#ThoughtfulThursday – Things I wish I’d known when I was younger
Throughout the grind of our lives it's difficult to take a step back and look at what's most important.
For those who’ve already been through it all and can now take a break in their old age, it’s easy to see what they’ve missed out on when they were younger.
Here are a few things that the elderly wish they had known and done when they were young.
1. I wish I’d believed more in what I could do
Many people entering into their twilight years say they wish they’d had more confidence in themselves when they were younger. Too many hours were spent worrying about something that had to be done, never really accepting that they had all the skill they needed to complete any project with great success. The time that could be gained if you just stop stressing and just do what you do best is time that could be better spent with loved ones. That brings us to the second point …
2. I wish I’d known how important my family was
In this rushed world we live in, it’s all too easy to forget about the ones we love and spend way too much time on work. When it’s time to leave work behind, people often realise that their jobs really weren’t all that important in the end, but that the time they missed with family and friends was. There’s so much to be gained from loved ones; so much support, knowledge and just a helping hand. Time spent with the ones most important to you can actually help you cope better with the stress of work, and make you a better person altogether.
3. Technology is important
This might be an obvious one for the younger generations, but keeping up with advancements in technology and the internet is of the utmost importance. Many of the elderly wish they could understand what is going on with the new technology of the day. Life gets very difficult when everyone around you is moving at the speed of light online, and you don’t understand any of what’s going on. Never stop learning about new innovations, because you will always be able to use them in the future.
4. Don’t be impatient with monotonous work
One thing the older generation did far better than the younger ones was to take things slow, focus on the little things and work their hardest at things that may seem insignificant at the time. These little things, no matter how small, build up over time. Little bits of knowledge form something much larger over the years, supplying you with the wisdom that older people are so well known for. Climbing the ladder to success is done one tiny step at a time.
5. I wish I’d slept more
Working later and later hours as you get older might seem like the way to success, but might just be the reason why you can’t make it for another day after a few years. If there’s one thing that older people can agree on is that they wish they’d got to bed earlier at night so that they could be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed the next day. The world seems so much brighter when you’re not too tired all the time to lift your head and have a look around.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at krugersdorpnews@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
