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No one ever said life was going to be easy, and as we journey through it we come face-to-face with many challenges.
Some of these are easier than others while some can be overwhelming and difficult to overcome.
We owe it to ourselves to equip our minds appropriately so that when these realities come into focus, we are better prepared on how best to tackle the.
In this article, you will find 17 harsh realities of life that most people do not take the time or effort in preparing for, but must.
#1. Many Things You Don’t Like About Your Life are Your Fault
This is arguably the hardest pill to swallow.
We are the reason where we are in life, for the most part.
The choices we made resulted in our current life.
In order to change it, we need to adapt.
#2. Those Closest to You Will Pass Away
Passing away is a part of life.
Some go young, some go old.
You never know when it will happen, so it is essential you make the most of everyday you have with those closest to you.
#3. There Are Bad People In The World
Not everyone in this world is out to better themselves or the world.
Some people are looking for shortcuts, which often means taking advantage of good people.
You need to walk through life with a small amount of skepticism, questioning people’s motives.
You also need to be smart and protect yourself from harm.
While you cannot insulate yourself 100% of the time, the more you accept that bad people are out there and they might try to take from you, the better off you will be.
#4. Life Doesn’t Hand You Things
We all want a good life, but only some want to work for it.
From better jobs to better friends and everything in between, most people have to go out and ask for the things they want.
More importantly, they must do all the work that comes before to reap the benefits.
No matter what your goals may be, remember that it’s what you do that’s critical to your success.
#5. Life Will Never Be Perfect
Don’t spend your life trying to attain the perfect life that advertisers sell you.
That life is made up of fantasies, not reality.
If you go through life trying for perfection, you will miss out on many great things you have in your life.
Remember to take the time to appreciate everything you have in life.
There is a good chance you have it better than most people, so even though your life isn’t perfect in your mind, to someone who is struggling, your life could be a dream come true for them.
#6. Plans Get Derailed Frequently
Another life lesson worth mentioning is that life plans can change in a matter of seconds.
New developments crop up frequently, requiring you to switch goals and habits instantaneously.
However, it doesn’t always have to be a bad thing.
As one person said, “The beautiful thing about plans changing is they can lead you to wonderous places you never expected to be, with people you never expected to meet. Every journey has its final day. Don’t rush. Stop and smell the roses. Take a walk once in a while. Order some nice food. You deserve it.”
#7. The Grass Isn’t Always Greener On The Other Side
Sometimes we find ourselves gazing longingly at what someone else has, thinking they have it all together and that everything must be perfect for them.
But the truth is, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
It’s easy to get caught up in comparing ourselves to others and thinking we’re missing out, but we often overlook the struggles and challenges that they may be facing.
It’s important to remember that everyone has their own journey and that what works for someone else won’t necessarily work for us.
Instead of focusing on what we don’t have, let’s appreciate what we do and work towards our unique goals and aspirations.
The grass may seem greener, but it’s just a different shade of green.
#8. Not All Relationships Will Last
Whether friendships, familial relationships, or even relationships with partners, not everyone we connect with will be in our lives forever.
Sometimes, there’s a falling out. Other times, there’s simply a rift that grows with space and time.
No matter what it is, take lessons from those relationships and apply them to your future ones to develop more successful bonds with others.
#9. Bad Things Can Happen As A Result Of Your Actions
Taking responsibility isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.
For those who are followed by misfortune, it is worth looking inward and asking some serious questions.
One tough pill to swallow is that bad things sometimes happen to us because we’ve done something to prompt these consequences.
Everything has consequences, whether good or bad.
Take some time to ask yourself what you’re doing and whether or not what is happening to you might be related to your earlier choices.
#10. You Won’t Always Get Closure
Life is full of uncertainties, and whether we like it or not, we won’t always get closure for every situation.
It’s tough to accept that the resolution we crave may not come, despite our best efforts.
The reality is people may not always have the desire or ability to offer closure, even when it seems like a simple request.
