Life Skills Nobody Actually Taught Us

They never taught us how to live. We’re taught the rules of grammar, the theorems of math, and the dates of history. We’re prepped for exams, careers, and the theoretical world. Yet, when the real world hits, many of us just don’t know what to do. A year ago, I did argue that schooling can sometimes hinder education.

Schools focus on getting good grades and getting a degree, but they don’t teach us how to actually live. It’s like they take all these unique kids and try to squash them into the same mold. Imagine if schools actually helped kids find their strengths instead, like letting them explore art, music, and sports alongside math and science. Wouldn’t that be amazing?

Unfortunately, most of our schools were pretty traditional. We just studied from books and took tests. The real lessons came later, from dealing with life’s ups and downs. I learned how to keep going when things get tough, to understand other people’s feelings, and to bounce back from problems. It took a lot of work, although, I’m still figuring out who I am and what I want. I’m still learning the essential life skills that nobody actually taught me.

The science behind learning life skills is fascinating. Human brains are incredible, they’re always changing and growing, especially when we learn new things. The more we practice something, the better we get at it. That’s why it’s important to learn life skills early on when our brains are most flexible.

Life skills help us feel good and build strong relationships. They make us smarter about making choices and dealing with stress. Basically, life skills are the building blocks for a happy and successful life.

So, here are a few life skills that nobody actually taught us, I think:

1. There’s a Difference Between Being Alone and Being Lonely

A few years back I had a conversation with one of my long-lost friends. It was around 9 years since we saw each other. We talked for a while and the story he told me upset my mind. Within these years he’s gone through a lot. In between the conversation he controlled his tears and said:

“Being Lonely is the worst thing in anyone’s life. It feels like you’re drowning in an ocean of your own self-judgment and hate and every time you pull yourself up to breathe, another wave washes over you. There are a lot of people around you but yet no one holds your hand to bring you to the shore.”

That conversation stuck with me, and it made me realize that I had been confusing being alone with being lonely for a long time. I had thought that being alone meant being lonely, but my friend’s words made me see the difference. Being alone is a state of physical solitude, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re feeling sad or disconnected. You can be alone and still feel fulfilled, content, and even happy.

On the other hand, loneliness is an emotional state of feeling disconnected, isolated, and unheard. You can be surrounded by people and still feel lonely, just like my friend described. It’s a feeling of being adrift, without a sense of belonging or support.

2. It is Good to Leave Your Comfort Zone

When you find your comfort zone, and stay so long within that, you might be missing something. That cozy little bubble where everything feels familiar and safe? Yeah, it’s great to hang out there sometimes, but the thing is, it can also get pretty limiting. I mean, think about it – if you never leave your comfort zone, you’ll never really know what you’re capable of.

Now, I’m not saying you should constantly be pushing yourself to the edge (although let’s be real, sometimes that’s necessary too). But what I am saying is that finding a balance between comfort and discomfort is key. It’s like, you need a little bit of both to really grow and learn.

Some people are lucky enough to grow up trying lots of different things. But for most of us, we gotta push ourselves a bit to step outside our comfort zones. It can be scary, but it’s also where the fun and growth happen. So, don’t be afraid to get a little uncomfortable. It’s okay to feel scared or nervous – that’s just your comfort zone trying to hold you back.

3. Use Your Leisure to Create, Not Conceal

Tell me, how do you usually spend your leisure time? A lot of us use that time to chill out and forget about our daily grind. That’s totally fine! But, what if we could use that time to actually build the kind of life we want? For example, if you’re stuck in a corporate job but want to be a writer, maybe spend your evenings writing or taking a writing course or perhaps start writing a book. It might not feel like much at first, but small steps can lead to big changes.

The point is, your leisure time is precious. Don’t just use it to escape the present – use it to build the life you want.

4. Procrastination Isn’t Always a Bad Thing

Procrastination is usually seen as a bad thing, but in my opinion, it isn’t. Procrastination isn’t always a productivity killer. In fact, it can be a useful tool…if you use it intentionally. Think about it, sometimes putting things off can help you focus on what really matters.

It’s okay to leave some tasks for tomorrow if it means you’re tackling the important stuff today. So, don’t beat yourself up over not getting everything done. Just prioritize, focus, and use procrastination to your advantage. It’s all about balance.

