By Lovlyn
No matter how perfect your 2025 might have seemed, every experience, joyful or challenging, has taught you something. While you’re counting your wins and acknowledging your setbacks, take a moment to also recognize the lessons hidden in every experience.
Now, lessons aren’t just reminders of missteps or setbacks, as many often assume. People usually associate lessons with moments when things went wrong, but they can also be the insights we gather along our journey, whether subtle or profound, that guide us toward growth.
Perhaps the lesson you might have learned in the previous year was learning the value of patience from a project that tested your limits, or realizing the importance of setting boundaries after going through a challenging relationship.
Each of these moments carries a lesson, waiting for you to recognize it.
25 Lessons From My 2025 That Can Make You Better
I’ve spent time reflecting on the lessons I learned, and I want to share them with you, not because I have it all figured out, but because I believe there’s something in these lessons you can take with you into this new year.
Ultimately, if even one of them helps you grow, think differently, or move forward with more clarity, then they’ve done their job.
1. If you don’t want to do something because it will take too much time, you’ll regret not doing it, so just do it.
There was something I wanted to do at the end of 2024, but I told myself I’d take my time and didn’t do it. Guess what? By the end of 2025, I regretted not doing it because time still passed, obviously.
2. You can create something out of nothing.
Sometimes we think we need all the resources, all the support, and all the comfort before we can make something meaningful. However, what you may not realize is that discomfort often pushes you to create something that comfort never would.
3. Giving your all doesn’t always mean it will work.
Even if you pour your energy into something, some things simply won’t work. It doesn’t mean you’re bad at it; some things are just beyond your control.
4. If your excuse for not doing something is lack of money, five years from now, you might still have that same excuse.
Focus on what you can do, no matter how much or how little money you have.
5. Instead of worrying about what you don’t have, channel that energy into action. Worrying has never produced better results. Take steps, however small, that move you forward.
6. No matter how discouraged or close to your limit you feel, don’t give up on yourself. The moment you give up on yourself, you’ve lost the fight. Re-strategize, re-plan, but don’t quit.
7. When you have the opportunity to do something, do it well. You never know who is watching. Interestingly, I’ve had people send me direct messages or reach out telling me “well done” for work I thought went unnoticed. Mind you, I had never seen them engage with my posts before.
8. Always aspire to be better.
There’s nothing more you can wish for yourself than to wake up every day determined to grow and improve.
9. Worry less, prepare more.
Most things we fear never actually happen. If you have an exam, don’t waste energy worrying about failing; prepare for it instead.
10. You are not obligated to follow anyone on social media.
If someone’s posts don’t inspire you or teach you anything, unfollow them. Protect your mental space.
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11. If you want something, go get it yourself.
In other words, if you’re asking the person next to you to grab something on the table for you and they feel reluctant, get up and go get it yourself. (I don’t mean literally; think of this in terms of your life.)
12. Do what makes you happy.
Focus on what fulfils you, not what others expect from you. If you try to live up to everyone else’s expectations, you’ll always fall short, no matter how hard you try. Instead, do what makes you better and happier.
13. Sometimes, you’re not the problem, your environment is.
There are environments that make the seeds you’re planting hard to germinate. Recognize when it’s not you, it’s the space around you.
14. You have the power to change your life.
Small actions today can create big results. You don’t have to wait for an opportunity or a miracle helper; start making changes yourself.
15. Keep sowing your seeds. Some results take time. Bamboo, for instance, takes about five years to grow underground before it even appears above the soil, but when it grows, it grows tall and strong. So, just because you’re not seeing growth today doesn’t mean there won’t be growth tomorrow. Keep planting and keep nurturing.
16. Impact isn’t about time spent, it’s about depth.
Someone can be in your life for a long time but have little impact. Meanwhile, someone can enter your life briefly and leave a mark you’ll never forget.
17. Love is expressed in many ways.
People may express love differently, and sometimes in unhealthy ways. Learn to recognize the difference, it will save you from unnecessary hurt and help you appreciate genuine care.
18. Looking good boosts confidence.
When you’re feeling shy, insecure, or unsure, dressing well can instantly lift your confidence. Even a small effort to look your best for an event or meeting can shift how you feel about yourself and how others perceive you.
19. Desire isn’t always alignment.
Just because you want something doesn’t mean it’s the best thing for you. Some desires can hurt you in ways you don’t anticipate. Therefore, learn to pause, reflect, and evaluate before pursuing them blindly.
20. Normal isn’t always healthy.
Some things we call normal aren’t actually normal. For instance, accepting cheating or abuse in a relationship as “just how it is” isn’t healthy; it’s damaging. Don’t let societal or peer norms define what’s acceptable for your well-being.
21. Money doesn’t always follow effort.
In reality, the money you make is independent of how hard you work. Sometimes it’s not about working harder, it’s about working smarter. Learn to recognize when to put in effort, when to strategize, or when to do both.
22. I call myself the “Lazy Hard Worker”. You can work hard, achieve a lot, and be productive without burning out or sacrificing your mental peace and physical health. Find balance in your effort and protect your well-being while pursuing your goals.
23. Collaboration requires awareness.
When you’re working on a project with someone else, the workload might not always be 50–50. There may be situations where you do most of the work while others take credit. Hence, be mindful of this, set boundaries, and ensure contributions are recognized fairly.
24. Always be grateful.
No matter how challenging or terrible your situation seems, there is always something to be grateful for, you just have to look for it. Gratitude shifts perspective and fuels resilience.
25. Surround yourself with inspiring people.
Surround yourself with friends and colleagues who are committed to growth, positivity, and continuous learning. The company you keep can elevate your mindset, push you toward better habits, and inspire you to reach your potential.
Conclusion
There are definitely more than 25 lessons I learned in 2025, but I’ll just leave it at 25. I hope you get to pick something from this list, even if it’s just one lesson and use it to guide your decisions, actions, or mindset in the new year.
And if you didn’t pay attention to the lessons you learned in 2025, make sure you take note of the lessons you learn during 2026, as it will help your plans and choices be even better.
So, I’m curious, what lessons did you learn in 2025? Share them in the comments so we can all learn from each other.
RECOMMENDATION
If you need help or know someone with their mental health or mental illness, check out the resource page for mental health resources.
