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I’ll be 25 in a few days, and damn, do I feel… wiser. But when I go through the list I had made over and over again, I also realize — over and over again — how candid and practical life can be most of the time, as opposed to the seriousness and profundity some people my age would label their 25th year. It really isn’t so bad after all. Quarter life, or life in general actually, is ultimately what you make of it.
So let’s get started, shall we? Here are 25 life lessons I have learned by age 25, with Experience as my ultimate guru (not always a good idea, by the way; but I regret nothing). And remember, the practical and oftentimes extremely blunt realizations are just as precious as the ones that strike a chord. That being said, I hope these so-called life lessons make you laugh — and think — at the same time: a scary combination!
1. If it’s too good to be true, most probably, it ain’t true.
2. Being vegetarian can teach you a lot of things, from compassion to simplicity, creativity to amazingly regular bowel movements.
3. When you lie, you eventually get caught. That is a guarantee.
4. Ergo, save yourself the trouble and just don’t lie.
5. Science is about discovering and revealing facts of the universe, not about defining absolute truths. Science shouldn’t be treated like a god, or religion; sadly, a lot of “rational” people these days treat it as such.
6. There is no such thing as an absolute truth — only different sets of realities.
7. Reality is malleable.
8. “First love never dies” is a big old bag of bullshit.
9. You’ll never genuinely understand the truth that is the sacredness of virginity until you lose it with the wrong person. So if you’re still a virgin, wait for the right one, because the truth hurts when it is revealed too soon.
10. Memory loss during a drunken escapade is, just like the concept of first love, a big old bag of bullshit… only bigger.
11. A bottle of beer to cure a really bad hangover is just a lame excuse to get your drink on in the morning. Pop a couple of Advil and you’ll be picture perfect in 15 minutes or less.
12. Women who can’t seem to orgasm and tell their partners, “It’s not you. It’s female biology,” are big fat liars. Yes, men, you probably need more practice.
13. I know for sure that the world would be a much better place if everyone turned bisexual.
14. You will appreciate the value of education so much more when you go back to school after at least four years in an office cubicle.
15. Writer’s block is overrated. Look around you! Inspiration is everywhere.
16. We are all social beings, but it won’t hurt to be an island every once in a while. You learn so much about yourself, other people and the world when you’re alone.
17. If you are to be anything, anything at all, be these two things: Love and Gratitude.
18. I don’t believe in God, but when I look at the little miracles all around me, I don’t mind calling it God either.
19. Overused but true: Do not let anyone tell you what you can’t do.
20. Quit smoking. It’s the best gift you can give your body, if you can’t be a vegetarian.
21. Smoking weed as a “f-ing amazing experience, dude”… really isn’t.
22. You waste a whole lot of yourself and your life when you engage in hardcore drugs, and you’ll end up making up for it for the rest of your life. Yes, even if it was just that one night, that one party, that one line. THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.
23. If you refuse to believe in karma, then you better think at least five times before you act.
24. Curiosity may have killed the cat, but losing it altogether kills the spirit.
25. Look at everything, everyday, through the eyes of a child.
Credit: This entry was inspired, once again, by one of Marc and Angel’s awesome posts.
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August 14, 2009 8:16 am
lol, i was on the floor with this: "amazingly regular bowel movements." So true...
Quick note on going veg: the transition from eating meat to not can make or break the deal. When someone wants to be veg, they want to be that right away. Going cold turkey (no pun intended) though is really tough. Depending on how much meat you've been eating, the lack of protein can have strange effects on energy levels. So ease in. That's my "Now You Know" of the day.
Back to the post, #24 about curiosity is my favorite. Regardless of skill set, curious people learn quickly, adapt to situations and are really fun to be around.
#14 is right on and true for most things when you go back to them. Your home town, an old friend who you haven't seen for a while. Absence does make the heart grow fonder.
Btw, is that Angelina Jolie?
August 14, 2009 9:13 am
I was enjoying this up until #8, after that I could literally taste BS.
For starters, “First love never dies” is a big old bag of bullshit because you never had it. If you knew what was meant by that quote and had personally experienced it then you would not have mocked it.
Secondly, numbers 10 & 11 tell me you have never really been out drinking. If you truly believe in those, then I challenge you to a night of drinking with me. That puny little Advil will do nothing for you...
And don't lie (#3 & #4) because "smoking weed" is an amazing experience.
Also, karma doesn't exist...shit just happens. Take a "harden-the-fk-up" pill and move on.
Everything else is great advice (I don't like cliches, but they work in this article).
August 14, 2009 11:08 am
@Akshay: Very true. I didn't go cold turkey at all. I sought help from senior veg's and they all told me the same thing--eliminate one kind of meat at a time. The myth about protein deficiency in a vegetarian lifestyle is just about that--a myth. Our bodies don't really need that much protein to not just survive, but be healthy. Of course, if you're a professional body builder, that's a different story. Yes, that is Angelina Jolie. :)
@Michaal: Thanks, those are good points. Actually, Michael, I did have a first love, and well, he literally died. :P But you're right--I shouldn't have mocked something like that. Most people who read my blog are close friends and family who know of what happened, and since the atmosphere of this whole post in the first place is pretty personal (if you haven't noticed) I guess I disregarded my responsibility as a public blogger to make my stuff a bit more relatable and unspecific. So, I do apologize for that. I'm sure other people who don't know me won't get the pun either. :P
But please, don't accuse me of #3 and #4, because just like I mentioned earlier, the list was brought about by Experience. And experience varies so greatly among individuals, so you really can't judge how an individual, say, responds to the effects of THC or a hangover, can you? Life, reality and human beings are so malleable that it's almost impossible to define a solid set of rules and What-To-Do-When...'s. Besides, I didn't say these were the "ultimate life lessons" that everyone should follow--I just said, "I hope they make you laugh--and think..." Nothing more, nothing less. So if you think this is all BS, I respect that. That's your opinion, and just like me, you're basing it on your own experience.
PS. I didn't say karma existed. Where did I say that? Stop inferring! In fact, if you read that bullet again, it's advice for people like you and ME (yes, I don't believe in karma either...surprise!) who believe that shit just happens, that these are just circumstances, blah blah blah. I personally think people who believe in karma have it easier; at least they know what and what not to do for fear of what might haunt them afterward.
August 14, 2009 12:29 pm
#26: What works for you is not going to work for everyone. That's why we have critical thinking skills.
August 14, 2009 1:01 pm
#27 A combat tour will totally change your focus, your future and your life.
August 14, 2009 1:06 pm
@KateNonymous: Same sentiments exactly.
@JRandom42: My grandfather would always say that.
Thanks!
August 14, 2009 2:25 pm
I like making lists. Some of these I never thought about, some I disagree with but to each their own, right? I really like the one about love and gratitude. Really beautiful :)
August 14, 2009 2:39 pm
Gracias, Grace! :)
August 14, 2009 5:11 pm
I'm all on numbers 8, 15 and 23 (and yes, actually, number 8 rings true for me. When you're ready to let it go, it's easy)
August 14, 2009 5:40 pm
@Mehnaz, I'm glad :) And hey, hold on to 15 no matter what; we're all looking forward to that NY Times Bestseller of yours. ;)
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