What’s the biggest life lesson you’ve learned so far this year?

[ThatQuickLimePombear]

For me, hands down: never think it can’t happen to you.

I don’t mean karma exactly, more that I genuinely never expected to experience some of the things I did this year. It’s been eye-opening, humbling, and definitely changed how I see life and people.

Curious what others’ biggest lessons have been this year, big or small.

AIBU to think some years just fundamentally change you?

That l don't have feel l'm getting old after taking up strength training at 65 and absolutely killing it and feeling young and strong again. And l am going to dress how l want and not care about my age.

At 53 I’ve realised that meeting the person that was right for me and getting married isn’t ever going to happen. That I’m plain, not beautiful or pretty. And that I’m just an option, not a priority to people.

The lesson I learned this year is that a job is only a job, it's not a lifestyle. You can do more by risking more
I thought I loved my job in a busy supermarket but I decided suddenly to leave. I am much happier now

That help isn't coming. It's up to me to help myself. But that god [insert preferred name for this concept] really does help those who help themselves.

That life can turn around and bite you at any stage, for no reason- I was run down at night by an E-bike with no lights- breaking and dislocating my shoulder, despite it being life changing there is no recourse to law and no prospect of any justice.

That life goes by faster than I could ever have imagined and you need to appreciate it and love the people around you and be grateful for them and be proud of yourself for who you’ve raised and how wonderful they are.
I really appreciate it now and don’t stress the small things as you never know what is around the corner.
we have been incredibly lucky that dh is still here.

That there is a correlation between hard work and luck. The harder you work the luckier you get.

In my late 50s, that if I pretty consistently go to the gym for 3 days a week and do weights, squats and lunges, I’ll get much stronger.

Agree with all the previous posts about how quickly life can change utterly. But specifically this year I have realised that when I’m angry at someone it’s often more about me than them.

I mean, for example, it’s often that I’m annoyed at letting myself be ignored or disrespected, or that someone else has benefited from taking a risk I was too afraid to.

And that the way to get over it is to deal with my feelings about that.

I've had a tough couple of years of life's lessons but the one thing I've had this year is that I'm unusual in that I handle things with grace. I along with others have been through a tricky time at work and I've been told by so many how well and gracefully I handle things. It's easy to forget our good qualities. I'm also really good at my job and with people.

I've also just found out that karma does bounce back. I hope the vile "friend" who belittled my job enjoys the distress of potentially losing her job the same way she enjoyed it when it was happening to me.

I’m so sorry - I do think friends can be far more flakey these days- or downright unpleasant if life isn’t going their way

Whenever things seems to be going well, something bad will happen.

Life can change in an instance.

Type 1 diabetes is a bitch and there is so much more to it than I could ever have imagined.

I have finally learned that I am not going to go back to putting on weight again and again.
Mounjaro is life-changing.

(yes, I’ve done it the hard way MANY times. I chose WLI because I had a lot of stuff going on and I didn’t have the time or energy to dedicate to it as I usually did)

I will not put myself through this again.
I now wear short, tight skirts all the time and I am not going to wear an elasticated waist EVER AGAIN 🤦‍♀️🤣

I’m 59, have great skin, longish blonde hair and I look great 😊 🙌🤣
I’m determined to stay that way.

I’m so sorry to hear this. Please take things one day at a time. Is she going through her own stuff she can’t handle? Not excusing her as I believe being a mom you always put your kids first. Keep well. Stay positive

I'm coming out (I hope) of some of the hardest years of my life at the moment, and they've been full of lessons.

But the big ones have been how much people will show up for you once you let your guard down and allow them to. My female friends especially have taught me what love really is in this past year – in a way that family and romantic partners never have.

And that I'm allowed to go slow. I'm allowed to take things gently. I don't have to constantly strive to be extraordinary and impressive; people in my life love me for who I am, not what I do.

Both lessons are completely terrifying and the greatest relief I've ever experienced, all at once.

Oh my. Sorry to hear this. Wish you good luck and positivity vibes. Please stay grateful for what you do have working for you

Not so much learning and realising my dad's probably going to need quite a lot of looking after when my mum has gone (she has health issues and he's likely to outlive her some way)

I've come to the realisation that I'll never manage to find a hobby that I enjoy and will stick to, even though I've got all the time in the world. I'm obviously just not capable 🤷

When you lie in the sun and forget your worries, it doesn't matter whether you're a millionaire or on the breadline — that's the end goal right there. It reminds me of the fisherman story...

A fisherman was lying on the beach, sleeping in the sun. A businessman approached him and said, “What are you doing? Why aren't you working?”

The fisherman replied, “I'm enjoying the sun because I've already worked this morning.”
The businessman said, “But if you continue to work and earn more money, you can grow your business.”

“What for?” asked the fisherman.

“To buy more boats and employ more people,” said the businessman.

“But why?” asked the fisherman.

“So you can live the life you want and do anything you like!” said the businessman.

“Hmmm,” said the fisherman. “Like lying on the beach in the sun?”

Value what you have and worry less about what you’ve not got.

It is possible to change deeply as a person for the better. But it involves saying goodbye to old ways of being and that is painful in itself. And it involves placing some faith in a new way which is not easy! You need someone else around you to help you with these difficult tasks of changing.

Yes amen to this!!! 🙏

That nobody is coming from outside to rescue you. There is no outside.

That’s mine too, hope you’re ok

How much people are prepared to lie to their friends in order to cover up bad behaviour.

I'm glad you are surrounded by love.

I let my guard down for once. I went from the person everyone leaned on to asking for help. They vanished.

My guard is well and truly back up and wont ever come back down again.