24 Lessons I Learned in 2024
Being 24 in 2024 has been a year of significant growth, reflection, and important lessons. Every experience, whether challenging or uplifting, has contributed to who I am in meaningful ways. Here are 24 lessons I’ve learned this year, each representing a key moment in the journey that has shaped my 24th year.
1. Don’t surround yourself with judgemental people.
Being around judgmental people can totally kill your vibe and make you question your worth. Instead, focus on the people who hype up your growth, love your quirks, and push you to be the best version of yourself without any judgment.
2. Not everyone will like you, and that’s perfectly fine.
Not everyone will understand or appreciate who you are, and that’s okay. Learning to let go of the need for universal approval is freeing and allows you to focus on building genuine connections with those who truly value you.
3. Go a month sober!!
My 2024 truly kicked off when I went sober for a month in April. In a world where drinking is so normalized, it’s hard to build a healthy relationship with alcohol. That month gave me time to reflect, start therapy, and even pick up reading. Babe, it might be time to reconsider that situationship with alcohol.
4. What you say about others reveals more about you than it does about them.
There were definitely times when I wasn’t the nicest during times I wasn’t feeling my best. But I’ve realized that what we say about others is really a reflection of ourselves, whether we mean it or if it’s coming from a place of spite. It’s important to be mindful of the impact of our words and what they really mean.
5. You belong in every room you go into.
You belong in every room you walk into, no matter how intimidating or unfamiliar it feels. Own your space, trust your worth, and remember that you’re meant to be and deserve to be there just as much as anyone else. You may find that some rooms weren’t worth the hype or are not good for you anyway.
6. Your life isn’t defined by your trauma but by the strength you showed in overcoming it.
Your life isn’t defined by the trauma you’ve faced, it’s defined by how you rise above it. It’s not about what happened to you, but about how you choose to heal, grow, and keep moving forward.
7. Your life changes when you stop letting your past control your future.
Your life starts to shift the moment you stop letting your past mistakes dictate your future. It’s all about forgiving yourself, moving on, and focusing on the present; your future doesn’t owe anything to your past.
8. Eat More!!
It’s all about finding balance. I’ve experienced being overweight, underweight, and everything in between, but this year, focusing on nourishing my body while combining mental and physical exercise has helped me feel healthier than I ever have since I was a teenager.
9. Feel those crazy feelings.
You’ve got to feel your feelings instead of pretending they don’t exist. When you push them aside, they don’t disappear; they just stack up and make things worse later. Acknowledge them, let yourself process, and move on with a much clearer head.
10. Life isn’t fair, and hoping that it will be won’t make a difference.
Life isn’t fair, and wishing it were won’t do a thing. Once you stop waiting for things to be “fair,” you can focus on making the most of what you've got and owning your journey.
11. It’s okay to look back and mourn past versions of yourself.
It’s totally okay to look back and mourn past versions of yourself. We all change, and sometimes you’ve gotta give a little love to who you were before stepping into who you’re meant to be.
12. Hurt people, hurt people.
Hurt people hurt people, and honestly, it’s usually not about you. It’s about their own mess, and I’ve been on both sides of that. Once you realize that, it’s so much easier to ditch the anger and throw some empathy their way instead.
13. There is no shame in asking for help.
Listen, nobody has it all together all the time, and reaching out when you need support is not only smart, it’s empowering. Don’t be afraid to ask for help; it’s how you level up and handle life like a boss.
14. It won’t matter in ten years.
“It won’t matter in ten years” has been my mantra, and my sister and cousin too, since we were kids, but moving back to my hometown this year really gave it some punch. Laughing with old friends about my cringy 14-year-old mistakes made me realize how little they matter now—honestly, I just want to take that girl out to lunch, give her a hug, and tell her she’ll be just fine.
15. If someone hurts you, let it hurt.
If someone hurts you, let it hurt. Don’t try to shove it down or make excuses for it. You’re not overreacting, you’re not being dramatic, and you never have to apologize for your feelings, so feel those messy, wild emotions and let yourself heal.
16. Read a book!!
I’ve read 44 books (and counting!) since April, and let me tell you, it’s been a total game changer. Not only has it expanded my mind, it’s also given me a break from screens and stress plus it’s the perfect way to keep your brain on point!
17. The kindness you put into the world will always come back to you.
Kindness and good vibes might not pay off instantly, but trust me, they’re out there working their magic. What you give comes back around when you least expect it and usually when you need it most!
18. Hold yourself accountable while also giving yourself grace.
Taking responsibility is how you grow, but let’s be real, nobody has time for a pity party. Own your slip-ups, learn from them, and then dust yourself off and keep it moving because you deserve kindness too!
19. Being friendly doesn’t always mean someone is nice, and not being friendly doesn’t mean someone isn’t nice.
People show kindness in all sorts of ways, so pay attention to their actions and how they treat others instead of jumping to conclusions. But let’s be real, trust your gut. If someone’s giving bad vibes or acting shady, cut them loose. Miserable energy is staying behind in 2024 where it belongs.
20. Protect your own peace.
Not everyone deserves access to your energy, and it is okay to set boundaries that keep your vibe intact. Choose what and who you allow into your space, because your peace is priceless.
21. Most of your stress comes from how you react to life, not from life itself.
Life will throw curveballs, but your reaction decides if it’s a plot twist or a meltdown. Take a beat, adjust your crown, and handle it like the boss you are.
22. Trust your intuition!!
If something feels off, it probably is. If something doesn’t feel quite right, trust that it isn’t. If you’re picking up strange vibes and feel like you shouldn’t trust someone, don’t ignore it. Your intuition always tells the truth.
23. Happiness is a choice.
Stop waiting for happiness to magically show up; take control and decide to show up for yourself. Life’s too short to sit around hoping for a good mood; choose happiness and watch how quickly things start to shift.
24. The only thing that’s constant is change.
Being 24 means living in the chaotic beauty of figuring it all out and realizing that one day, this stage will be just a memory. Whether you're 20 like my sister, 80 like my Grammy, or older or younger or anywhere in between, your future starts now and if there’s one thing I’ve learned this year, it’s that change is inevitable, but some change is exactly what we need.