I highly recommend you read this: Procrastination Isn’t Always a Bad Thing

5. Advice is just Advice

Everyone’s got advice, right? We’ve all been there – someone’s telling us what to do, and we’re like, “Okay, got it”. But the thing is: advice is just advice. It’s based on someone else’s experiences and might not work for you. That’s because we’re all unique, with different situations and stages of life.

So, take advice for what it is – a perspective. Listen, consider, and then decide what works best for you. Don’t feel pressured to follow someone else’s path just because it worked for them. You do you.

6. Money Can Buy You Happiness

Okay, I know this is a hot topic and many of you would disagree. The fact is, money can actually bring happiness, but it’s all about what you use it for. If you know what makes you happy, money can help you get those things. It’s not about being rich, but about covering your basics and enjoying some extras.

Think about it, money can buy experiences, memories, and moments that make life worth living. It’s not the only thing that matters, but it can definitely contribute to happiness. So, those who say “money is just a scum of hand”, Perhaps are either rich or haven’t faced the harsh reality of the world yet.

If you still don’t believe money can buy you happiness, you can read my personal story and thoughts here: Money Really Can Buy You Happiness!

7. You Might Be Smarter Than You Think

It’s funny how it works, right? People who aren’t so smart often think they’re geniuses, while the really smart ones doubt themselves. It’s like the opposite of what you’d expect. Sometimes, smart people think, “If it’s easy for me, it must be easy for everyone else.” But that’s just not true.

This is called the Dunning-Kruger effect, basically, it means that people who don’t know much tend to overestimate their abilities, while those who know a lot tend to underestimate theirs. So, next time you’re feeling unsure about yourself, remember: you might be smarter than you think.

8. Prioritise Family & Me Time

It’s awesome to be good at your job, but don’t forget about the people who matter most – your family! Balancing work and family life is tough, but it’s super important. So, while it’s great to be productive, make sure you’re also making time for the people you love and for yourself. After all, what’s the point of all that hard work if you can’t enjoy it with your family?

9. Write Every Day

Everyone’s got stories to tell. Writing is a great way to get those ideas out of your head and onto paper. It’s like exercising your brain and letting your imagination run wild. It is one of those life skills that I admire deeply. Don’t worry about making sense or being perfect, just let your imagination run wild. You might be surprised at what you come up with.

If you do not already know, it is scientifically proven that writing affects how your brain works. I’ve been writing for over 4 years and after writing several articles or blogs I have a positive outlook and a kinda divergent perspective of seeing the situation.

10. Saying Sorry is a Strength, Not a Weakness

Saying sorry isn’t about being wrong, it’s about caring more about the person than your pride. A simple “sorry” can save a relationship. So, swallow your ego and give it a try. If you never try you’ll never know how a sincere apology with a smile can work wonders.

Must Read This Story: Ego Psychology & Importance of Saying Sorry

11. Balance is Beautiful

Want to know the secret to a happy life? It’s all about balance. Just like a perfect recipe, you need a dash of everything in moderation. Not too much, not too little – just the right amount. Whether it’s work, play, exercise, relationships, or even laughter and happiness, all you need is just find that sweet spot. So, enjoy everything in moderation and live your best life.

12. Know the Significance of the Word ‘Life’

Life is actually pretty incredible if you just sit for a while and think about it. Like, really stopped to think about it? You’ll perhaps realize how rare and beautiful it is to even exist. There’s so much beauty and wonder in the world, from tiny flowers to distant galaxies.

It’s a crazy, beautiful adventure, and we’re lucky to be a part of it. I’ve spent countless nights staring through my telescope, and it just blows my mind. Only my telescope and I know how many wonders we’ve seen together. To be honest, it isn’t even a life skill but more of a self-awakening one.

13. It’s Ok to Talk Less

It’s OK to talk less, I’m an introvert but I know the where, what and how of talks. So it isn’t any shortcoming.

14. Socially Awkwardness Doesn’t Mean You’re Mad

There’s nothing wrong with being socially awkward. In fact, It is awesome. No one is perfect, it’s an illusion. People who behave differently don’t aim for perfection in a public place, they don’t focus too much on how to stand, how to walk perfectly, how to talk, how to sit, etc. They just strive for excellence for what they are more curious about. And, I think it’s a good thing to do.

Life’s a wild adventure, and we’re all just figuring it out as we go. Remember, it’s okay to not have all the answers. The journey is as important as the destination.

So, tell me what life skills would you add to this list?

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