Welcome to The Happier Newsletter, a weekly newsletter where I provide actionable ideas to help you build a happier, healthier, and more meaningful life.
What’s On Today
- Topic: 5 Life Lessons I Wished I’d Learned Before 30
- Question: One Lesson You Wish You’d Learned Sooner
- Visual: It’s Time To Let Go
- Gratitude: 3 Things I’m Grateful For This Week
5 Life Lessons I Wished I’d Learned Before 30
In our twenties, it often feels like we have endless time and a wide-open future. We throw ourselves into work, friendships, adventures—sometimes without much thought for where it's all taking us. But as the years go by, we start to notice patterns. We learn what really drives us and what drains us, we see the impact of our choices, and we come to realize the things that truly matter in building a meaningful life.
Looking back, there are a few lessons I wish I’d understood earlier. They’re simple but powerful truths that would have made life easier, more fulfilling, and, ultimately, much happier.
Here are 5 lessons I wished I’d learned before 30.
1. It’s not a lack of time or energy, it’s a lack of priority.
For the longest time, I told myself I wanted to get back into sports. Growing up, I was a sports junkie—soccer, basketball, baseball; you name it, I played it. But everything changed after I dislocated my knee twice, requiring surgery at 15. It felt like sports were no longer an option, and I used that as an excuse to stop. My priorities shifted, and I started working in hospitality, which meant late nights, partying, and not prioritizing health.
At first, it was easy to say I had no time or energy to exercise. But looking back, it wasn’t about a lack of energy; it was about a lack of desire. Socializing and having fun had taken over, and I didn’t make my health a priority. This kept me feeling stuck in bad habits, and it wasn't until I turned 30 that I truly reclaimed my health as a priority—or at least I’m trying my best.
The secret: you have to want it, and you have to put it first.
2. Waking up early is a life cheat code.
I never used to be an early riser. Late nights were my thing, and I'd sleep till noon. That changed when I started working as a health assistant. My shifts began at 7 am, which meant a 6:15 am departure and a 5:30 am alarm. At first, it was brutal, but over time, I grew to love the quiet mornings.
When my job changed, I still woke up early out of habit, and it became one of my most productive routines. There’s something powerful about those morning hours when the world is quiet, and your mind is sharp. It’s when I found focus, when distractions were at their lowest. Now, with a baby, early mornings are a bit rarer, and I feel the difference in my productivity.
When you create that time for yourself in the morning, you’re not just up early; you’re setting the tone for your day.
3. Happiness is found in serving others.
In my twenties, I spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to be happier—experimenting with routines, habits, and hobbies. But the real shift didn’t happen until I stopped focusing solely on myself. True happiness, I realized, comes from contributing to others. Whether it was volunteering, helping a friend in need, or even just listening without judgment, I found joy in moments where I was making someone else’s day a little better.
Service shifts your perspective. When you stop fixating on what you’re lacking and start focusing on how you can support others, your problems often seem smaller. It brings purpose into even the simplest actions. When I finally began to see happiness as a byproduct of connection and giving, I felt richer and more fulfilled than ever. Happiness grows when it’s shared.
4. Don’t stress over what you can’t control; focus on what you can.
I used to obsess over grades in university. My goal was to graduate with honours, thinking it would be my ticket to top universities. When I missed out on honours by a hair’s breadth, it felt like a blow. But then, life intervened. In my final year, I met my future partner, who lived across the world. My career path took unexpected turns, and instead of attending one of the “big name” universities, I pursued my Master’s at the same university. I graduated with honours after all, but looking back, those high grades weren’t the make-or-break factor I’d imagined.
What mattered more was my work ethic and attitude, the relationships I built, and the resilience I showed. Those are the things that made an impact. High grades may open doors, but it’s who you are and the values you show up with daily that keep them open. When you align your goals with your values, the pressure to achieve “perfect” results eases.
5. Take that leap of faith.
In the end, it’s the things you don’t do that weigh on you the most. You won’t always feel completely ready or have all the answers, but don’t let that stop you. Some of the best moments in my life happened when I chose to leap despite the fear—whether it was moving to a new country, changing jobs, or pursuing a passion project.
Regret is a heavy burden. The "what-ifs" can stick with you for years, even a lifetime. Taking risks doesn’t mean it will all go perfectly, but each step teaches you something new. And if things don’t go as planned, remember that every setback is just a stepping stone toward growth.
One Lesson You Wish You’d Learned Sooner
We all have those moments when hindsight hits, and we think, "If only I’d known this sooner." The beauty of life’s lessons, though, is how they shape us, even if we learn them a little later than we’d like.
What’s one lesson you wish you’d learned sooner in life, and how has it shaped who you are today?
It’s Time To Let Go
3 Things I’m Grateful For This Week
- My wife—she’s doing so amazing with our little man ❤️
- Having had the opportunity to learn more about Aboriginal culture—followed a full-day workshop on this
- Being able to go to baby swimming lessons on Mondays
What are you grateful for this week?
