16 Insights For A Happier Life You'll Wish You'd Known Sooner

1. It’s better to take action than live with regret.

A woman with long, auburn hair smiles brightly while resting her arms on a beige couch. She wears a light blue sweater and a gold watch. In the background, there is a leafy green plant with red accents illuminated by natural light from a nearby window.

Countless elderly people express regret that they didn’t say or do certain things when they had the chance. This is especially true with regards to travelling, and expressing how they felt about those they loved.

2. Don’t be a jerk.

Two men are standing close to each other in a living room, engaged in a serious conversation. The man on the right, in a pink shirt, appears to be speaking intently to the man on the left, who is wearing a beige shirt. The background features a modern, well-lit space.

It’s a pretty basic bit of advice, but a worthwhile one. Our actions tend to have strong repercussions, and being rude or disrespectful to others will eventually turn around and come back to you. Treat others as you’d like to be treated.

3. Pay more attention to people’s behaviors than their words.

Two women sit at a table; one reads a fashion magazine while the other holds a pink mug and looks at her. They are in a cozy setting with colorful patterned wall tiles in the background. On the table are cookies and a smartphone.

Believe changed actions and behaviors, not just words. Does this person keep their promises? If they apologize and promise to do better, do they follow through with actions?

4. How people treat you reveals how they feel about themselves.

Two women are sitting at a table across from each other. The woman on the left, with dark hair, appears stressed, holding her hands to her temples. The woman on the right, with blonde hair, has her back to the camera. They are indoors, near large windows.

Criticisms from others often reflect how they feel about themselves. You just hold up a mirror to their own perceived inadequacies. So don’t take everything anyone says to you or about you personally.

5. Correct practice makes perfect.

Close-up of a person’s hands playing an electric guitar. The left hand is pressing down on the strings on the fretboard while the right hand is positioned near the body of the guitar, likely strumming or picking the strings. The background is softly blurred.

Ensure the things you’re practicing are in fact correct technique. Then practice them diligently until you attain the level of competency that makes you feel accomplished.

6. If you’re frustrated with your routine, change it.

Two individuals stand back-to-back in a gym, each holding red dumbbells and wearing athletic clothing. They perform shoulder exercises in a brightly lit space with large windows revealing an outside view of a street and parked cars. Fitness equipment is visible nearby.

Routine can be useful, but it can also really dampen down the human spirit. Switch up your weekly calendar, do things on different days, at various times. See what works best.

7. Your actions today will dictate the rest of your life.

A woman with long curly hair, wearing round sunglasses and a black leather jacket, is standing outdoors in a sunlit park with green foliage in the background, smiling gently at the camera.

Will you be disciplined, or will you procrastinate? Are you choosing kindness and self-improvement, or hostility toward others? Each choice opens up a different path for you to walk.

8. Do your research before reinventing the wheel.

A bearded man sits at a desk in front of a laptop, covering his mouth with his hand as if yawning or coughing. He is dressed casually in a plaid shirt and a gray t-shirt, with a bicycle and bookshelf in the background. The scene suggests a home office or study environment.

You may have some great ideas, but others might have even better ones. Research everything thoroughly, then determine how, or if, you can improve upon what you’ve found.

9. Be certain in your uncertainty.

A man with a shaved head on top and short dark hair on the sides is looking to the left. He has a trimmed beard and is wearing a brown jacket with a blue stripe on the shoulder. The background is blurred and light-colored.

Recognize that what you know as absolute truth right now may change when you learn something different. Nothing is certain, not really. And the sooner you allow for grey areas and unknowns, the better.

10. Don’t let forceful personalities intimidate you.

A woman with curly red hair styled in a ponytail is looking to her side thoughtfully. She is wearing a colorful sweater with a high orange turtleneck and bright red lipstick, standing against a light teal background.

Many try to bully others by being louder and more aggressive. Similarly, chihuahuas bark their heads off, while wolves are quiet. Hold your ground when someone is snapping, especially if your position is strong.

11. Remember that you are what you consume.

A man sitting on a couch holds a TV remote in one hand and a gray mug in the other. He appears frustrated and is leaning slightly forward. The background is blurry, with indistinct artwork on the wall.

This goes for food and drink as well as media and entertainment. Treat your body and mind like your own treasured, sacred child, and nourish them accordingly.

12. Always pay attention to your surroundings.

A middle-aged man with tousled hair stands outdoors in a wooded area. He is wearing a khaki field jacket with multiple pockets and has his hands in the jacket pockets. The background is filled with trees and foliage, giving the scene an earthy, natural ambiance.

Be aware of what’s going on around you. If a situation is making you uncomfortable, then pay attention to what’s causing that reaction. It’s happening for a reason. Being aware will allow you to respond or react to whatever unfolds.

13. Choose your lovers carefully.

A man with short hair kisses the forehead of a woman with long, dark hair. The woman is smiling with her eyes closed, wearing a navy blue top and a necklace. The man is wearing a light blue checkered shirt. They seem to be outdoors, possibly enjoying a sunny day.

We exchange a lot of emotion and energy with our intimate partners. We also invest a great deal of time into them. Be discriminating with your intimate choices and you’ll have few regrets.

14. Take time before trusting.

Two young people sitting on outdoor steps. They both wear hooded jackets, and are seated next to each other facing slightly away from the camera. One has dark hair, while the other has brown, and they appear to be engaged in conversation. A grassy area is in the background.

It’s okay to be friendly and caring with people, but be discriminating with whom you trust. People reveal their true selves over time, and you may regret being too open with the wrong ones.

15. Be kind, whenever possible.

Two people sit closely together, viewed from behind, gazing at a calm body of water. The person on the left has shoulder-length blonde hair and wears an orange shirt, while the person on the right has short gray hair and wears a white shirt.

Every living being will experience pain and hardship, so try not to be the source of either. No act of kindness is ever wasted, and the grace and gentleness you show another living being may change their entire life.

16. Live each day as if it were your last.

A woman with long, dark hair stands on a forest path, wearing a red, blue, and white plaid shirt. She is looking over her shoulder toward the camera with trees and greenery surrounding her.

Many squander their days because they think they have time to spare. Any of us could have 20 years left, or we could be gone in 20 minutes. Choose wisely when it comes to how you spend your time, and with whom.