32 things I learnt

Sep 06, 2024

Today I turn 32.

To quote John Burroughs, “I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see.”

But with every year, I learn a little more and love life a little more.

I thought I’d share 32 things I’ve learnt, continue to learn, and stumble over every day.

Hope you enjoy reading :)

32 things I learnt

The first 15 minutes of your day are sacred. Protect them at all costs.
Charge your phone outside your bedroom (get an alarm clock).
Natural, well-kept nails are chic (and will save you so much time).
Invest in your uniform. Don’t splurge on things you’ll only wear once. Focus on the pieces you’ll wear every day.
Don’t save your special things for special occasions.
Schedule time off-grid. A day a week or a week a year, with nowhere to be and nothing to do.
Slowing down isn’t limited to Sundays.
Tell people when you love something they’ve made. It matters more than you know.
The most romantic gestures are small, like bringing your partner tea in bed with a digestive biscuit or putting toothpaste on their toothbrush in anticipation. Don’t let those slip.
Treat your friends. Lavish dinner parties, long voice notes, a book with a handwritten note inside—just because.
Be open to making new friends at any age. Each friend creates new worlds in us. They bring out a part of us that didn’t exist until they arrived.
Hold space for the people you love. When they come to you to vent, resist the urge to fix things. Instead, ask, “do you want me to listen, or do you want my advice?” Especially if you’re married to them.
Make time to play. Block out time to create freely, without expectations or pressure. It’ll remind you to connect with the joy of making things, not the outcome of them.
For wonderful things to happen, take uncomfortable risks. Accept that rejection is part of the path to wonderful things.
When something seems ‘too difficult,’ pretend to be someone who can do it. Then, do it.
Save your best for the people you love most. When you exhaust your energy on work, events, or small talk, there’s often little left for those at home. Instead, direct your sparkle where it matters most.
Lean into what excites you. Whether it’s big decisions or small ones, let excitement guide you.
Make art you love, not art you think others will love. The moment you worry about what others will think, you disconnect from what you think. What you think makes the art.
It’s a numbers game. Putting out art is like sending messages in bottles from a deserted island. For every one that returns, you’ll send a hundred more.
Big things start small. Write a page a day, and by the end of the year, you’ll have a book.
Words can change your life. When something resonates—a line in a book, a lyric in a song, a quote from a podcast—write it down and revisit it.
Learning leads to growth. Follow your interests, let curiosity guide you, and you’ll find meaning in the most unexpected places.
Holidays don’t need to be perfect. Let go of the plan and enjoy what’s in front of you.
‘Use the difficult.’ Every setback has wisdom hiding. Look for it and it will change your life.
Say no to good things so you can say yes to great things. Make space for what truly matters.
Always act with integrity. Let go of what you think is expected of you and follow what truly feels aligned with your values.
The biggest luxury is time. So much of life is programmed to steal your attention. Design your life to protect it.
Don’t take your family for granted. Be grateful for their health and well-being every single day.
The words we use to describe ourselves shape the way we see ourselves. Be kind.
Every choice is a step toward the life you really want and the person you truly are. The more honest you are, the more peace you will find.
Perhaps, the most important thing you can do is learn to trust yourself.
You can stay in the stands and watch others chase their dreams, or step onto the court and chase your own. Get on the court.

Much of what I’ve learnt comes from reading / listening to the words of Rick Rubin, Mel Robbins, Bear Grylls, Paul Graham, Michael Caine, Natasha Lunn, Marissa Peer, Scott Galloway, Oliver Burkeman, Martha Beck, and many others I’m sure I’m forgetting. 🕊

32 things I learnt

32 things I learnt

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