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You can look at life as an unending chain of lessons. Some of them we learn incredibly quickly. Others might take dozens of mistakes for us to finally grasp their significance. Hindsight is 20/20 and it’s often hard not to blame your past self for not foreseeing all the consequences of your actions. But that’s life for you. And unless you’ve got a time machine hidden somewhere, all that’s left is either to embrace the hard-won lessons and teach others about them, or to live in regret.

One internet user, u/IndianaC0NES, went viral on the r/AskReddit online community after asking everyone about the important lessons that they had learned the hard way. Many folks were happy to share their wisdom about money, relationships, and health, so that others might avoid the same mistakes that they made. Read on for their advice and upvote the tips that you found the most helpful.

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#1

30 Life Lessons That People Wish They’d Learned Sooner HR is there to protect the company, not you.

capresesalad1985 , cottonbro studio Report

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#2

30 Life Lessons That People Wish They’d Learned Sooner You can't use logical arguments to change the minds of those who don't value logic.

anon , Jarritos Mexican Soda Report

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Loverboy
Loverboy
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

“It's hard to win an argument with a smart person, but it's damn near impossible to win an argument with a stupid person.” – Bill Murray

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#3

30 Life Lessons That People Wish They’d Learned Sooner It's possible to make no wrong moves and still lose.

Tropicsenshi , whoislimos Report

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CD King
CD King
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A person told me once it's better to make a wrong move than just be stagnant. You have a fifty/ fifty shot the first time and then the second time and the third time.... etc. But if you do nothing, nothing will change.

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We firmly believe that it’s never—and we do mean never!—too late to learn from your mistakes. Changing your habits and your lifestyle, that’s something you can do at any point in life.

Would it have been better to have started living a healthy, frugal, and extremely social life years or even decades ago? Sure! But the next best time is to start developing those habits right now. Try not to be too harsh on your past self: you did the best you could with the knowledge, tools, and energy you had at the time.

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It’s easy to be critical of yourself for not going to the gym after a long day’s work, but people tend to overestimate their (past and future selves’) willpower, as well as their capacity for change and putting in massive, sustained effort. That’s why making incremental changes works far better than trying to do everything all at once.
#4

30 Life Lessons That People Wish They’d Learned Sooner Just because a person with authority tells you to do something, doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do.

queloqueamigo , Lukas Report

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Loverboy
Loverboy
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Terrible people are in every position, especially ones with a lot of authority.

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#5

30 Life Lessons That People Wish They’d Learned Sooner Not everyone is a good person. Some people actually want to see you fail. Stop oversharing. These nasty people will use it against you.

Ko_ogs72 , Helena Lopes Report

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Take me to dinner first
Take me to dinner first
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is something I actually struggle a lot to convince myself! Rationally I know there are bad people, but emotionally, God, how can you be mean or unethical and live with yourself? Dude, I would never be able to intentionally hurt someone or hold something against them

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#6

30 Life Lessons That People Wish They’d Learned Sooner Dumb people get old too, age doesn't equal wisdom, nor does it earn you respect.

this_guy_here_says , Pixabay Report

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No, you won’t fix your messy diet, excessive expenses, and floundering social life all in a day or a week. But over the next few months and years, you can radically change your situation for the better.

So long as the discipline is there. And you can maintain that discipline by genuinely being proud of every victory. No matter how small. Whether it’s remembering to brush your teeth before bed (instead of crashing on the sofa in front of the TV) or getting slightly closer to doing the recommended 10k steps per day.
#7

30 Life Lessons That People Wish They’d Learned Sooner Using substances to cope is actually the opposite of coping and the only thing you can be sure of is the eventuality of everything blowing up in your face.

139 days sober.

The_AmyrlinSeat , rebcenter moscow Report

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#8

30 Life Lessons That People Wish They’d Learned Sooner Your family doesn't always have your best interest at heart.

OhMyGodBearIsDriving , Kevin Delvecchio Report

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Loverboy
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sometimes family is toxic and they don't deserve to be in your life. Sometimes you're better without them.

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#9

30 Life Lessons That People Wish They’d Learned Sooner Making jokes about my trauma makes my trauma easier for me to deal with.

Making jokes about the trauma of others is f****d up and not my place.

astoneworthskipping , Jopwell Report

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Loverboy
Loverboy
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I cope with humor, some of it may be dark or offensive. Joking about others is a terrible thing to do, and it has a much different effect.

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Previously, fitness coach Anna Armagno Toussaint shared some great health tips to keep in mind as we all get older. According to her, the key to fitness and diet is consistency. That’s what lies at the core of healthy living.

"Losing and gaining the same weight is so bad for your body (and mental health). Focus on what you can, even if it's just drinking enough water or eating one serving of vegetables! And move a little even if that starts as stepping in place or simple short walks,” the fitness expert shared with Bored Panda during an earlier interview.
#10

30 Life Lessons That People Wish They’d Learned Sooner 1000 is not a lot of money to have but is a lot of money to owe.

Daleee , Pixabay Report

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Loverboy
Loverboy
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

1000 isn't a lot? S**t it is to me. But you're right, and you'll only owe more over time.

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#11

30 Life Lessons That People Wish They’d Learned Sooner Loyalty to a company does not pay.

2bornnot2b , Anna Shvets Report

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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Depends on the company. Generally, the bigger it is, the less likely your loyalty will be reciprocated.

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#12

30 Life Lessons That People Wish They’d Learned Sooner When people show you their true colors, believe them.

bellygrumbles , David Garrison Report

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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I believe what someone tells me of themselves until they show me otherwise

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"It is so important to improve your sleep hygiene: turn down the temperature in your room, turn off your phone and all screens an hour before bed, keep the room neat, and get at least 7 hours! Sleep impacts so much of our motivation and energy levels, even days after a rough night," she shared.

