1 Year Older, 10x Wiser 🎉🎂
It's believed that many people grow wiser as they age. But I only needed 365 days to become the proverbial elder who sees things even while sitting on a wooden stool. I'm one year older and 10x wiser.
So, my steemian friends, I'd like to share some of the important life lessons I've learnt in these last 12 months. Feel free to come eat from my bread of wisdom. Ukpono understands life better now.
1. Silence is golden
It's 2026 and everyone puts up their cameras to capture every beautiful moment in their lives. The wins. The achievements. The new milestone. But what if I told you that it's okay not to talk about your wins sometimes? Yes, they inspire people to get better, but not everybody is in a place where they can receive that good news without feeling bad about themselves. And that's not their fault.
Social media has made more and more people live a life of comparison. Behind those screens, friends cry when they watch gender reveals or receive a notification that you've just bagged another degree. Should they be envious? Predictably. Envy arises when we watch people have the things we deeply desire for ourselves. It can be healthy when handled well (as it inspires others to work harder towards their goals), but destructive when things go out of hand.
2. Block and move on!
You've probably heard that it's okay to block or mute people whose content rile you up. I do this when content on some particular topics pops up my screen. Rather than engage in a keyboard fight, I quietly keep the creator off my news feed.
Life became more peaceful after that. But even more peaceful when I left LinkedIn. This is one app where people talk about landing a new job, launching a global project with a big brand, or graduating with a First Class. You might think you're genuinely happy for them until you catch yourself comparing your achievements to theirs. That feeling is unhealthy.
So if someone you love posts things that make you start comparing your chapter 1 to their chapter 20, it's okay to unfollow or block them. It doesn't mean you hate them. It means you're choosing your peace. Now, go back to growing at your pace and finding joy and fulfilment from your little wins.
3. Smartness takes you to places but hard work keeps you there
I grew up being one of the smartest kids in my neighbourhood. But the older I get, the more I realise that smartness alone isn't the secret to success. There will always be someone smarter in the room. What separates smart people from successful people is consistency, grit, and the ability to stay resilient when life gets difficult.
4. Let failure teach you, not define you.
Failure isn't the opposite of success. It's part of the process. Every time something doesn't go the way you planned, you're being handed a lesson that no classroom would have taught you. Take it, learn from it, and keep moving.
5. Documenting Your Life
Nothing you're going through is completely new. Someone somewhere is searching for exactly what you've experienced. Write it down, post it, share solution that helped you whether on social media, or on a blog. Share it anywhere. In some months or years, that "simple" idea in your head will be exactly what someone else needs. Your story could go a long way to helping them life their lives better.
6. You'd Find Your People
Not everyone will connect with you, and that's fine. But your people are out there. In a world of over 8 billion people, you'd always find someone who will understand you deeply, even your strong opinions and the sides of you that others find too much. Find them and grow together.
7. Be Yourself, Not a Reflection of Another
Don't let someone else's bad behaviour change who you are. Their mood is not your identity. Their pessimistic outlook to life isn't your assignment to carry. Spread love where you can, work on yourself daily. The world has enough people performing bitterness. Be the one who shows up differently.
8. Success comes from doing, not just dreaming.
Even if someone prophesied greatness over your life, you still have to get up and do the work.
9. Now, finally...
Tell the people you love that you love them. Don't assume they know. People bloom when they feel genuinely loved. Do this and watch them, including yourself, grow to your fullest potentials.
Happy birthday to me!
