Most life lessons are learned through personal experience, when we go through them or find ourselves in a specific situation. But there are also those that we could soften or even avoid if we had heard about them beforehand and are open to learning through examples. In this article, I share with you ten life lessons that I have learned along my way – some the hard way, others with gratitude and awareness. I hope at least one of them serves you just when you need it the most. And if not now, let it remain within you and find you at the right moment.
1. Do not take life too seriously"Life is a big trial" – some say. "Life is mine and I will live it as I want" – others say. And a third group jokes: "Life? Well, we will all be underground sooner or later." Personally, I believe in something different: "Life is what you make of it." And the truth is that there is a grain of truth in each of these phrases.
Our lives are a consequence of the decisions we make and the priorities we set. We want more money – we work hard. We want to be happy – we change direction, we find what we love. We want everything – we take risks. Every desire leads to a decision. Every decision – to an action. And every action has consequences.This is the formula of life. Yes, these are serious matters. But that's where the big "BUT" comes in – excessive seriousness distances us from joy. The wrong decisions poison us with anxiety, while successes rarely linger in our minds for long. The formula is important, but it is not sufficient. While trying to make the right decisions, don't forget to have fun. Life is short and unpredictable – you don't know how much time you will have. The meaning is not in flawless planning, but in loving your life as it is with all its edges and surprises. There is no perfect happiness. But there are moments. Joy. Smiles. Spontaneity. If you take life too seriously, the formula will take you somewhere – but you might lose the meaning along the way.
2. Practice gratitude every day
Някога задавал ли си си въпроса: „Защо се чувствам тъжен?“ – без да имаш конкретна причина? Сигурна съм, че да. И аз също. Много пъти. Но ще ти кажа нещо: често, това чувство идва от едно нещо – фокусът върху липсата. Върху това, което още не си постигнал, което искаш, но все още го няма. Когато умът ти е насочен само към празното, естествено започваш да се чувстваш зле. Но има едно леко, просто и мощно „лекарство“, което може да обърне това усещане и то се казва благодарност.
Try this: every time you feel sadness, dissatisfaction, or emptiness - stop and list at least five things you are grateful for. These can be achievements, people, moments, or even things you often take for granted. Trust me - this method works. Always. It's normal to want more. Something better, more beautiful, more peaceful. But constant focus on what you still don't have only pulls you back. And in the meantime, we forget to appreciate what is already here. So - do not forget. There are people who dream of what you call 'ordinary.' Be grateful for the food on your table, even if it's not gourmet. For your job, even if it's not your 'dream' job. For the family that loves you. For the friends that make you laugh. For the little things. Because that is where great happiness lies.
3. Don't compete, but walk your own path.
Sometimes it is tempting to look sideways and think: 'Look at her – how much she has achieved. And where am I?' Or: 'He has everything that I still don't have.' Stop. Really. Life is not a competition. Each of our lives is exceptional in its own way. We do not start from the same place. We do not move at the same pace. And we definitely do not want the same things. When you compete with others, you lose touch with yourself. This is extremely degenerative for you. Build yourself. Learn. Forge your personality. Start living by your own standards and accumulate knowledge and physical things step by step. And if you see someone else already having it, do not judge and do not envy. Rejoice with that person because you do not know what they have gone through to have it. Instead of looking into someone else's yard, direct your energy towards developing yourself according to your own rhythm and meaning. Your path is unique. And only you can truly walk it.
4. Rejoice in the successes of others, but celebrate your own.
It's easy to compare yourself. It's also easy to envy – even silently, without bad thoughts. But there is something beautiful here that we often miss: to genuinely rejoice in someone else's success. Not because we have to, but because it teaches us generosity of spirit. But don't forget about yourself. Don't belittle your own victories just because someone else is "further ahead." Even your smallest steps deserve recognition. Don't wait for applause. – be the person who will celebrate your efforts first. You know what you have overcome to get here.
5. Love and respect your family
The family is not always perfect. But in most cases – they have given you everything that was within their power. They have helped you take your first steps, they created the person you are today. Do not judge them harshly. Yes, sometimes they can annoy you. Other times – they can hurt you. But it is precisely in the family that the deepest and unconditional love often lies – the love of people who are with you not for what you achieve, but simply because you are you. Do not wait for the "right moment" to show your love. A simple conversation, a "thank you", a "I miss you" – sometimes weigh more than gifts and gestures. Respect your family not only when everything is calm, but also when there is tension. Because relationships with loved ones are like plants – if you do not water them regularly, they wither. And then it may be too late.
