18 Harsh Truths About Life According to Older Generations
As much as we want to believe it, life isn’t all rainbows and butterflies. As we get older, reality hits us with the harsh truth: life isn’t easy.
Knowing the truth about life helps you face reality better. It’ll help to adjust your expectations and see life isn’t so bad after all. The less you expect, the less you’ll be disappointed.
It’s helpful to hear truths from older generations to prepare yourself for the life yet to come. After all, they’ve been through a lot and know what they’re talking about.
1. Life Isn’t Fair
The harsh truth? Life isn’t fair, no matter how much we want it to be. When someone does us wrong, we can’t expect karma to take over and bring justice to the situation. There’s always the chance that unkind and egocentric people still find a way to get what they want.
Learn to accept that life isn’t fair. For instance, just because you worked harder than others, it doesn’t automatically mean you’ll get to the top.
2. You Can’t Please Everyone
It feels nice when people agree with you. However, you can’t please everyone. No matter how hard you try, people always seem to find ways to disagree with you.
Don’t pour too much energy into pleasing everyone. It’ll only give you stress and frustration because you most likely aren’t going to change their mind. Once you accept that you can’t please everyone, your life will get a whole lot more peaceful.
3. You Can Only Rely on Yourself
You are the one person that will always have your back. Don’t lean on someone else’s shoulder too much, as they can always disappoint you or choose their own path. Don’t expect everyone to support you all the time, as you can never know what their priorities or motives are.
Take accountability for your life. You’re the only one who can improve your life because you are the one who creates your destiny.
4. Money Isn’t Everything
Sure, money can help improve things in your life, but it isn’t the solution to everything. You can have all the money in the world, but that won’t guarantee happiness. You need a meaningful life and solid relationships to really appreciate your life.
Chasing success or money shouldn’t come at the expense of your relationships. Sharing your experiences and blessings with friends and family makes life richer and more fulfilling.
5. You’re Responsible for Your Happiness
You can’t always depend on other people to make you happy. Sure, your partner or friends can make you feel better, but you should learn how to do it on your own as well. If others aren’t around anymore, how will you make yourself smile?
You’re responsible for your happiness. Find hobbies or interests that give you joy and peace. Don’t dwell on negative things, and look at the brighter side of life.
6. The World Owes You Nothing
Don’t expect the world to give you what you think you deserve. It’s a harsh truth you need to face. The world will not do anything to improve your life, as you’re responsible for yourself.
Relying on external circumstances or waiting for good news can leave you stagnant. True fulfillment comes from taking control of your own journey, putting in the effort, and working hard to achieve your goals.
7. There’ll Always Be Someone Better Than You
No matter how hard you try, there’ll always be someone better than you. They could be brighter, healthier, wealthier, or more talented than you, and that’s okay.
Living life trying to be the best all the time can be frustrating. Instead, be the best you can be for yourself. Focusing on other people’s progress just makes it harder to see how far you’ve come.
8. Death Can Happen Anytime
The scariest fact is that death can happen anytime. A close friend or family member might be saying their last words without anyone knowing it. With this harsh truth, you should appreciate everyone around you, as you never know if (and when) you’ll see them again.
Yes, I understand if it may come off as dramatic, but I’ve had more than once seen someone for the last time without knowing it. It can come unexpectedly, so take extra care in how you treat others, especially those closest to you. I always say “I love you” to my family before bed. While the thought of death may be sad, it’s a reminder to be grateful for each moment and show love to those who matter most.
9. Easy Money Drains Faster
Oh, the excitement of gaining money quickly! If you’re extremely lucky, you may win a lottery or suddenly receive a big amount but don’t expect your money to last. As the saying goes, “easy come, easy go.”
When money is earned without much effort, it’s harder to appreciate its value. This lack of appreciation can lead to careless spending, and before you know it, the wealth you gain may be gone. Instead, be sure to work for your money, invest it, and let it grow over time.
10. You Need To Fail To Succeed
Just because you failed once, it doesn’t mean you’ll never succeed. Failure is a part of the learning process. The more you fail, the more you know what you should and shouldn’t do to make things right.
It’s okay to be sad when you fail. However, you must learn to get up and learn from your mistakes. That’s how you become better and turn your losses into successes.
11. Pain Is Normal
It’s okay to feel pain. And I don’t mean back pain after sitting all day or a headache after not drinking enough water. Emotional pain is what makes us human. No matter how much we want to avoid experiencing emotional pain, we need it to stand stronger.
Heartaches and disappointments are part of life, and they exist so that you can learn from them. It’s natural to wish to avoid pain, but it only makes future setbacks more difficult to recover from. These moments might bring you to your lowest point, but they also provide the opportunity for growth and resilience.
12. Marriage Is Hard Work
Relationships aren’t like fairy tales, where everything works out perfectly without anybody putting in work. While a happily ever after is possible, it takes effort and dedication.
Marriage is hard work. You need to nurture how you treat your partner and find ways to keep the spark alive. Start by learning your partner’s love language and dedicating time to bond regularly. Small gestures can go a long way in keeping the relationship strong.
13. Friendships Can Fall Apart
Just because you’ve been through a lot with a close friend doesn’t mean you’ll stay that way forever. Sometimes, the person you love most can become distant or even an enemy.
The sad truth is that someone once close to you might be gone for good. You can choose to forgive and move on, but sometimes, letting go is the only option.
14. You Can’t Stay Young Forever
Your youth is a wonderful time, full of energy and ambition as you hustle towards your dream life. But while you enjoy your 20s, know you won’t stay young forever.
I’m not trying to spoil the fun, but I’m trying to say that you shouldn’t neglect your future. Prioritize your health and build wealth while you still can. As you get older, your options become limited. And you’ll be very happy you started investing or built that gym habit.
15. You Can’t Go Back in Time
You might regret a decision made days, weeks, or years ago. It could be passing on a work opportunity or saying the wrong words to the people you love.
Unfortunately, you can’t go back in time and change your decisions. All you can control is today and the future. Start making decisions you won’t regret later because you never know if the opportunity will come again.
16. Kids Grow up Fast
One day, you’re holding your baby, and the next, you’re dropping them off at school. Time flies, and your child grows up faster than you realize.
Cherish every moment with your children. You can’t go back to those early days. Even with a busy schedule, make time for your child while they’re still young, and you’re their whole world.
17. You’re Not Always the Victim
You’re not always the victim, even if you don’t like it. Depending on the situation, you may even be the problem. Just because something conflicts with you doesn’t mean they’re wrong and you’re right.
Assess the situation and look at both sides of the story. Take the effort to see yourself in their shoes and try to understand what they’re going through. It might give you a deeper perspective of the situation.
18. Don’t Forget To Live in the Moment
Social media is taking over, and everything needs to be online. Nowadays, watching a concert isn’t about experiencing live music but taking videos to post online. As much as you want to share your life with the rest of the world, don’t forget to live in the moment.
Take time to put down your phone and appreciate what’s in front of you. Enjoy playtime with your child rather than thinking about how to take videos of them. The more involved you are with others, the happier you’ll be.
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