Daily writing prompt

Share a lesson you wish you had learned earlier in life.

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The most important lesson I wish I had learned earlier is probably to love yourself first. Looking back to when I was in high school, I was really stubborn and my way was the only way, and I was having it no other way. I was concerned with fitting in and wanted a family of my own. I don’t regret anything, my kids are my world, but if I had a chance to go back, I may go to a certain time in my mid-Twenties and change things from there.

I did have people tell me education was important but it was really only stressed that I finish high school. There was never some great pressure to go any further or how important having a college education was. So here I am in my forties, all the work and life experience I could want, but still struggle to find a job simply because I don’t have a Bachelors Degree.

I was concerned with improving the lives of those around me by helping them get on their feet, or working to make someone else’s business grow, that I never stopped to realize how important is was to make myself grow as well. I wanted other people to validate me and reassure me that I was doing good or that I am making others happy. I was a serious people pleaser for a while. Guess what ?!?!? Something just happened to turn all this around in my 30’s. There was no magical event, no specific incident and no one thing that made me change my way of thinking. I woke up one morning and thought “F… this” and the world around me got my middle finger. I have NEVER been happier than I am right now.

Do I have everything I want? No, I’m still looking another full time day job, still looking for meeting a few more goals but I have a clearer picture no BS roadblocks that I cannot move myself.

So for all of you still looking for a little hope or a way of changing things around, make a clear picture of where you want to be, break down the steps to get there, and stay true to yourself. Your life is for you so FORGET about everyone else if they aren’t included in your future picture. Hang in there… you got this!