All I Did At School Was Studying, I Wish I Paid Attention to These 10 Things Too

Reading the book "Ego is the Enemy" by Ryan Holiday made me realize that I had been taking things too personally. I am an event planner and team building host in Berlin, I always knew that my strengths were communication, writing, and design. I never got the chance to explore them because I was too busy studying other things.

Emotional awareness is not always easy to develop. This is something that should be taught during early stages of life. Growing up, my family, my school and the surrounding society placed a strong emphasis on education. And what education was for them? Education for them was just memorizing textbooks and writing the exams to score high. 

As I live life more and more, and I have lived some years as an adult away from my parents across different continents, figuring out life by myself, I often think that if these things were also given consideration in my education.

While I spent my early years impressing my parents, family, and society, I now realize that academic education alone is not enough. These skills are equally important, if not more:

Communication

My habit of making conversation with strangers and taking interest in knowing people was never appreciated. 

Even though I was a top scorer, I was constantly compared to my quieter classmates and siblings who were hailed as more sincere and studious. Nevertheless, I firmly believe that being a communicator doesn't diminish one's sincerity or diligence. In fact, I think that the ability to communicate with the people around us is essential for success in all spheres of life.

Communication helps us to share our ideas and thoughts. My father is an excellent communicator, and I am fortunate to have secretly inherited this skill from him.

Often when you are traveling and are alone, especially in my field of work as a corporate event planner. Without the skill of communication, I couldn't imagine fulfilling my responsibilities. The version of me that society expected would struggle in this role.

Book Recommendations:

The Art of People

Growing up, spending time with friends and family was never a priority. However, when I entered real life, I realized the importance of building relationships and interacting with others.

In both my work and personal life, there is no skill more valuable than knowing how to deal with people. It's essential to practice radical acceptance, confront management issues, and be kind and patient with those around us.

Navigating through the delicate emotions of others is the single most crucial skill in today's world. Life revolves around building relationships, empathizing with others, being patient, and accepting them wholly. Regardless of the context, people skills are essential in every aspect of life, whether it's work or personal.

For me, relationships are the most important part of life. Building meaningful connections and feeling comfortable around strangers can be challenging, however it's essential to navigate through life as we need to stay, live and grow around people.

Book Recommendations:

Looking Your Best

 

Spring has sprung with these beautiful pink flowers!

 

The thrill of mixing and matching existing pieces to create new, unique outfits always drew younger me.

And of course, I don’t remember a single person who had appreciated it, as no one was grading how we were dressing up. Today many people do appreciate and notice my sense of dressing.

Knowing what looks good on you is important, and dressing well can boost your confidence. Fashion is an art form, and for some, it's a source of joy and creativity. I believe in expressing oneself through clothing, without putting others down for their fashion choices. As for me, I keep my style minimalistic and enjoy the process.

I was taught to belittle my desire to look good for years until my partner came along. He doesn’t shy away from booking me a makeup course such as the Masterclass on Dressing Sense by Tan France.  

Book Recommendations:

Healthy Relationship with Money

I never received a monthly allowance in childhood, and money was somehow made look negative. However, I learned that having a healthy relationship with money is crucial. 

Money is a tool, not a vice, and knowing how to manage finances is an essential life skill. Listening to successful entrepreneurs like Warren Buffett, Jeff Bezos helped me understand this better. 

Money is an inseparable part of life. Today, I talk openly about money at work and don't feel guilty about charging my share. Although I still have my moments of struggle, I have a much better relationship with money.

However, it's true that having money doesn't guarantee happiness, however this concept is applicable and is true for all the other sectors of life.

Book Recommendations:

Understanding Your Food 

 

Fueling up with a balanced meal of vegetables, lentils, and flatbread

 

Knowing your food and your ingredients, and how to consume a balanced diet should be a non-discountable thing for every individual to know. I get amazed that so many of us are still eating an unbalanced diet. 

My grandfather was so particular about our eating habits and the importance of a balanced diet. I learn so many things about food now and get amazed by what all I had been doing incorrectly for so many years. How many meals did I have without protein and probiotics?

Book recommendations

Reading

 

Diving into the principles of success with Ray Dalio's book

 

Reading was considered about as exciting as watching paint dry by everyone around me. We were encouraged to read, however, only if it meant good grades on our report cards. My love for reading didn't ignite until I stumbled upon the enchanting world of storybooks and graphic novels that explored the wonders of science and the universe. I would eagerly make my way to the library at every opportunity, yearning to uncover fresh tales and unlock hidden knowledge.But even then, my father would scrutinize my book choices, always on the lookout for anything he deemed "inappropriate."

Fortunately, as an adult, I've found a tribe of book lovers, including my partner and many of my closest friends. Reading can transport you to new worlds, introduce you to fascinating cultures, and challenge your perspectives in the best possible ways.

Recommendations to Act Now:

Staying Active

Sports were another thing that was never valued highly enough in my education-oriented upbringing. Since academics were the focus of our school, physical health was not given much attention, especially after we entered the ninth grade.

It's shocking to me that staying physically active was considered optional. How could it be optional?

Taking care of ourselves should be the first thing that we should be taught, and staying active is a crucial need of our bodies. We need to encourage more people to participate in sports and other physical activities to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Stress Management

During my senior secondary school years, my academic performance fell below my expectations, and I received lower grades than I had hoped for. I was devastated, and to make matters worse, my father's disappointment was palpable. His silence was deafening, and it left me questioning my very existence. 

However, my grandfather imparted some wise words to me that have stayed with me ever since - it's okay to fail. You learn to fight, and you get up and learn to fight better. I learned from my grandmother that even the bad things that happen in life are there for a reason. They can hold valuable lessons or unexpected opportunities. When things go wrong, it's important to remind yourself that life is a journey, and all the ups and downs are there for a reason. 

Stress management is a common struggle for many of us, yet it's rarely discussed throughout our education from school to university. It was only when I was studying the Bhagavad Gita transcript that I found mentions of the importance of detachment from results after putting in one's best effort. 

Spending Time in Nature

 

Spring has sprung with these beautiful pink flowers!

 

Nature wasn’t so accessible, and even if it was, it was considered “fancy”.

Spending time with nature is really prioritized in Europe more than anything else. 

I know now that we are inseparable from nature. I grew up in a desert, and spending time with nature was not a priority for anyone around me. We would spend all our days and our years just in a concrete jungle.

Another thing I've learned is the importance of having a relationship with nature. But now, I understand that it helps you to combat stress. We were always expected to do well in life, but we weren't taught how to take care of ourselves, emotionally or physically.

Travel 

While traveling is another thing that is considered “fancy” by many, I find it to be incredibly fulfilling. It opens new avenues and introduces you to new cultures. You learn to accept different people and learn about different cuisines. It's one of the best ways to broaden your horizons.

Book Recommendations:

Life is not a one-size-fits-all experience. Each of us has a distinctive path to follow, and it's essential to pursue our passions, establish meaningful relationships, and acquire skills that will contribute to a satisfying and prosperous life. 

While education is undoubtedly crucial, it's not the only factor that determines our success. Our physical and mental well-being, financial security, and personal growth are equally important. It's a continuous journey of discovery, growth, and self-improvement as we strive to become the best versions of ourselves. So, let's keep exploring and embracing new opportunities that come our way.

Connect with us on Instagram, LinkedIn,Pinterest, Youtube

Health and LifestyleNistha Trehun