49 Life Lessons In 49 Years Of Living

This piece was published on my 49th birthday.

It’s been a journey full of wisdom, growth, challenges, triumphs, and countless precious moments. To mark this significant milestone, I want to share 49 lessons I’ve gathered from my 49 years of life. Each of these lessons has played an instrumental role in shaping who I am today.

The 49 Life Lessons

1. Be patient with yourself and others. We’re all doing the best we can with what we know and have.
2. Delegate tasks whenever you can, both at work and at home. It’s a valuable tool to free up time for what truly matters.
3. “Watch Later” on YouTube is an excellent feature. It allows you to customize your own learning path.
4. Always keep a book next to your TV remote. It’s a simple nudge towards nourishing your mind over passively consuming content.
5. Slow travel, whether walking or biking, offers a unique perspective. The journey is just as important as the destination.
6. When you meditate, you anchor yourself in the present. Find a form that resonates with you and incorporate it into your daily life.
7. Mix up your work environment if you work from home. A change of scenery can often spark creativity.
8. Don’t forget to step outside and connect with nature. There’s a grounding quality to it that’s incredibly refreshing.
9. Paper books offer an irreplaceable tactile experience. Embrace the charm of tradition.
10. Keep your calendar for the broad strokes and your to-do list for the finer details. Both tools together can help turn intentions into actions.
11. Night owls can be as productive as early birds. It’s about finding your rhythm and respecting it.
12. Drink more water. A simple reminder like leaving a water bottle in plain sight can make a big difference.
13. Take one day off from social media every week. It’s essential for maintaining a healthy relationship with our digital world.
14. Always find time for what nourishes your soul. Time is a gift; use it for what truly matters.
15. Tags in MacOS are a lifesaver for organization. Start using them today, and your future self will thank you.
16. Small habits like flossing can be the perfect start to an evening routine.
17. Convenience services, like razors in the mail, save time and money. Look out for more such services that can simplify your life.
18. Set a day in your workweek when meetings aren’t on your schedule. Use this time for deep, focused work.
19. Investing time in learning every day pays long-term dividends. Knowledge is the best investment.
20. Always keep a set of workout clothes ready. It encourages spontaneous physical activity.
21. Slowing down often allows you to see things more clearly. It’s not always about speed.
22. Mind maps work best on physical surfaces. Visualization has power.
23. If you feel you’re wasting time, don’t judge yourself or the moment. Just take note. Time awareness is the first step towards better time management.
24. Decaf coffee can be just as enjoyable as regular coffee. It’s all about finding the right one.
25. Guilty pleasure apps are okay. They bring joy and that’s what truly matters.
26. Set up an email vacation message before you go on holiday. A small action that brings significant peace of mind.
27. Find a text expansion app. It will save you an incredible amount of time.
28. Buy a portable battery for your devices. You never know when it might come in handy.
29. Lunch breaks should not be at your desk. Honour your nourishment time.
30. Take ownership of your devices from day one. Be their master, not the other way around.
31. Use a wall calendar for a bird’s-eye view of your year.
32. Use tools that separate your work and personal email. It aids focus and promotes work-life balance.
33. Learn to leverage idle time, like doing dishes or working out, by listening to podcasts or audiobooks.
34. Journaling is an under-appreciated productivity practice. It’s a process of self-reflection and planning.
35. Consider trying a minimalist wardrobe approach. It’s liberating and saves time.
36. Be deliberate with your television time. Choose what you watch and when.
37. Avoid keeping things in your head. If something needs to be done, it should be on your to-do list.
38. Fac, si facis. Latin for “Do it, if you’re going to do it.” Follow through on your commitments.
39. Try using an alarm app like Sleep Cycle instead of a basic alarm clock. It’s gentler on your body.
40. Leverage a tool like SavvyCal to save time. Small automations in your scheduling and calendar workflow can make a big difference.
41. Embrace vulnerability. It fosters deeper connections with people.
42. Stay open to change. Resistance only breeds suffering. Life is a constant dance of change.
43. Tracking your time can be insightful, but don’t get too hung up on the numbers. Qualitative data is as crucial as the quantitative.
44. The Instant Pot is indeed worth every penny. It simplifies cooking and saves time.
45. Be kind, to yourself, to others, to our planet. Kindness is a universal language.
46. Remember, your life is your story. Make it one you’re proud of.
47. Decouple your personal and work emails. This separation is key for better focus and balance.
48. Balance qualitative productivity alongside quantitative productivity. Numbers tell only half the story.
49. And finally, remember there’s a profound distinction between 49 years of life and 49 years of living. One measures time; the other embodies experiences, growth, and the vibrancy of existence. So don’t just count your birthday as another year of life. Instead, strive to make it another year of living fully, deeply, intentionally.

There you have it.

As I embark on another trip around the sun, these are the lessons I carry with me. Each one has contributed to my story, shaping the narrative in its own unique way.

I can’t wait to see what life lessons I learn next.