6. Let those who want to leave, go. Не знам за теб, читателю, но за мен дълго време беше изключително трудно да кажа „довиждане“ на хората, които си тръгваха от живота ми – понякога буквално, друг път тихо и без обяснение. По-лошото беше, че винаги търсех вината в себе си. Мислех, че не съм достатъчна. Че съм направила нещо грешно. Че ако бях „повече“ – щяха да останат. Но с времето разбрах нещо важно. Хората понякога са като сезоните. Идват, носят със себе си промяна, понякога уроци, друг път само момент. И си отиват. Без вина. Без драма. Без дълги обяснения. Не винаги си ти причината. И това е напълно нормално. Разбира се, боли. Но истината е, че не можеш да задържиш никого, който вече е решил да си тръгне. И не трябва да го правиш. Да пуснеш някого не е загуба. Понякога това е най-смелият начин да си върнеш себе си. Да създадеш пространство – за нови връзки, за спокойствие, за израстване. Болката ще мине. Но мирът, който идва след това – остава. Довери се на този процес. Научи се да пускаш. Това също е любов – към себе си.
7. The past is a teacher, not a prison.: Толкова често се връщаме назад: „Ако бях казала онова…“, „Ако не бях направила това…“ Истината обаче е проста – миналото няма бутон за редактиране. То е такова, каквото е. Постъпила си по начина, който тогава си усетила за правилен. Реагирала си с чувствата, мислите и опита, с които си разполагала в този момент. И това е напълно човешко. Затова вместо да се тормозиш с въпросите „Ами ако…?“, започни да се питаш: „Какво мога да направя сега?“
If you feel that you acted differently than you wanted to before, just use the next similar situation to respond in a better way. That is growth. The past is not a prison – it is a teacher. Take your lesson but don’t remain living in it. Look ahead. Life does not happen in your memories – it happens here and now. And every new day is a chance to rewrite your direction.
8. Act even when you are not fully ready.New job? New environment? New beginning? If you are not completely sure – that is normal. The truth is, you will almost never be 100% ready for a big change. There is a reason for this: when we embark on a new path, the feeling is both exciting and concerning. Uncertainty is part of the process – it comes from the fact that we cannot predict exactly what will happen.That is why the feeling of "I am not ready" will always be present – and it is exactly this feeling that will make you procrastinate. However, if you have done your self-reflection and the pros outweigh the cons, then you already have the clarity you need to take a step. In the worst case, you will learn something new about yourself – and in the best case, you will build a bolder, stronger version of yourself. The perfect moment rarely arrives – almost never. Courage is not the absence of fear, but the choice to act despite it. I know that changes are not easy at all, but be brave. Be adaptable and believe in yourself – who knows, maybe something wonderful is waiting for you just around the corner.
9. Do not blindly trust everything you hear or read.: В днешно време това, което имаме в пълно изобилие, е информацията и информираността. Имаме достъп до интернет и социални мрежи, които ежедневно ни заливат с мисли, съвети, факти, мнения и “истини”. Това на пръв поглед е страхотно, но помисли: всяка идея, която срещаш, е вече пречупена през личната гледна точка на някого. А тази гледна точка идва със своите страхове, убеждения, ограничения и предразсъдъци. Така се раждат изкривяванията, неточностите, дори и лъжите. Не всичко, което хората казват, е истина и със сигурност не всичко важи за теб. Научи се да отсяваш, да мислиш критично, да търсиш своята истина. Един от най-добрите начини да го направиш е чрез четене – особено на книги, които не търсят сензация, а дълбочина. Знам, звучи клиширано, но е доказано: книгите изграждат мислещ човек. Бих се осмелила да кажа дори не вярвай напълно на тази статия. Не приемай нищо наготово. Пречупи го през себе си, постави го под въпрос и си вземи това, което наистина ти служи.
10. Learn to be self-sufficient.
Да бъдеш самодостатъчна не значи да си сама. Не значи да не разчиташ на никого или да се затвориш за света. Означава да се научиш да бъдеш своя основа – да можеш да се изправиш, дори когато няма кой да те хване. Да се чувстваш цяла, дори когато си сама в стаята. Само достатъчността идва с време. С доверие в себе си. С малките избори – като това да прекараш време сама, без да се чувстваш изгубена. Когато започнеш да намираш сила вътре в теб, а не в одобрението на другите – тогава ставаш наистина свободна. И знаеш ли кое е най-хубавото? Че когато си самодостатъчна, вече не търсиш любов, за да запълниш празнина. А за да я споделиш. На мен лично ми отне много дни насаме под небето и много тихи моменти, в които осъзнавах, че трябва да се справя сама. Но го направих. И тогава разбрах нещо важно – първите крачки към самоувереността започват тогава, когато разбереш, че си самодостатъчна. Че си достатъчна такава, каквато си. Че можеш да се справиш, да се изградиш, да си опора. И именно тогава, когато спреш да чакаш някой да те „поправи“ или „спаси“, животът ти изпраща човек, който не идва да те допълни, а да върви с теб. Един до друг – двама самодостатъчни, които избират да бъдат заедно.
While I was writing them, I thought of just as many more. Life constantly teaches us – we just need to be open to hear the lessons. If any of these lessons have spoken to you, inspired you, or if you feel they are written just for you – write to me. I would be happy to hear your perspective. And if you want to see part 2 – share it in the comments or on my social media.
Имам още много да разказвам. 🌿