It’s frustrating, but we must learn to accept that sometimes we won’t get the answers we’re looking for.
We must remember that closure is not always necessary to move on with our lives.
We can still find peace and acceptance within ourselves, even when outside circumstances leave us feeling incomplete.
#11. Good Things Happen To Bad People
Some people like to adhere to a karmic, lawful view of the world where everything works out for the better.
However, this isn’t always the case.
Sometimes, objectively bad people or people we perceive as bad win regardless.
As one person said, “Bad people win frequently. Some people in leadership position are not good leaders. Some who are not in leadership are good leaders. People will take advantage of your hard work. Many people get to where they are because of nepotism.”
So what do you do? You always work hard at doing the right thing and know that sometimes, bad things will happen.
#12. You Can’t Go Back And Change The Past
Once things are done, they can’t be undone.
Thinking about what you want to do before you do it is essential to navigating life successfully.
As one person stated, “Some bells can’t be unrung. And you have to live with the fallout from decisions you made and things you did when you didn’t know this fact.”
The best thing you can do is be patient and think through your decisions before making them. While this won’t guarantee a positive result every time, it will result in fewer regrets down the road.
#13. Life Goes By So Fast
Life goes by in the blink of an eye, even if it seems we have a lot of time left.
One person responded, “I am also nearing 40 and I just lost my mom to lung cancer earlier this month. I thought I would have more time to call more often. I thought I would have more time to see her before her cancer got too bad. A few years ago she seemed fine. Slowly, health issues increased. Then the cancer. Then she was gone. My point is, you could have 15 more years, you could have less than a year.”
#14. Even If Something Is Not Your Fault, It May Still Be Your Responsibility
Sometimes, life deals us a hand that we have no control over.
However, we do have a choice about what we do with it.
One example of this is mental health. If you have an addiction disorder or a mood disorder like depression, it’s not your fault.
However, it is your responsibility to make sure that you’re doing what you need to do to take care of yourself and prevent anyone from dealing with the harmful impact that symptoms may present.
#15. You Can Only Control Yourself And Your Actions
It’s a tough pill to swallow, but the truth is that we can only control ourselves and our actions in life.
As much as we may want to take charge of someone else’s decisions or change the outcome of a situation we’re in, we don’t have that power.
It can sometimes be frustrating and overwhelming, especially when we feel like we’re at the mercy of outside forces.
However, it’s important to remember that we have control over how we respond to those situations.
We can choose to let them defeat us, or we can choose to rise above them and make the best of what we can control.
The key is to focus on what’s in our power and find ways to make the most of it.
That way, even if life throws us a curveball, we can maintain our sense of agency and keep moving forward.
#16. Bad Days Will Happen
As hard as it is to admit, we will have bad days in life.
Everything might be smooth sailing, and then unexpectedly, we encounter a terrible day that throws us into a tailspin.
On those tough days, it’s important to remember that they won’t last forever.
Acknowledge your feelings and give yourself permission to feel them.
Talk to a friend, do a hobby, or treat yourself to something you love.
Sometimes, stepping back and refocusing our energy can make a world of difference.
#17. Relationships Are A Two Way Street
Relationships are not a one-way street. It takes two people to make it work.
No matter what kind of relationship it is, whether romantic or platonic, it’s important to remember that effort needs to be put in by both people.
So even if you put 100% effort into making things work, it might end because the other person isn’t giving it their all.
Remember that communication is critical in any relationship, which means both parties must actively participate.
The best relationships are the ones where both people are willing to give, take, and compromise to make things work.
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Jon Dulin is the passionate leader of Unfinished Success, a personal development website that inspires people to take control of their own lives and reach their full potential. His commitment to helping others achieve greatness shines through in everything he does. He’s an unstoppable force with lots of wisdom, creativity, and enthusiasm – all focused on helping others build a better future. Jon enjoys writing articles about productivity, goal setting, self-development, and mindset. He also uses quotes and affirmations to help motivate and inspire himself. You can learn more about him on his About page.