If you ignore these 16 pieces of wisdom, you'll regret it for the rest of your life

1. Keep learning.

A woman with long blonde hair, wearing a bright pink sleeveless top, is leaning against a gray pillar. She has her right arm bent and resting on the pillar, with her hand near her face. She gazes thoughtfully into the distance.

Study and learning shouldn’t end once you’ve finished school. By constantly learning new things, you create new mental pathways. In fact, research shows that learning new skills, languages, and movements as an adult can help stave off dementia. Considering how much there is to learn out there, you’ll never have any reason to be bored.

2. Stop being easily offended.

A young woman with long brown hair, wearing a yellow shirt, sits on a grey couch. She holds a smartphone in one hand and looks at the screen with a confused and frustrated expression, her other hand raised in a questioning gesture. A painting is blurred in the background.

Many people have an instant knee-jerk response to be offended by what they interpret to be another’s actions or words. Often, it’s because they’ve misunderstood or misconstrued the other person’s behavior and took it as a personal affront. Others use personal offense as a means of silencing those who disagree with them. You can disagree with another person’s idea without taking it as a personal attack. Similarly, what you may consider to be offensive behavior toward you may have absolutely nothing to do with you at all.

3. Keep your word.

Two women sit on a brown couch having a serious conversation. The woman on the left, in a light purple dress, looks concerned with her hand on her head. The woman on the right, in a grey dress, holds her hand in a comforting gesture.

If you want to be respected and trusted, then keep your promises, even (especially) when it’s difficult to do so. Personal integrity counts for more than you can imagine, and having a reputation for being trustworthy will be of immense benefit throughout your life.

4. Your life, your choices.

A woman with light brown hair wearing a brown turtleneck sweater and gold hoop earrings is seen in a side profile shot. She is resting her chin on her hand and looking thoughtfully into the distance with a backdrop of lush green foliage.

Nobody else has any say in what you choose to do (or not do) regarding your life choices. You have the right to choose your own career, partner, healthcare practices, and lifestyle. No one else is owed an explanation for your choices. They might disagree with your decisions, but that’s their issue, not yours.

5. Spend more time listening and observing than speaking.

Three women are sitting at a table in a café, engaged in conversation. Two of them are listening intently to the third, who is speaking with expressive hand gestures. There are coffee cups and saucers on the table, with a mural of flowing shapes in the background.

You can learn a great deal by being aware and observant of what’s going on around you. Speaking for its own sake just takes up time and air, creating (potentially) unnecessary noise. Observe and analyze, and choose your own words carefully.

6. Speak clearly, with confidence.

A woman with long brown hair, wearing a white blouse with a black collar, is standing against a plain white background. She has her right hand raised to her mouth and appears to be calling out or shouting, her expression animated and enthusiastic.

This goes along with the bit of advice above. Many people have adopted vocal inflections they’ve learned from the media, to their detriment. You’ll be respected more and taken more seriously if you’re articulate. This can benefit you in situations ranging from job interviews to court cases.

7. Face your fears.

A woman with long light brown hair, wearing a white sweater, gently leans against a palm tree. She is looking at the camera with a serene expression. The background features a lush green garden with various trees and shrubs, and a wooden bench in the distance.

Nobody likes to experience hardship or pain. That said, hiding from things that make us fearful or anxious doesn’t make those things disappear. Furthermore, giving in to fear and anxiety usually makes us more fearful in the long run. The good news is that our perceptions of how scary some things are tend to be far worse than what they’re actually like.

8. Don’t do what you hate.

A man with short curly gray hair and a beard smiles warmly at the camera. He is wearing a blue button-up shirt and is standing indoors with softly focused windows in the background.

Most of us have experienced the feeling of depression and resentment that comes from doing something we absolutely despise. If you hate your job, chances are it’s causing some severely negative emotions in you. This can lead to ill health, as well as relationship breakdowns. Life is too short to spend time doing things that hurt you.

9. Invest in an amazing mattress.

A person with curly hair is lying on their stomach on a bed without sheets, resting their chin on their hands and looking to the side. They are wearing a green short-sleeve top and light gray pants, with their legs bent at the knees and feet crossed in the air.

This one might seem strange, but a good night’s sleep and proper physical support will have an extraordinary impact on your overall health. Remember that you spend about a third of your life sleeping, so make it a great experience.

10. Be open to other perspectives.

Two women stand outdoors, facing each other against a backdrop of vibrant autumn leaves. One has black hair and wears a white turtleneck, while the other has blonde hair tied back in a ponytail and wears a red V-neck top. Both have serious expressions.

Many people instantly dismiss others’ ideas and experiences because they can’t relate to them. Learn to listen and really hear what others have to say. Chances are they can offer insights you wouldn’t have considered.

11. “Stuff” isn’t important.

A woman with blonde hair tied in a ponytail, wearing a white t-shirt, stands by a railing and looks thoughtfully into the distance. The background features an out-of-focus cityscape under a sky at dusk.

Yes, we all like to have things, but ultimately, they don’t truly matter. If your house was burning down, would you scramble to save your partner, children, and animal companions? Or pack bags full of “things”?

12. You can always help another.

A woman sits on a chair with her hand covering her mouth, looking distressed. A person beside her, whose face is not visible, places a comforting hand on her arm. Sunlight filters through a window in the background, illuminating the scene.

No matter what you’re going through, know that there will always be another who can benefit from your assistance. Even just dribbling a bit of water on a thirsty plant will make a huge difference to that little life.

13. Don’t shame others for their choices.

A young woman with long dark hair, wearing a denim jacket and an orange top, smiles happily while pointing towards the camera. She has a pair of sunglasses resting on her head. The background is a solid yellow color.

Remember #4? That applies to everyone, and none of us have the right to shame others for making different life decisions. We may not agree with their choices and behaviors, but that doesn’t mean that it’s okay to mock or berate them.

14. Make yourself a priority.

A man with short hair and a beard, wearing a red shirt, looks directly at the camera with a thoughtful expression, resting his chin on his hand. The background is blurred but suggests an outdoor setting near a body of water.

This doesn’t mean ignoring others or treating them badly. It means that it’s important to keep time and space for yourself. Turn down an invitation with grace if you need some time alone. Learn to say no, rather than agreeing and then getting resentful.

15. Apologize sincerely.

A woman sits on a couch with her hand on her forehead, appearing upset. A man next to her clasps his hands together, as if pleading or apologizing. Both individuals are casually dressed, and the room appears bright with large windows in the background.

When you know you’ve done wrong, offer a sincere apology. No excuses or “I’m sorry you feel that way” type statements. None of us are perfect, and we all mess up at times. What’s important is letting the other person know that you’re aware you messed up, and you’re sorry.

16. It’s better to have something and not need it, than the reverse.

A person wearing blue gloves is using a wooden-handled plunger to unclog a white toilet. Water is swirling in the bowl as they work. The bathroom floor is covered with large, brown tiles. The toilet seat lid is open and visible.

This is as true for a pantry full of canned goods and medical supplies as it is for a toilet plunger or fire extinguisher. Plan for what might go wrong, just in case.