"Pick one thing to start, stop, or swap. Take a daily walk in the morning or evening (or whenever you want, but I prefer when it is cooler), drink more water (set a timer if you're not good about and add in a fun liquid or powder or flavored seltzer if you don't like water), or focus on eating more whole foods (especially vegetables and fruit),” the fitness coach said that it through all the “little victories” that you’ll get where you want to be.
#13

30 Life Lessons That People Wish They’d Learned Sooner if something feels wrong, it likely is.

drzed47 Report

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#14

30 Life Lessons That People Wish They’d Learned Sooner Don't let love blind your eyes, red flags are real.

Fxk07 , vjapratama Report

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#15

30 Life Lessons That People Wish They’d Learned Sooner Dental care is expensive!! Never be lazy with oral hygiene.

the_rice_life , Cedric Fauntleroy Report

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#16

30 Life Lessons That People Wish They’d Learned Sooner Learn when to stop drinking and call it a night.

Gadrilor , Aleisha Kalina Report

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Michael P (Perthaussieguy)
Michael P (Perthaussieguy)
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I learned at an early age (late teens) that I can't drink enough to get drunk. My stomach/body reaches a certain point before it rejects all I have ingested. So, I can enjoy alcohol up to a certain point but then I have to stop. In now in my 60's and it still applies. Every now and then I'll have one drink too many (thinking I hadn't reached that point yet) and... well, up it all comes. Good and bad, I guess.

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#17

30 Life Lessons That People Wish They’d Learned Sooner Stand up for yourself. If you get in the habit of letting people walk all over you, it'll be extremely difficult to reverse. Even if you're not confident, just fake it till you make it!

MISTERDIEABETIC , Kindel Media Report

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Directionless
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Be honest, not polite. You will be able to live with yourself afterwards.

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#18

30 Life Lessons That People Wish They’d Learned Sooner Never have kids with someone you don’t want in your life forever.

pntszrn74 , Ben Wicks Report

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Zephyr
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

True but people change for the best and for the worst

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#19

30 Life Lessons That People Wish They’d Learned Sooner Always take a chance to tell someone you love them. To give them a hug.

Never end a conversation on a harsh word.

Both for the same reason. **You never know if you will get to see that person alive again.**

I learned both those lessons from each of my parents.

Edgezg , Stanley Morales Report

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Zephyr
Zephyr
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But the fear of rejection is sometimes stronger than the urge to show affection

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#20

30 Life Lessons That People Wish They’d Learned Sooner Sometimes bad things happen to good people.

S**t happens and it doesn't really need to have a reason.

Sometimes you will be the bad guy, and sometimes you will be the good guy.

It happens.

KaiJonez , Ethan Sykes Report

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Loverboy
Loverboy
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Life sucks, s**t happens and it's not your fault. Sometimes it isn't anyone's fault. What's important is dealing with it the best you can and moving on.

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#21

30 Life Lessons That People Wish They’d Learned Sooner Nobody is coming to save you. Get. Off. The. Ground.

YourOldManJoe , Ono Kosuki Report

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#22

30 Life Lessons That People Wish They’d Learned Sooner Money doesn’t exist until the deposit hits your bank account and business promises mean nothing until legal documents are signed

FriscoFrank98 , Romain Dancre Report

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Not Bored
Not Bored
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Does not matter even legal documents. I've known too many who still got screwed over

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#23

30 Life Lessons That People Wish They’d Learned Sooner Not everyone has the same heart as you do

Accomplished_Hat2770 , Keenan Constance Report

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#24

30 Life Lessons That People Wish They’d Learned Sooner Don’t marry someone with mental illness that refuses treatment.

Cuiscool , Vera Arsic Report

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#25

30 Life Lessons That People Wish They’d Learned Sooner Do not spend like there’s no tomorrow. Tomorrow will come and it won’t be pretty.

cpu5555 , Christian Dubovan Report

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CD King
CD King
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It only takes one very small thing to bring it all down.

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#26

Don't ignore red flags. Don't be afraid to get help for dealing with an abusive partner. Don't be afraid to walk away.

chiknfingaz Report

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#27

30 Life Lessons That People Wish They’d Learned Sooner WEAR A HELMET

It's an easy safety precaution you can take when rollerblading, biking, skateboarding, scootering etc. And it can literally save your life

Went all through the 90's thinking helmets were lame... Fell while rollerblading in my 30's and got a subdural hematoma, I wasn't going fast but the momentum from how I fell just slammed my head into concrete.

HELMETS SAVE LIVESSSS

Shortiie5115 , 🇸🇮 Janko Ferlič Report

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Loverboy
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Same goes for seatbelts, they will save your life. There was a girl in my town a few years back that got in an accident not too far from me and flew out the windshield. She was pregnant. As you can guess, she didn't survive.

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#28

30 Life Lessons That People Wish They’d Learned Sooner A falling knife has no handle.

el_monstruo , wu yi Report

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#29

30 Life Lessons That People Wish They’d Learned Sooner There’s always other jobs out there. Don’t stay in a s****y one just cuz you think no one else would hire you.

8-Bakugo-8 , Cytonn Photography Report

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Loverboy
Loverboy
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one is easier said than done. It's certainly not impossible to get another but sometimes that security in your current position prevents you from getting another.

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#30

30 Life Lessons That People Wish They’d Learned Sooner You are not your emotions. You are an awareness who observes them.

Medium_Dare_6657 , Annie Spratt Report

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Loverboy
Loverboy
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Your thoughts and emotions are just passing storms, while you're the much larger sky that contains them. You are the observer, not the observed. Sometimes you may be sad, angry, jealous, or similar, what's important is remembering that you are in control of how you act and deal with those emotions.

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