I love birthdays because they are so unique and special to each person. You were born at a specific time at a specific place to specific parents to fulfill your purpose in life. And every year, we uncover the true meaning of life and why we’re here.

Every year I learn more about who I am and why I’m here, along with some meaningful life and spiritual lessons. I want this to be a yearly thing of me sharing everything I’ve learned that year at that age. So, here are 26 spiritual and life lessons I learned in my 26th year of life!

1. If you want something bad enough, it will happen

The Universe knows exactly what you desire. And if you desire it, there must be some strong feelings behind why you desire it. What you want never goes unnoticed by the Universe, and it will do everything in its power to get it to you. Last year I wanted to go on a trip to Florida so badly, but I didn’t know where I would get the money to go, and a week before I was supposed to leave, I still didn’t know where I was going to stay. It would’ve been easy to give up and change dates or cancel the trip, but I wasn’t going to let that happen. I had faith that I would get the money in time, and the perfect Airbnb would land in my lap.

Do you want to know what happened?

I got a tuition refund check for $2,000 from my school for a course I dropped, and I found the perfect place to stay, all within a few days of leaving. When you have a desire for something and have faith that everything will work out at the right time, magic happens.

2. You are your past, present, and future at all times

It’s been proven that time doesn’t exist. Instead of living in a timeline of past, present, and future, it’s actually everything happening at once. Humans need specifics like dates and times because it’s hard for our brains to comprehend what’s happening if we don’t. But if everything is always happening simultaneously, that means that our past and future selves are always with us. Our past self is our memories, and our future self is our intuition. We are living this crazy experience that even our brains can’t understand.

3. When you get into a flow, magic happens

If you’ve ever seen the movie Soul, you know that being in the flow or zone means something different to everyone. When you’re in the zone, you are creating, whether music, writing, or positivity. In the flow, you feel immense calmness and peace because you’re in the alpha brainwave state, which bridges the conscious and subconscious mind. When you get into a flow with your mediation or work, it feels good to you. And what feels good to you is what allows in the magic of the Universe.

4. Doing things that scar you will build confidence

The best way to overcome fear is to do the thing that scares you. That is how you take your power back. Fear is a block that holds you back because you’re afraid of what will happen if you do it. What will people think? Am I good enough? All these questions will spiral in your mind. But once you do what you’re most scared of doing and do it more often, it’ll soon be nothing. At the same time, you’re telling yourself that you can do hard, scary things, and there is nothing that will stand in your way except the belief that you can’t do something.

5. Not caring about the outcome makes your manifestations come quicker

This is one of the keys to manifesting. Once you stop caring about what will happen or not happen, it’s like a direct signal to the Universe that you’re ready to receive your manifestation. When you stop caring, it means you are okay with whatever happens, which is the openness and trust you need to have with the Universe.

6. Having integrity with yourself is the best skill and quality you can have

When you keep your word to yourself, you will become unstoppable. Very few people can keep deadlines and promises to themselves - whether it’s for a big project or crossing something off your to-do list. You are building trust with yourself, which means when you are showing yourself daily that you mean what you say and say what you mean.

7. Calling back your energy every day is a must

Many things can take your energy from you. Anything you give attention to takes your energy. Anyone who sees you, talks to you or talks about you can take your energy. Sometimes you’ll feel this draining and tired feeling for no reason, and it could be because people are taking energy from you. So daily or weekly meditations that call back your energy will help you feel more like yourself, more in alignment, and of course, more energized!

8. If something is bothering you, get to the root of it as fast as you can

The longer you sit with these uncomfortable feelings, the worse they will get later. If you have the chance, try to figure out what’s bothering you as soon as it bothers you. I’ve found that sometimes I’m overthinking, anxious thoughts are taking over, and I soothe myself. If you can’t do it immediately, write it down on your phone and get to it as soon as possible.

9. The direction of your life is solely dependent on you

You direct your life the way you want. It may seem like other people affect how your life will go and what you’ll do, but you hold power to determine that, no one else. You can make decisions today that will determine where you are tomorrow; you are the one in control at all times.

10. The Universe works on a different clock than you

Sometimes things don’t happen at the time you want because the Universe has a different plan for you. The Universe knows that some things need to happen, or you need to meet certain people before your desires come through. You can’t see it at the moment, but when you look back on your life, you’ll see how everything perfectly aligned at the exact right moment.

11. Your relationships will expose your triggers

Relationships are mirrors, and they WILL expose your triggers. Things will come up, whether it’s a parent, friend, or partner. Relationships are great teachers because you’ll begin to see yourself in relationships. Relationships will bring up old wounds, especially if you haven’t already healed them. But relationships are where you grow the most, too, because if it’s a healthy relationship, you will have the space to express yourself and your feelings and truly be seen and heard. It’s not about triggers coming up, but understanding that they will come up and that you’re in a relationship that makes you feel comfortable sharing your feelings and working through your wounds.

12. Show up for your dreams, and your dreams will show up

You're already winning when you wake up every day with joy and excitement to go after your dreams. Most people feel like when they wake up, they have to go to work, work out, and take care of themselves. But if you wake up and think, "I get to do this," you're already ahead of most people. When you wake up and do things that feed your soul and bring you closer to your dreams, the Universe sees that and expedites anything and everything you want because you're already on that vibration of excitement and joy. 

