Practical Wisdom

“Life is a journey, not a destination. Along the way, we learn, grow, and discover the truths that shape us.”

Throughout our lives, we encounter moments of reflection, growth, and transformation. These experiences often provide us with invaluable lessons that help guide us through both challenges and opportunities. Here, I’ll share some of the most insightful tips and wisdom I've gained from my personal journey.

Celebrate Small Victories

Don’t overlook the small wins. Successfully completing a project, finishing a presentation, or even conquering your fears are all victories worth celebrating. These moments create a sense of accomplishment and contribute to overall contentment in life.

When tackling bigger tasks, break them down into smaller, achievable goals. I remember when I worked on my minor project in the 7th semester. I divided the project into several tasks: first drafting the idea, then collecting data, and so on. It’s not just about breaking tasks into smaller pieces; celebrating each small victory along the way is what keeps the momentum going. These little wins give a huge boost to confidence.

“The little victories along the way are the stepping stones to bigger successes. Celebrate them as you go.”

Vent Out Your Frustrations

Life can be frustrating at times, and it's important to let those feelings out. Cry, laugh, dance, sing—whatever helps you release the stress. Don’t bottle it up, as it only leads to more frustration. Sometimes, we lack someone to talk to, but we can always rely on ourselves for support.

When I feel frustrated, I head to my rooftop. It's quiet, peaceful, and gives me space to think. I reflect on why I started and why I won’t stop. This kind of retrospection helps me accept whatever challenges I face, whether it's frustration, jealousy, or failure. It's crucial to understand what went wrong and use that knowledge to move forward.

When seeking help from others, find someone trustworthy, not someone who might use your struggles against you. If no one is available, remember that you are your own best company. Hobbies also play a big role in easing frustration. Whenever I feel down, I focus on my other hobbies, like photography or listening to music. Finding a song that matches your mood can help you feel less frustrated and more at peace.

“Sometimes, venting out your frustrations is the first step towards healing. Don’t bottle it up.”

Enjoy the Small Things

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Whenever I’m on any journey or even a simple trip, like from my home to the market, I try to notice every little thing around me. Maybe a random kid smiles at me or my regular shopkeeper gives me a discount. Sometimes, these small signs are enough to make my day.

The key is to focus on the glass being half-full. Always focus on what you have, instead of what you don't. Even during your regular visits, try to find something to cherish — a photo, a joke, a lesson, or even a funny roast. It may seem like small things, but they have a big impact. Always notice them because sometimes, this is all we need to cheer up.

“Happiness is not in the big things, but in the small moments we tend to overlook.”

Give Yourself Some Time

This is one of the most important lessons I’ve learned: Don’t think that everything will change in a day, but trust that it will eventually change. Keep hustling and keep doing better. Trust me, you’re doing good even if no one is watching. Be your own admirer and acknowledge the little things you do — those small efforts and steps forward are great.

I always remind myself of this, especially when I feel like things are not going the way I want. When I’ve helped someone or done something that made me feel good, I make sure to give myself some time to recharge. I take a break, then I restart with renewed energy.

“It’s okay to pause. You’ll come back stronger. Give yourself the grace you give others.”

You Are Unique — Don’t Let Others’ Success Overshadow Yours

We are all built differently, and as a result, we can never measure our success or achievements by someone else’s standards. The truth is, don’t feel bad about being different in any way. Maybe we’re not good at one thing, but that’s okay — find your own strengths and focus on them.

Do not change for someone else. Change for yourself — for your growth, for your desire to become a better person. Embrace your uniqueness, because that’s what makes you stand out and gives you the potential to achieve things that are true to who you are.

“Success is not a comparison; it’s about becoming the best version of yourself.”

Don’t Take Criticism to Heart

The thing is, we all make mistakes, and that’s absolutely fine. In the beginning, it’s easy to feel overly protective or defensive when someone points out our errors, even if it’s done through taunts. But it's okay — after all, we’re only affected by something when we haven’t fully accepted it.

Take every criticism as an opportunity to grow. Analyze it, inspect it, introspect on it, but never let it make you feel small or discouraged. See it as a chance to improve — whether it’s your project, yourself, or anything you’re struggling with. Criticism is a stepping stone toward becoming a better version of yourself.

“Criticism is not a reflection of your worth; it's an opportunity for growth and improvement.”

Help Others If You Can

There’s no problem in helping others, and the key is to feel grateful that you’re capable of doing so. I always try to assist, no matter how small the contribution may be. Seeing someone else grateful or even just smiling because of your help is a truly rewarding feeling — cherish it.

However, don't allow people to walk all over you. Help, but also ensure that you communicate your boundaries and make others understand the value of your assistance.

“The joy of helping others lies not just in what you do, but in knowing your support makes a difference.”

Start Somewhere

When you feel overwhelmed by too many paths and can’t decide which one to take, it’s better to just start and figure things out along the way. From my personal experience, I was completely confused about web development, backend, frontend, data science — so many options! But I just started with frontend development, loved it, then moved on to data science and realized it was my true calling. That’s how I learned and continue to learn.

It’s okay to be confused. I remember when I started with GitHub, I thought, “What good could I possibly do? I’m a complete beginner!” I wasn’t even sure what project to create, but I just started, and things gradually made sense. The key is to start, fail, and keep going. It’s better to fail than to never start at all.

“Starting is the first step toward success. The road may be unclear, but action will always lead to progress.”

Ultimately, life is a series of lessons and experiences that shape who we are. Embrace the journey, celebrate the small victories, and remember that growth comes from both success and failure. Stay true to yourself, help others when you can, and always keep moving forward. The key is to never stop learning and evolving.