It’s incredible how quickly time passes. A year can feel like a fleeting moment, yet we can learn so much about ourselves, our ambitions, and the world around us in that short span. For instance, I am writing this blog post after more than a year, and that too when I thought I would not be writing anything again. But writing a blog, then leaving it on hold for such a long time and doing a lot of other things has taught me a lot. Looking back on the past year, I’ve gathered several valuable life lessons that have shaped me and helped me grow personally and professionally. Here’s a reflection on those life lessons and their impact on my journey.
I was in HNLU during this time last year, pursuing my master’s in corporate law. and so much has changed since then. The thing about change is that change is inevitable. Whether it’s a shift in your career, relationships, or personal goals, life constantly throws new challenges our way, and that is what makes life so interesting. What I’ve learned is that change, no matter how difficult it seems at first, often leads to growth. In the last year, I took some big steps towards my life, for example, pursuing an LLM and working constantly for a month on my YouTube channel or on lawereness. But embracing the discomfort and uncertainty allowed me to discover new strengths and opportunities. Change is often the gateway to something better; all we need to do is trust the process. The reason I am saying this is because if I hadn’t done all that, I would have missed out on a lot in life, and embracing those changes and working on what I wanted really made me feel better.
The second thing that I learnt is that persistence is the key to success. Even though I learnt this, I was unable to strictly follow it. Seeing people around me get successful, hearing their experiences, and experiencing for myself that if you want something and you are consistent on it, giving a little bit more than yesterday can be very impactful. It’s easy to get disheartened when things don’t go as planned. I’ve faced countless setbacks while working towards my goals, and there were moments I questioned if I was on the right path. But one lesson I’ve learned is that perseverance is the most powerful tool in our arsenal. Whether it’s the ups and downs of building a brand or the slow grind of building relationships, sticking with it through the rough patches makes all the difference. The year taught me that even small, consistent efforts accumulate into substantial progress. I am saying this because last year I was consistent on my YouTube channel, and it gave me results. Though the results were not immediate but making a video every day for a month changed the shape of my channel, and that is something that made me grow. There were many moments when I questioned my decisions and whether my efforts would bear fruit. But now I’ve learned that success doesn’t happen overnight—it takes time, persistence, and resilience. Even when things seemed slow or uncertain, sticking with my goals has paid off more than I ever thought possible.
The third thing that I found important is that one must have a strong support system. We often hear the phrase “you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with,” and I now see the truth in it. The past year has shown me how essential it is to surround yourself with people who uplift, challenge, and inspire you. I’ve had the opportunity to meet some really amazing people at HNLU and online, and it gave me a better insight into how people think and why they do what they do. But I learnt that surrounding yourself with good people really does make a difference. Sometimes, it’s not about doing everything on your own but learning to lean on others when needed. From friends to mentors to collaborators, the support system I’ve built has been invaluable. They’ve helped me navigate tough times, offered guidance, and celebrated the small wins. In a world that sometimes feels isolating, having a network of people who believe in you makes all the difference.
Apart from that I also learnt that one should not be afraid of failure, as it is a part of the process. Failure is often seen as something to be avoided at all costs. However, over the past year, I’ve come to realize that failure is an essential part of success. It’s through our failures that we learn, adapt, and improve. In the pursuit of big dreams, I’ve faced many roadblocks and made mistakes. However, this year has taught me that failure is not something to be ashamed of; it’s a necessary part of the journey. Every setback has taught me lessons that have made me better equipped for future challenges. I’ve learned to embrace failure, not as an end but as a stepping stone to greater success. It’s through failure that we truly learn and grow.
As someone with ambitious goals, I’ve often found myself prioritizing work over personal well-being. But this past year has taught me that neglecting self-care can lead to burnout and decreased productivity. Taking care of my mental and physical health has now become a priority. I have spent most of my time being sick and less productive. Not just that, burning myself also impacted my performance to a large extent, especially during exams. However, I’ve come to realize that self-care is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. Taking time to rest, reflect, and recharge has made me more productive, creative, and focused. I have now realized that without prioritizing my mental and physical health, none of my dreams would be achievable in the long run. I hope this becomes one of the most important life lessons and sticks with me throughout my life.
Not just that, I’ve also learnt the importance of celebrating small wins. Without some happiness, life is just depressing. The reason most of our generation is depressed is due to the fact that we all want to win early and without a lot of hard work. We are so focused on results that we have forgotten all about the process, and that is the worst mistake one could make. We often focus so much on the bigger picture that we forget to celebrate the small milestones. This year, I’ve learned to take a moment to appreciate every step forward, no matter how small it seems. Whether it was growing my audience on social media, completing a college project, or simply making it through a tough week, these small victories are what keep us going. Life is made up of tiny moments of success, and celebrating them is essential to staying motivated.
And finally, I learnt that the most important thing in life is staying true to oneself. Perhaps being authentic is one of the most important things I learnt in my life so far. With so many external pressures and opinions, it’s easy to lose sight of your authentic self. However, I’ve come to understand that success, happiness, and fulfillment come from aligning your actions with your core values. The more I stay true to myself and my vision, the more I attract the right opportunities and people into my life. Without authenticity, achievements are not meaningful, and therefore I can say that authenticity is the foundation of all meaningful achievements and it has become one of the most important life lessons for me.
Reflecting on the past year has been both humbling and empowering. I’ve learned so much—about resilience, growth, and the importance of trusting the journey, even when it’s tough. Life will always throw challenges our way, but it’s how we respond to them that shapes our story. As I move forward, I carry these life lessons with me, knowing they will continue to guide me on my path.