55 Life Lessons From Dr. Julie Hanks

Here are 55 lessons I’ve learned in 55 years:

1. Don’t take myself too seriously

2. Look every person in the eye and acknowledge them

3. Relationships matter most

4. Stay in my own business

5. We are on this planet to learn to love & to grow

6. Therapy works (Need therapy? Contact my clinic here and schedule your appointment.)

7. Pain can deepen empathy

8. Openness to new ideas is really important to me

9. Truth can be found in many places

10. Life gives me many opportunities to heal our past wounds

11. Investing energy over long periods of time pays off

12. 8-10 hours of sleep per night is key to being healthy

13. I can do hard things

14. I am responsible for my life

15. Friends matter a lot

16. Holding grudges only hurts me

17. I am not for everyone and that’s OK

18. I love people and hearing their stories

19. I really enjoy Diet Coke

20. How I treat other people matters more than what I say

21. I can ask for help

22. Worry is one of the biggest wastes of time

23. People make sense when you really get to know them

24. I don’t have to be right

25. Apologize often

26. Always own my part

27. Assume positive intent

28. It’s OK to take psychotropic meds

29. Listen more than you talk

30. Keep an open heart

31. Let compliments and kind words into my heart

32. Acknowledge my strengths and weaknesses

33. My worth is constant and not dependent on my behavior or performance (Find more of my favorite positive affirmations here.)

34. I can go directly to Deity without a “middle man”

35. I can accept myself and try to improve

36. I can feel peace and work for change

37. I can transform guilt into gratitude

38. God really is love

39. There are no perfect families

40. People are resilient

41. Exercising with friends is a lot more sustainable than working out alone

42. I really like having adult children

43. I’m really glad that I stayed professionally engaged while raising children

44. Partnership in marriage is possible (Learn how to create partnership in your marriage here.)

45. It takes a village to raise a family

46. Hiring out help when possible is worth every penny

47. Everyone has down days

48. I like the idea of running more than I like running

49. Creativity is magical

50. Family traditions matter

51. My parents are wounded travelers just like me

52. No one deserves to be put on a pedestal

53. Everyone has a burden, struggle, or pain

54. Humans are not rational — emotions drive behavior

55. I am grateful for every relationship, experience, challenge, success, and failure, that has led me to be 55 years old

I hope these life lessons I’ve learned in the past 55 years are helpful for you.

What life lessons have you learned? Let’s discuss them on Instagram. Send me a DM or leave a comment on my most recent post.