8 Priceless Lessons From 26 Years of Life

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This past year has been full of ups, downs, and unexpected lessons—ones that have genuinely shifted my perspective.

So today I want to share the 8 ideas that have made the biggest impact on me over the last 365 days.

But before that

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Here are the 8 Priceless Lessons From My 26 Years of Life.

Let’s dive in.

1) Time moves faster as you get older (but it doesn't have to)

I think a lot about the concept of ‘Time Dilation’. 

How when we’re operating on autopilot, our days can start to blur together. Waking up at the same time, commuting the same route, following the same routine—it can make life feel like it’s on fast-forward.

But, by planting certain mental flagpoles, or ‘anchors,’ in our lives, we can effectively ‘slow down time’.

A couple ways I've put this into practice...

1. Story-worthy moments: Each night, I write down the most “story-worthy” thing that happened that day. This is an easy way to plant those mental flagpoles and make each day feel a bit more special.

2. Planned memories: Think about the most memorable times you’ve had with friends. What did those moments have in common? I try to plan more experiences that capture that same energy.

3. Mini Adventures: Set aside a half or full day each month dedicated to exploring a new place or activity. I recently took an evening cooking class and it was a blast.

2) Never underestimate the power of small habits

It's weird to think back to a time when I wasn't aware of the power of daily habits.

• Saving $8 per day = $3,000 per year

• Reading 20 pages per day = 30 books per year

• Walking 10,000 steps per day = 70 marathons per year

Start showing up every day, and you'll be amazed at where you end up in a year.

3) Journey Vs. Destination

The age-old question: Is life about the journey or the destination?

Turns out the answer is neither.

It's actually about the company.

If I've learned one thing in my life, it's this:

The quality of your experiences will be largely determined by the people you surround yourself with. This applies to nearly every aspect of life:

• Who you work with.

• Who you travel with.

• Who you start a business with.

• Who you choose to spend your life with.

Having goals matters, but ultimately, it’s the relationships you build along the way that you’ll remember in the end.

4) Stop dwelling on the past

One of my all-time favorite mindset shifts:

Let's say you're 37.

Instead of regretting that you can't wake up at age 18 again, pretend to yourself that you're 90 and you've woken up at age 37 again, and that you get to magically have the next 50 years again.

5. The best things in life are happening away from screens

Phone addiction is a silent epidemic.

Rather than a tool, our devices have become a crutch.

I decided this year that I didn't want to live my life like that anymore.

Here are the 3 biggest changes I’ve made to reclaim my time:

• The Modern Dumb Phone: I love this setup because it keeps the functionality of a smartphone while stripping away the addictiveness.

• The "No-Power" Hour: Dedicating one hour a day to go completely device-free—no screens, no notifications. This one can be hard at first, but you'll learn to cherish these hours.

• Setting hard limits: I use the app Opal (only for iOS) to set limits on my screen time. Instead of relying on willpower, sometimes the best approach is to remove the option entirely.

Remember this:

No one has ever laid on their deathbed and said, "I wish I spent more time scrolling."

6) The quality of your sleep will (largely) determine the quality of your life

This may sound like hyperbole, but I'm serious.

If I can pinpoint one thing that has improved my daily wellbeing the most in the last 5 years—it's fixing my sleep habits.

These few small changes have made a world of difference for me:

1. Cutting back caffeine: I recently switched to decaf coffee, and I have virtually zero issues falling asleep now.
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2. "No phone in bed" rule: This is the most important one. Buy a real alarm clock. Keep your phone out of your bedroom.
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3. Make your room like a cave: Cool (20°C/68°F), dark and quiet. Embrace your inner bear to improve your sleep.

7. Invest in your health like it’s your most valuable asset (because it is)

This sentence crosses my mind almost daily:

Your body is a house you have to live in for 80 years.

Here are a few things I recommend to everyone:

• Find a form of exercise you like and do it 3-4 times per week

• Avoid any ultra-processed food

• Learn to breathe through your nose at all times

• Follow a simple skin care routine

• Hot sauce is a secret weapon for eating healthy

• Work on fixing any posture issues you have

• Drink a big glass of water first thing in the morning (most people are chronically dehydrated)

8. It's never too late to reinvent yourself

For years, I felt "behind" in life—like all my friends were winning while I was lagging behind.

Rather than accepting my unique timeline, I tore myself apart for not meeting arbitrary milestones set by others.

I doubted every choice I made, questioning if I'd ever catch up or find my path.

Now at 26, I'm in the best place I've ever been personally and professionally, and when I look back, every step along the way makes sense.

So here’s what I’ve learned: Life isn’t a race, and comparison is the thief of joy. Embrace your journey, trust the process, and remember that it’s never too late to rewrite your story.

That's all!

I hope you this special edition.

Stay Elevated

Elevated Path