Memory Without the Details
I turned 37 two months ago and was supposed to finish this post by my birthday, but thanks to solopreneurship, a new baby, and top-notch procrastination, I’m publishing this late.
Anyways, I guess turning 37 means I’m officially in my late-30s (gross), which, as a life stage, has the hallmarks of an awkward transition: Wedged between the rapid acceleration of early-30s and the stable contentment of early-40s, you spend a lot of time reminiscing on a more innocent past and yearning for a more secure future. At the same time, your priorities and body are changing, and there’s a lot of pressure to prepare for The Next Big Step (marriage, kids, promotion). In other words, it’s middle-aged adolescence.
On one hand I’m definitely getting older (going gray very fast and my body aches), but still feel young (can’t complain about my hairline or waistline). Regardless of how I feel physically, age 37 marks the point where I’ve spent more years as an adult than as a kid - years that have had their share of moments. I’ll save that story for another post, but for now, here are 37 life lessons I’ve learned during my 37 years as a human (plus 12 as a father and four as a husband):
One day she’s begging you to push her on the swing, and the next she’s wearing makeup. It goes by fast.
Nobody cares what kind of car you drive.
Buying stocks is easy. The hard part is selling.
Ambivalence is a recipe for dissatisfaction. Fully committing (to something or someone) is what makes life worth living.
You can never say “I love you” too many times.
Being a great conversationalist is mostly about being a great listener.
If you do something tiny every day, it eventually becomes something huge.
The best music decade of the last hundred years was the 1970s (and it’s not really all that close).
Children are always observing and absorbing. They are information-gathering machines, emulating even the most nuanced behaviors (act accordingly).
When starting a new career, it’s better to plan in decades than in years.
The ability to admit to (or even better, look forward to) being wrong is a superpower.
Being young, broke, and surrounded by friends is better than being old, rich, and surrounded by stuff.
It’s so much easier to be clever than kind.
Watching local news for information and wisdom is like eating Almond Joys for energy and nutrition.
Nostalgia is just memory without the details.
Just because somebody’s life looks perfect from the outside, doesn’t mean they aren’t struggling with something you can’t see.
The only guarantees in life: death, taxes, and regretting your insane road rage outbursts.
Fulfillment is more important than happiness.
The future typically takes longer to arrive than you think or hope it will. Inertia is a powerful force.
Board games are one of the most effective (and fun) ways to teach kids new skills.
The best audiobooks are autobiographies. Bonus points if the author is also the narrator.
Spending less than you earn is half the battle.
There’s no such thing as too many interesting friends.
The best way to avoid gaining weight is to have good genes. The second-best way is to stay away from sugar.
We are all, in our own ways, deeply flawed.
Public transportation is better than driving. Biking is better than public transportation. Walking is better than biking.
The majority of information we see is propaganda disguised as fact.
It’s totally fine to bumble through your career until your 30s, 40s or even 50s.
There is a fine line between skepticism and cynicism.
No matter what country, religion, culture, or race, all people are the same. Everyone is just trying to make some money, experience love, and live a good life.
Relationships. Are. Hard.
There’s usually a big difference between the price of something and its total cost.
It’s better to ask for forgiveness than permission.
Practicing gratitude is the easiest path to contentment. If you consistently notice when things fascinate, surprise, or inspire you, it’s tough to have a bad day.
Incentives drive outcomes.
The quality of your life can only be as high as the quality of the people you surround yourself with.
I know almost nothing and have so much more to learn…
Thanks for reading,
Devin
Devin Faddoul, CFP® is the founder of Adda Financial | Outsource your financial life. Focus on your real life.