13. Self-sabotage is very sneaky and will come up frequently

You can self-sabotage in so many ways. Maybe it's resistance, maybe it's procrastination, maybe it's picking fights because things are going too well in your relationship. You don't know how to handle it. Knowing how you self-sabotage and figure out why you're doing it is important. (It's most likely a worthiness thing.) 

Related Post: Why Cultivating and Nurturing Self-Worth Needs to Be Your Top Priority

14. If you don’t have what you want yet, there is a part of you that’s resisting it

I've been doing a lot of EFT tapping and watching Brad Yates videos on YouTube. He always says, "The extent to which you don't have something is the extent to which you're resisting it." This basically means that if you don't have something you want, it's because a part of you is resisting it. And you resist something because you either don't feel worthy of having it or don't feel safe having it. This has changed the way I see manifestation and desires.

15. You can’t plan out every detail of how your life will happen

Sometimes the Universe has a plan for you that you’d never guess in a million years. But knowing every detail of how something will happen takes the magic out of life. You can’t plan out all the details. Some things need to be left up to the Universe.

16. Understanding how you give and receive love is so important

The way we give and receive love can be different. So if you want more connection in your relationships, you must understand how the other person gives and receives love. The primary love languages are physical touch, words of affirmation, quality time, acts of service, and gifts. Someone could be showing your love, but you don’t receive it that way because that’s not how you receive love which is why it’s important to talk about what they are and what the other person needs from you.

17. Having a morning practice will set you up for success

Your morning practice doesn't need to be set in stone, but it helps when you have some sort of routine. Having a steady routine that I can change up occasionally helps me so much. It allows me to clear my mind and set intentions for the day. I notice a big difference in my day when I do my morning routine and when I don't. So find what you like: journaling, meditation, working out, listening to music, or having a delicious cup of coffee. Just make sure it makes you feel good!

Related Post: 6 Practices To Include in Your Mindful Morning Routine 

18. You don’t have to take everything personal

It’s easy to take things personally, but most people don’t say things that are mean or hurtful. Everyone is going through their own day, thoughts, and struggles, and something could be seriously bothering them. This is still something I’m learning, but when you shift your perspective from “why are they attacking me?” to “I hope they get through whatever they’re going through,” you will feel lighter immediately. Not everything has to be on you all the time.

19. Your desires are the building blocks of your destiny

Your desires are leading you to your destiny. You are getting closer to fulfilling your destiny when you follow the things you want to do and bring you joy. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that you will feel lighter when you follow what your heart wants because you are on the direct path to living the life you are meant to live. Not everyone has the same desires, which means your desires are yours. You desire things because you know exactly how you want your life to be. So follow your desires because your desires are destined for you.

20. If a belief doesn’t make you feel good, it’s a lie

You don’t have to believe anything you don’t want to believe. That’s the amazing thing about beliefs; they aren’t truths. They aren’t set in stone. If you believe something that doesn't make you feel good, it’s a lie, and it’s not true, and you can change your truth whenever you want. You’re allowed to have beliefs about yourself that are positive and uplifting because you’re worth it. You are in charge of your beliefs and your truths.

21. Your power comes from within you

Your power comes from your soul urges, desires, kindness, and love. No one outside of you can give you more power or take away your power. That has been within you since you were born. You use your power when speaking your truth and making loving decisions. You control your thoughts which are your greatest asset because your thoughts determine your feelings and actions. All the power is within you; it always has been.

22. Not having your life “figured out” is what makes it magical

The unknown can be scary, but that’s what makes life fun. Would you really be happy if you knew exactly what would happen to you at every moment of the day? We say we want to know, but it takes life's spark and magic away. When you don’t know exactly what you want to do with your life, you have a blank canvas in front of you. You can do whatever you want, try so many new things, and find your groove because life is about. Who cares if you don’t have life all figured out?! Find something that makes you happy and go after it.

23. If it’s loud and overwhelming, it’s not your intuition; it’s anxiety

Your intuition will never be loud. If you have the nagging thought and feeling that something is wrong and you can’t shake it, it’s most likely anxiety. Your intuition is very subtle and quiet. So if you’re feeling overwhelmed because you have these loud thoughts spiraling, it’s most likely anxious thoughts.

24. There will always be ebbs and flows in life

Sometimes life will feel really amazing, and sometimes it’ll feel dull. That doesn't mean you’re doing anything wrong or you're stuck. Life moves through these cycles, and there has to be polarity because that’s how the Universe works. If you feel immense highs, you’ll feel immense lows too. Without the lows, there is no way to understand how good the highs feel and truly appreciate them.

25. Confidence comes from trusting yourself and consistency

When you’re consistent with something, whether going to the gym, waking up at a certain time, or creating content every day, your confidence will skyrocket. This goes back to trusting yourself. When you do the things you say you’re going to do and stay consistent, that is a recipe for confidence. Show up for yourself every day and see the magic that happens.

26. Every day is a new chance to be a better version of yourself

Every day is a blank slate. Every day you have the chance and the choice to be better and do better. You don’t have to wait until the new year or week or month to start; just do it. The more you show up for yourself, the more the Universe will show up for you. You can do anything you want; it all comes from the decision to start.

Birthdays are amazing because we learn so much about ourselves. These are a few things I learned in year 26, and I know I’ll learn even more in year 27!