When we’re teenagers, we often think we know everything. Then, as we get older and have to start adulting, we can realize that we don’t have it all figured out. By our 40s, we’ve learned a thing or two that it would’ve been nice to know when we were younger. 

On Twitter, multiple people jumped at the chance to answer the following question: “List 3 things you believe strongly in your 40’s you didn’t quite understand in your 30’s?”

There were many nuggets of wisdom from people 40+ that those of us who are in our 20s or 30s should take to heart. Here are our favorite pieces of advice.

1. Time is more important than moneyValue isn’t the same as priceMy time with my kids is finite

   — Matthew Cochrane (@FoolMCochrane) February 8, 2020

2. 1) family is the most important thing in the world and your time is limited 2) Heath and maintaining health is crucial 3) people who don’t love you should be avoided at all costs

   — Hannah Kirchner (@HannahKaye) February 9, 2020

3. Time is the only thing we have. Get to know and do things with good people who spread joy. Experience > things.

   — W. Christine C (@wchristinec) February 9, 2020

4. 1) Most people aren’t your true friends. Those are very, very rare. 2) Working from home > commuting every day. 3) “Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.” — Alexander Pope

   — Rob Watson (@webidextrous) February 9, 2020

5. 1) when 2 people REALLY love each other you will know2) real happiness is more than what you do or how much you earn3) people let you down – don’t be one of them

   — The Acoustic Egg Box (@IanPople1) February 9, 2020

6. 1. Empathy is everything2. Time is moving 2-3X faster than you realize3. Hobbies are underrated.

   — Lance Bradley (@Lance_Bradley) February 9, 2020

7. 1. Family is everything 2. Prioritize nutrition, sleep and fitness 3. Experiences > Stuff

   — Mike Earls (@MikeEarls) February 9, 2020

8. 1) Kids are a ton of work. They live up to the hype.2) To make improvements really focus on creating sustainable habits.3) You’ll succeed because of, not in spite of, your eccentricities and weird viewpoints.

   — Lucas Nelson (@LucasNelson) February 10, 2020

9. Respond, don’t react. Instinct isn’t intuition. Your gut feeling is always right. Always. Overriding it leads to expensive, time consuming regrets.

   — April Hunter (@AprilHunter) February 10, 2020

10. Being alone is better than being with the wrong person.Having kids isn’t mandatory to have a full and impactful life.Worrying is just ruining your present. Be in each moment, and embrace the times you’re happy. Unhappiness is inevitable, so don’t ruin happiness with worry.

    — Raleigh! (@RaleighOnTheAir) February 10, 2020

11. 1. you learn nothing in life if you think you are right all the time2. no response is a powerful response3. no one else can make you happy until you are happy by yourself

    — CanMD (@canmd4422) February 9, 2020

12. A. CareerB. FriendshipsC. FamilyD. HealthE. CommunityIn the best case scenario, you’ll be good at 3 of these. Therefore, the 3 things to know:1. that’s OK.2. be careful what you pick.3. “I’ll focus on it after [achieving X]” rarely works, especially with C & D.

    — Shreyas Doshi (@shreyas) February 10, 2020

13. 1. Be kind to yourself 2. Develop a hobby 3. Listen

    — krishna gathwal (@KrishnaGathwal) February 9, 2020

14. You are what you do.Your kids are watching you and learning. Be better for them.Today is the youngest you’ll ever be. Start now.

    — Landon Swan (@landonswan) February 9, 2020

15. 1. Patience. 2. Listen to people with more experience. 3. Time goes very fast

    — Raúl (@raulpmarc) February 9, 2020

Which piece of advice struck you the most? What have you learned that you wish you could tell someone younger?