Here are 17 lessons that I wish I knew when I was 20, now that I’m 30.

Number 12 really resonated with me the most 👇

1. Health compounds. Your body isn’t a backup plan, it’s the foundation. Sleepless nights, junk diets, hangovers get harder and harder to deal with.

2. Sleep is not optional. Energy, growth, regeneration and sanity come from rest.

3. Time counts more than money. Everything you wasted on distractions you can’t get back.

4. Don’t treat friendships like transactions. People change, distance increases & effort matters.

5. Emotional health matters more than appearances and saying yes. Silence the ego; listen to yourself.

6. Save and invest early: not just money, but time, energy, relationships.

7. When investing and experiencing life: learn to adapt. Markets shift. Trends die. So do socialising. Don’t be stuck chasing old winners or trying to live through memories you experienced 5 years ago.

8. Long-term thinking beats quick wins. Short-term hype will burn you out.

9. Diversify: in friendships, habits, income streams, mindset.

10. Confidence doesn’t come from loud opinions, it comes from calm clarity and wisdom.

11. Your 20s prepare you - so take some risks. Your 30s challenge you and can set you up for the rest of your life. Use what you learned.

12. Don’t compare chapters. Your past, others stories, future plans, everything moves on its own clock (this was the big one for me).

13. Mental health is real. Don’t ignore those quiet alarms inside. It's okay to ask for help and to check in on friends and family.

14. Build habits when no one’s watching. That’s where integrity lives.

15. Learn to say no. Not everything is worth saying yes.

16. Value experiences over materialised items. Today’s experiences will be tomorrow’s memories.

17. Invest in relationships (family, friends, mentors) they pay dividends when chaos hits. It's okay to listen, to learn and to be wrong.