5 Life Lessons I Wish I Knew in My Teenage Years...

Don’t Let Childhood Experiences Dictate Your Current Situations

What do I mean by this? When I was younger, I used to love kiwis—I ate them all the time, probably hundreds. But one day, I bit into a kiwi that was extremely sour, and from that moment on, I stopped eating kiwis for years out of fear that I’d experience the same disappointment again. Looking back, it’s a funny story, but it taught me a valuable lesson: you can’t let one bad experience change your entire lifestyle. For years, I missed out on something I loved because of that one sour bite. Eventually, I started eating kiwis again and rediscovered why I loved them. Sometimes, we have to move past a negative experience to find joy in something we once enjoyed. Don’t let one moment of discomfort hold you back from future happiness.

Choose Your Friends Wisely, But Also Choose Where You Hang Out

People always talk about choosing the right friends, and I completely agree with that. But what’s just as important is choosing the right environment to spend time in. During my early high school years, my friends and I often hung out in random places around the school, which usually led to boredom and occasionally trouble—like sneaking into the gym to play basketball. However, later on, my brother and I started exploring different clubs and eventually found a classroom where students met during lunch to discuss competitions. That new environment opened up a world of opportunities for us. We learned networking and public speaking skills simply because we were in a place where those opportunities existed. The right environment can make all the difference in your life—surround yourself with good opportunities, and you’ll be more likely to take advantage of them.

Don’t Worry About What Others Think, but Care About Your Personal Brand

It’s important to stay true to yourself and not be overly concerned about what others think. When I was younger, I adopted the mindset of “I don’t care what people think about me; I’ll do whatever I want.” And while it’s great not to let others control your decisions, I’ve come to realize that taking care of your personal brand and appearance matters too. I didn’t care much about my hygiene or how I presented myself because I thought it didn’t affect anyone else. But the truth is, you only get one pair of feet, one set of teeth, one pair of eyes, and if you don’t take care of them, no one else will. Your parents might remind you to brush your teeth, but if you get a cavity, it’s your responsibility to deal with it. As we gain more freedom, our responsibilities multiply. No one is going to take care of your health or well-being except you. It’s like when you’re a baby and someone changes your diaper for you, but as you grow up, you have to learn to take care of yourself.

Ask More Questions

As kids, we were always curious and full of questions: “Why is the sky blue?” or “Why does that person have wheels on their chair?” We didn’t worry about asking the wrong thing; we were just curious. But as we got older, especially in school, we started to fear asking questions because we didn’t want to look dumb in front of others. The truth is, most people aren’t thinking about us—they’re too busy worrying about themselves. Asking questions is how we learn, and holding back only limits your growth. I disagree when people say school didn’t teach us anything. Often, it wasn’t that the system failed—it’s that we weren’t asking questions or engaging with the material. Sure, the school system can be overly focused on memorization, but real learning comes from curiosity and asking questions.

Enjoy the Little Experiences

As we grow older, we start to realize that it’s the small moments that stay with us the longest. I remember the time my mom took me to archery lessons, or when my dad gave me what I thought was a frisbee, but it turned out to be a camping stove disc. These small experiences might seem insignificant at the time, but they are the moments we remember later in life. Enjoy the moments with your family, whether it’s going out for frozen yogurt with your sister or play-fighting with your brother. As we get older and start building our own lives, these little moments become cherished memories. Make sure to appreciate and savor the small things, because they don’t come back once they’re gone.