Late start
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Choose a partner, job, or goal to force personal growth.
Even if it fails, you will become a greater person.
one person who lived it
Live as if you are 60 years old who has magically turned 18 again, making the most of every moment.
you’ll be okay
one person who lived it
Avoid jumping into marriage, military service, or drug use if you are young, lost, and scared.
These are lifelong decisions often made for identity by those who are lost and scared, which is likely not best.
one person who lived it
Get a GED and pursue a technical degree.
It leads to better money and benefits.
one person who lived it
Learn to code or apprentice with a handyman to gain skills that are always in demand.
These skills can be done anywhere and are always needed.
one person who lived it
Read 'Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself' by Joe Dispenza and try the practices found within it.
It helped one person get closer to who they wanted to be.
one person who lived it
Be grateful for the sixty days (or 1440 hours) you have left to make a change rather than being disappointed that is all you have.
one person who lived it
Pursue well-paying technical trades and manage your money wisely.
You may be able to retire early.
one person who lived it
Take a year off to work before returning to complete a bachelor's degree.
College is best completed with internal motivation, which one person lacked on their first attempt but gained after working.
one person who lived it
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Realize that 'peaking' in high school is a myth; life has barely begun.
one person who lived it
Work and save money to hire a tutor, pass your exams, and enter college later.
one person who lived it
Enroll in community college to improve your grades, then transfer to a university.
Most employers do not care about the specific school, only that kids from those schools get hired.
one person who lived it
create social opportunities by joining clubs, volunteering, or attending meetups.
If you don't put in any effort, it will be impossible to make friends.
one person who lived it
Concentrate solely on improving from where you were yesterday rather than measuring yourself against others.
Small incremental gains in the right direction will add up overtime no matter what age you are
3 people, independently
Volunteer at a food pantry, animal shelter, or senior center.
It will immediately give you structure and provide an outward focus.
one person who lived it
Stop comparing your life to others, especially friends, because your journey is unique and age does not determine success.
Comparing your insides to other people's outsides leads to dissatisfaction; your journey is yours alone.
one person who lived it
Start saving, investing, and managing money wisely now rather than waiting until retirement.
Some people realize this only after they retire.
one person who lived it
Embrace 'amor fati' by accepting and loving both positive and negative events as part of life.
2 people, independently
Contact local America Job Centers to access federal funding (WIOA) for career training.
Federal and potentially state dollars are available for training.
one person who lived it