My 10 Life Rules (and Why They Matter)

I never sat down one day and wrote out a list of rules for my life.

They just showed up — through struggle, through lessons, through messing up and trying again.

These aren’t universal truths.

They’re not perfect or final.

They’re just mine — the ones I try to return to when life feels messy or loud.

And maybe something here will speak to you too.

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1. Protect your mornings

I don’t check my phone for the first 30 minutes.

It’s the only time of the day that feels fully mine. Quiet. Slow. No expectations.

That small decision protects my mind more than any productivity app ever could.

2. Say no when you want to say no

It took years to stop saying yes out of guilt.

Now I ask myself: “If I say yes to this, what am I saying no to?”

Usually, it’s peace. Or time. Or honesty.

3. Don’t chase. Align.

I used to chase everything — people, success, validation.

Now I try to align. I ask: “Does this feel like me?”

If it doesn’t, I let it go — even if it looks shiny on the outside.

4. Rest is productive

Some of my best ideas showed up after a nap. Or during a walk with no destination.

Rest isn’t the opposite of progress. It’s part of it.

5. Small things count

I used to wait for big wins. Now I celebrate the quiet ones.

A focused hour. A kind reply. Remembering to breathe before reacting.

Tiny things. But they build a different life.

6. Move your body every day

Not for abs. Not for punishment. But to feel more like myself.

Stretching. Walking. Dancing like a fool in my room. It resets my brain in a way thinking never can.

7. Don’t hide the hard stuff

I tried to look strong all the time. But it was lonely.

Now I try to be honest — even when it’s messy. Because connection starts with, “Me too.”

8. Track what matters

I keep a simple tracker. Not for perfection. Just awareness.

How much water I drank. Whether I journaled. If I got enough sunlight.

Not to obsess — just to notice. Because noticing is where change begins.

9. Define success for yourself

For years, I borrowed someone else’s version.

Now, success for me means calm. A good night’s sleep. Doing what I love without losing myself.

When I started living by my own definition, everything felt lighter.

10. Keep growing, gently

I don’t force change anymore. I grow like plants do — season by season. Slow. Messy. Quietly.

Progress isn’t always loud. Sometimes it looks like staying kind, even when it’s hard.

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What would be on your list?

Your rules don’t need to be perfect. Just real. Just yours. Because your life deserves to feel like it belongs to you.

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