50 things I learnt before turning 40

There are five main guidelines in my life that have evolved during my late thirties:

Live consciously. Nurture my relationships. Be imperfect. Be truly myself. Love myself.

 In accordance with these guidelines, I have collected a list of the things I’ve learnt about life before turning 40. The list was published by an online lifestyle magazine (wmn.hu) and I've received great feedback from friends and unknown people. These small pieces of wisdom are shared to inspire you. Please feel free to agree or disagree and share your thoughts with me.

1. When I'm doing work that I love passionately, I feel energetic and happy even after a very busy day.
2. Embrace the moments of my everyday life. This is something I do instinctively by now, and it is actually the source of my internal stability. To achieve this, I’ve had to remind myself to do so many times.
3. If something isn’t OK, I can change it. It is often just a matter of perspective.
4. It’s worth listening to my intuition.
5. The best treatment against a very bad day is a good night’s sleep. The world is just beautiful if I’m well rested.
6. Workout feeds my soul. It is worth taking the time to exercise regularly.
7. Sometimes a to do list of five items gets me much further than a list of all my actual tasks.
8. Tomorrow’s another day.
9. Change is good! It’s just that not everyone likes it.
10. Nothing lasts forever. Both the good and the bad things will pass.
11. I shouldn’t expect others to behave or think like me. They’re just other people.
12. Reading a book offers an experience unlike any other.
13. Most of the insignificant problems will solve themselves. Yes, even without me.
14. There’s no way I can change someone else. Neither with the power of love, nor with force. No way.
15. My sons have wonderful personalities. Observing them growing day by day is my private reality show. It’s the greatest gift of my life.
16. The strongest safety net in my life is made of the relationships with family and friends. I cannot be grateful enough to them for being there for me.
17. Emotional intelligence is not given to everyone.
18. People don’t ask for advice unless they express it. And they don’t want a volunteer angel to help and save them all the time.
19. Someone who considers me important will always find the time to see me. (And I’ll find the time to see someone who is important to me.)
20. Listen to someone with care – sometimes it's the greatest thing I can give. I’m not expected to offer a solution every time.
21. To express my gratitude as often as possible, even for tiny little things – it has an amazing effect both on others and on me.
22. Excuses are good friends: they’ll show what someone most wants to avoid.
23. Criticism can actually be constructive. It’s only a matter of wording and intent.
24. I don’t have to be useful all the time. Dolce far niente (delicious idleness) is the best thing I can grant myself from time to time, even when the kitchen is full of dirty dishes.
25. It’s OK to be weak. What’s more, I can make mistakes sometimes. And I’m allowed to admit if there is something I don’t know. Nobody likes a woman who is (or seems) perfect.
26. Showing my vulnerability generates surprisingly positive reactions.
27. I’m not compelled to meet any external expectation, whether it is real or exists only in my head. It’s perfectly enough if I’m fine with myself.
28. I’ll never be happy if I compare myself to others. If I really want to make comparisons, I’d rather do it to my previous self.
29. Overthinking is harmful to health.
30. It’s not the end of the world if I fail in something. It’s just something I couldn’t manage to do then and there.
31. I'm able to pay attention to multiple things at the same time. However, too often it's totally unnecessary.
32. The things I want to show the world as “achievements” are in fact things I want to prove to myself. If I remind myself of this, it’s enough to ask myself a question and I’ll see if it’s really worth jumping into the next mission impossible.
33. I’ve learnt to ask for help and accept help from others – and the world didn’t end. I don’t have to tackle all the problems in the world.
34. Creating value and inspiring people are the things I live for. I’ve found a purpose and I do my best to make it happen.
35. Identify my talent. I’ve become a coach and now I truly enjoy what I do. My hobby has become my work.
36. There is a good chance that great heights are followed by great falls. It only depends on my decision: I could be well off with smaller waverings as well.
37. Waffling around in my relationships is an option but it won’t change anything. Being honest is the best choice.
38. I hate to live a lie, and I avoid hypocrisy.
39. Humor is a great aptitude of mine, but I also need to know how to use it well. Being funny all the time is not my job. In fact, there are times when it's best to keep my joke to myself
40. Being different from the large majority in something is not necessarily a shame. In fact, there is even a chance that something good will come out of it.
41. It is not crucial for everyone to understand my arguments.
42. It’s possible that someone else and I have a different opinion on a certain thing and yet both of us are right.
43. It’s totally fine if I feel bad sometimes. Life is not a sunny TV-commercial.
44. Whenever I can I spend my time with people with whom I can be truly myself.
45. It is worth getting to know myself. Walking an exciting, long and sometimes painful path, I’m getting ahead and meeting better and better people.
46. Smiling is good. Sometimes I don’t even need a reason to smile.
47. It’s possible to silence the voice of that little devil inside my head!
48. There is a two-letter word that has made my life a lot easier: NO.
49. Self-confidence is an awesome thing to have!
50. I love myself. Just the way I am.