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i turn 26 years old today, halfway to unc status and completing half of my twenties. it's just a change in number but a big change in my life and mindset, here are 26 things i think about, wish i knew before, and i've learned along the way:

• over empathize
• competition is equally crucial but detrimental; focus on your own path & journey
• never underestimate anything or anyone
• just do things
• caring === higher quality outcomes
• take context into consideration when you're given advice
• knowledge is power but ignorance can be wielded equally
• consumption feels good but is paid for by your brain; be mindful of how you balance consumption & creation
• prioritize people and nurture relationships, this creates a lasting culture
• stay curious
• don't get comfortable or complacent
• life is of tradeoffs
• losing is inevitable; it's important to back/move forward
• butterflies in your stomach is a good thing
• people are stupid, learn from others and grow
• show more humanity and emotion
• neglect deprioritizing sleep
• make decisions: one-way or two-way
• don't be afraid to be wrong and voice/own up to it publicly
• think briefly before acting, be logical and consider edge cases
• shocking yourself with how good you can really be is a great feeling
• change is unavoidable, both inside & out
• no matter what people way, it's never too late
• subtleties make a difference
• be grateful for everything; someone always has it worse than you
• attention is your most valuable asset, use it purposefully

you'll notice that this is a bulleted list rather than a numbered list; this was intentional. each of these carry equal weight to me and i felt like one shouldn't be prioritized over another.

life is precious and full of ups and downs, i found the best way to live is to go with the flow; don't think too much and don't take anything too personally. empathize, iterate on personal growth, and enjoy life for what it is: beautiful.

cheers to learning even more lessons going forward 🥂