7 Reality Checks 2024 Gave Me (The 5th One Changed Everything)

Life has a way of teaching valuable lessons, sometimes through gentle nudges and other times through hard wake-up calls. Here are seven reality checks that shaped my perspective in 2024 grouped into 4 categories. The 5th reality hit particularly close to home.

About health

1. Men's health deserves equal attention and urgency as women's and children's health. Society often overlooks men's well-being, but it's time to change this narrative. Whether it's mental health support or regular check-ups, men's health shouldn't be an afterthought.

Men's health deserves equal attention

2. The food-mood connection is real and undeniable. Healthy food yields good mood; bad food yields a crappy mood. When you fuel your body with nutritious food, you're rewarded with stable energy, better focus, and improved overall health. Conversely, poor food choices can lead to energy crashes and mood swings. It's not about perfect eating - it's about making better choices most of the time.

Your food choices directly affect your health

About resilience

3. Life can knock you down in multiple ways - financially, mentally, physically, or emotionally. The real strength lies not in handling it alone but in reaching out for help. Remember: people, especially family and true friends, are often more willing to help than we imagine. Your vulnerability isn't weakness; it's courage.

Hit rock bottom? Ask for help; don’t face it alone

4. Gratitude is a game-changer. When you appreciate what you have, no matter how small, it transforms your perspective on everything, even challenges. Note that this is different from toxic positivity. Being grateful (even amidst challenges) is finding the silver lining that help you move forward constructively.

Gratitude can change your view regardless of the circumstances

About career growth

5. Companies will always prioritize themselves over you if they feel you’re a threat (even if you’re the best), if their money is on the line or if they no longer “have a use” for you. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do your best. It only means you should know your priorities and never compromise on them - mental health, physical health, family, salary, side hustle, professional growth or whatever it may be for you. Know your priorities and protect them fiercely.

Prioritize yourself while putting in your best

6. Plans rarely unfold exactly as envisioned, but having one is invaluable. Think of plans as compass points rather than rigid maps. They guide you toward your goals and allow for necessary changes along the way. Having a flexible plan is far better than having no direction at all.

Plans are a guide, not a do-or-die

About personal actions

7. Terms like food waste, sustainability and environmental protection get thrown around and sometimes feel overwhelming. But change begins with individual actions. Yes, governmental and corporate policies matter, but your daily choices create immediate impact. Want to stop food waste? Start by managing your leftovers better. Small actions, multiplied across communities, create significant change.

Your actions create immediate impact on global issues

The beauty of growth is that it comes in many forms. Whether it's related to health, resilience, career, or global impact, the key is to embrace these lessons and let them shape your journey forward. The hardest reality checks can lead to the most meaningful transformations.