23 Things I learned in 2023

1. Talk is cheap.
2. Trust is earned. Actions are the true testament to character.
3. People come with nuance and complexity.
4. Quality over quantity. There is not enough time for even those I love most.
5. Don’t be afraid to be the first one to leave the party.
6. An incognito life brings immense peace and calm, hidden joy.
7. What defines me as a person is what kind of person I am than what I do.
8. I do not have control over the actions of others, but I always have control over what I say and do.
9. Place the locus of evaluation internally. What matters is being someone I can live in peace as, live in peace with, am proud of, and love most.
10. Protect myself. Stand up for myself.
11. I’ve learned to care less about certain things.
12. Cherish and commit to what is in front of me.
13. My life is right now. All there is is here and now.
14. Accept that nothing is forever.
15. Genuine, open-hearted, kind and generous people surround themselves with genuine, open-hearted, kind and generous people.
16. Enter with an open mind and heart. Let life surprise you.
17. Most problems can be solved by meeting basic needs: access to nature, proper rest, good nutrition, clean environment.
18. No one has the answers.
19. Small mistakes can be fleeting irritations or learning opportunities.
20. Life takes time. Every aspect of life has its own timing. Be patient.
21. Small decisions make up the entirety of who I am: what I wear, what I eat, what I say, how I react, with whom I spend time and how I spend time.
22. I've a growing appreciation for whom I’ve sharpened myself to become.
23. Sharing life with friends is one of the greatest gifts one can relish.