

Doctor Anne said...

Many things, but mostly: Your worth doesn´t depend on who loves you.

Anne|Linda, Libra, Loca

Paola Lauretano said...

Great reflective mood and interesting things! Well done Rowena!
Kisses, Paola.

Expressyourself

Blackswan said...

It's really ok to say no cause if we wanna please everyone, we'll end up pleasing no one......... xoxo

Emmylou said...

Oh my gosh! Sooooooo agree with all of these, Rowena! I do wish sometimes we have a do-over button, you know, but I do know as well that things happen for a reason, so I must really learn to just let go.

R.ChamberofBeauty said...

Totally agree with you Rowena,we all learn from our own mistakes. But the good thing is that we realize our mistakes on the right time! <3 Kisses :)
<3 Have a great day <3
http://www.rakhshanda-chamberofbeauty.com/

Diana Mieczan said...

Those are spot on, especially the karma bit! Happy New Year, dear. xo

Oh to Be a Muse said...

Couldn't agree more with #1, #6 and #10 on this list, for sure!

www.ohtobeamuse.com

Gingi said...

I need to learn #5... I took up retail therapy this year and it's already becoming a financial and material mess!!! - http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com

Beauty Unearthly said...

Excellent post (as always)!Thank you very much :)

Jo said...

Yes to #5 and #9. Thanks for this Rowena!

xo Jo

http://www.whiterosesandcoffee.com/

Unknown said...

What a great post. There are tons of things I wish I knew sooner, our lists would be very similar. I wish I learned to say No sooner Rowena.

Ivana Split said...

I must admit it took me such a long time to realize some of these points, perhaps it is better to say I'm still learning about these 10 things. Learning to say no is extremely important. If we don't respect ourselves and our time, nobody will. It is true that bad things happen to good people. I hate it when people assume that just because something bad happened to somebody, it must be because they've deserved it. That's so unfair. Sometimes things happen without a reason. Sometimes nobody is to blame. But I do agree about karma. In the end, our actions always catch up with us. I believe that hard work pays off if in no other way, then in making us feel good about ourselves. I believe there is no substitute for real relationships. We have to work on (maintain, cherish etc) our relationships, whether it comes to family, friendship or romantic ones. I believe we should invest in our health too. Health is precious. Sleep deficit is never a good thing and we can't replace sleep with other things. Chronic lack of sleep leads to overeating, poor energy distribution and high stress levels. Getting enough sleep is important, especially as we get older.

Ivana Split said...

No. 10 is especially important! We should never be afraid to have unique desires, interest or hobbies.

Mica said...

These are such good pieces of advice, especially number 5! I've really been challenging my need to shop lately, to try stop the clutter, as I'm terrible at decluttering, haha!

Hope that you are having a good week so far! Busy week here for me now that I'm back at work after my break.

Away From The Blue Blog

Jenny said...

These are all such wonderful points, especially #5 and #6. I used to rely way too much on retail therapy and ended up with a lot more regrets and of course, clutter! Another thing I wish I'd known sooner is to never say/do anything in anger, as I always end up regretting them.

Jenny | Geeky Posh

Unknown said...

Great tips!
Have a nice end of the week!
Gil Zetbase

ALLIE NYC said...

Oh boy not sure where to begin. But I wish when I went back to school a decade ago when living in Seattle that I followed my heart and back back to school for some kind of degree in fashion instead of graphics. But I was trying to be practical and learn a field that had actual "skills". But the problem with that is b/c of technology the skills you need to know keep changing and ultimately that is interested in "skills"not what you bring to the table creatively or even with ideas. Just sit down and manipulate software at some else's bidding.

So yeah that is one thing I would have done different.

Allie of ALLIENYC
www.allienyc.com

Corinne said...

I always want retail therapy. Haha. This post is great, I've leant some of these a little few late too.

Corinne x
www.skinnedcartree.com

Chelsey said...

Making time for reflection is so valuable! And each of your points completely resonated with me. I’m working on them now.

tr3ndygirl influencer e fashion blogger said...

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have a nice day, a big kiss

R's Rue said...

Thank you.

A Very Sweet Blog said...

Loved all of these Rowena! I've been doing #9 for years. You connect with people and initially everything is fine, but then sometimes you really grow apart. It's ok to let go. Life takes people on different paths.
http://www.averysweetblog.com/

Shireen L. Platt said...

Amen to all but to me the ones that stood out the most were 8, 9 and 10. I was a terrible friend, selfish to say the least and when I think back to the old me, I honestly cringe and die a little inside. Like who was that girl? You are also right about area being real, it happened to me...fell rock bottom but looking back it was a blessing in disguise as I completely change into a new person, into who I am today.

Shireen⎜Reflection of Sanity

sonia // daring coco said...

I could write a series of books on this kind of stuff. I definitely wish I'd known it was ok to be different and to just be yourself. I spent far too many years people pleasing and attempting to fit some ideal image of what people wanted me to be. Also posture and my back. I wish I hadn't taken that for granted! Health in general is something to really invest in. Nothing more debilitating than an injury or sickness. Especially as you get older. I have no patience and get frustrated easily.

Sxx
daringcoco.com

Jane said...

#9 is so very true. I let go friends I have known for a long time.. and it was one of the best things that I did. No need to keep people who bring energy to your life. And 10 too. I always have felt so awkward thinking differently than everyone. Now I embrace it. Those two things are probably my favorites from your list and something I would have on mine <3