5 THINGS I WISH I KNEW EARLIER

Reflecting on your 20s? Here are 5 important life lessons I wish I had known earlier — from letting go of perfectionism to building real confidence. A must-read for anyone navigating adulthood

5 Things I Wish I Knew Earlier in Life

Have you ever hit a point where you just stopped and thought, “Am I doing this life thing right ?

Turning 25 made me stop and reflect — not in a deep or dramatic way, but in a quiet moment where I thought, I’ve changed so much... and I’m still figuring things out. 

Over the past couple of years, I’ve grown a lot on the inside. I've grown mentally and emotionally. I’ve learned things the hard way, and I’m still learning every day. I don’t regret anything, but looking back, there are a few things I wish I had known a little sooner.

These lessons are personal, but maybe they’ll speak to you too — especially if you’re on your own journey of figuring life out.

1. It’s Okay Not to Have Everything Figured Out

Is there any part of your life where you're still figuring things out? And can you be okay with not having all the answers yet?

one question that use to make me feel anxious  "where I am going in life? Or when people would ask what i want to do?"  I didn't have any answer 

The truth is many of us don't .

Life doesn’t always go the way we plan. There are twists, turns, and so many versions of ourselves we haven’t even discovered yet. You don’t have to have it all figured out. What matters most is that you keep going, one step at a time.

2. Confidence Comes From Action, Not Overthinking

I used to think I had to feel confident first — then I’d finally speak up, try something new, or share my thoughts online. But it doesn’t really work that way.

Confidence didn’t show up first. Taking small steps, even when I wasn’t sure or ready, slowly built that confidence. Every little try, even if it felt awkward, helped me trust myself more. That’s how growth really happens.

3. Protecting Your Energy Is a Form of Self-Respect

For a long time, I said “yes” to everything — even when I didn’t want to. I didn’t know how to say “no” without feeling guilty. I thought setting boundaries meant I was being rude or pushing people away.

But slowly, I realised it’s the opposite. Setting boundaries means I’m finally valuing my time, my energy, and myself. Now, I treat my peace like it’s something precious — because it is. Not everything needs a response. And not every connection is meant to stay forever.

4. Most People Aren’t Watching You — They’re Focused on Themselves

For a long time, I held myself back because I was scared of what people might think. I was afraid of being judged, of not being “good enough,” of showing up imperfectly. But the truth is — most people are too focused on their own lives to notice all the little things we stress over.

Realizing that gave me a strange kind of peace. It helped me let go of the pressure to appear perfect or to have it all figured out.

You’re allowed to show up as you are — messy, unsure, and still growing. You don’t have to wait until you’re fully ready. The right people will understand. They’ll see your heart and your effort. And the ones who don’t? You don’t need to carry the weight of their opinions.

Showing up as yourself is more than enough.

5. Waiting to Be Perfect Held Me Back

I used to chase perfection in everything I did. Whether it was writing something, sharing my thoughts online, or even practicing English — I kept telling myself, “I’ll start when I’m better at it… when I’m perfect.”

But that day never really came.

I kept waiting, holding back, overthinking every little thing. I thought if I could just prepare a little more or get it just right, I’d finally feel ready. But deep down, I wasn’t chasing improvement — I was afraid. Afraid of making mistakes, of not being good enough, of being seen trying and still not getting it right.

With time, I realized perfectionism wasn’t helping me — it was keeping me stuck. And the truth is, perfection doesn’t even exist. It’s just fear in disguise.

Now I remind myself: done is better than perfect. Trying — even if it’s messy or uncomfortable — is what moves you forward. The growth comes from doing, not from waiting. Some of the best things start when you finally let go of getting it “right” and just begin.

Final Thoughts

If you’re in your 20s — or even beyond — and you’re feeling lost, confused, or like you’re falling behind… I just want you to know: it’s okay. You’re not late. You’re not broken. You’re just human.

We put so much pressure on ourselves to have everything figured out by a certain age, but the truth is… life doesn’t follow a perfect timeline. Some lessons take time. Some growth happens quietly. And sometimes, the moments when we feel the most unsure are the ones that shape us the most.

The things I’ve shared here aren’t rules — they’re just gentle reminders. Things I learned through experience. And I’m still learning. Every day.

So if you’re reading this and it resonates, I hope you give yourself a little more grace. You’re growing — even when it doesn’t feel like it. And that’s something to be proud of.

> Your Turn

What’s one thing you wish you had known earlier in life? I’d genuinely love to know. You can share it in the comments, or just write it down in your journal for yourself. Either way, your reflections matter — and so does your journey.