10 life skills that are not taught in school
In our modern world, the fundamental foundation that molds our essence is under threat. In fact, nothing is as important as navigating life with a thorough understanding of our internal and external worlds. Typically, our initial three years are spent enveloped by family. Yet, as time passes, society places us in a four-wall room, surrounded by other children, for a major chunk of our day, usually around six hours, immersing us in subjects tailored for specific careers like medicine, engineering, law, education, and so on.
However, when we venture out for higher education or anything really outside of our cacoon (for the people who are lucky to have one), our challenges extend beyond mere lectures and tests. Real-life concerns such as finances, motivation, discipline, relationships, mental well-being, and nutrition take center stage. These are aspects many haven't confronted, having been cocooned by family care. On a personal note, had I been equipped with these skills during my teenage years, it could've saved immense time and effort. I would've been better prepared to manage motivational dips, budget living in France, combat, and maybe even preempt depression, and perhaps venture beyond my mathematical pursuits sooner. Of course, I am deeply grateful for every moment of my life, and each cause and effect throughout my journey has shaped who I am today.
My favorite place in the world: my desk. Where ideas appear and have no execution plan :)
Here are the 10 skills often missed in traditional schooling:
Financial Literacy: While it's often said that money can't purchase happiness, it certainly wards off the hardships of financial strife that could lead to misery. Gaining insight into its fascinating history, and mastering the skills to manage, invest, and grow it, can be life-changing.
Relationship Skills: As inherently social beings, forging connections with others is vital for our well-being, if not our very survival. While solitude in a secluded cave is an option, there inevitably comes a time when we yearn for human interaction. Mastering the art of setting boundaries and effective communication is essential in nurturing and sustaining healthy relationships.
“We are like islands in the sea, separate on the surface but connected in the deep.” - William James
Time management: You're granted, if fortunate, around 75 years on this earth, and the mysteries of post-life remain unknown. Thus, mastering time management, minimizing distractions, and prioritizing what truly matters are essential to unveiling your best self. You might be astonished to realize the hours lost to the allure of social media, fruitless chatter, or the labyrinth of overthinking.
"Time = life; therefore, waste your time and waste your life, or master your time and master your life." - Alan Lakein
Nutrition: Food is paramount, second only to the oxygen we breathe. Your body serves as a lifelong sanctuary, deserving of the best nourishment. It's often said that we are what we eat, a sentiment ringing true as food acts as the vital fuel providing us with energy and vitality. The more processed the food, the further it strays from benefiting our well-being. A sincere piece of advice? Embrace the art of cooking. It's a gift you give to yourself. And remember, you don't have to be a gourmet chef. A handful of simple, enjoyable meals can pave the way to a wholesome, healthy life.
"Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food." - Hippocrates
You’ll find here a good article about the dangers of sugar.
Basic Life Skills: Tasks such as laundry, cleaning, and fundamental home upkeep should not be overlooked
Self-care: This section holds a special place for me, having navigated many challenges. Admittedly, my coping mechanisms were not always the healthiest; I often sought refuge in food, films, and prolonged sleep to combat my struggles and mental health concerns. I hesitated to seek the necessary assistance and overlooked the impact of dietary choices, like how sugar can exacerbate anxiety and depression. Rather than dedicating an hour in the gym, simple activities like walking or engaging in team sports can have profound effects on both body and mind. In essence, mastering mental health management, delving into stress-relieving strategies, and recognizing the significance of work-life harmony are essential tools for maintaining a sound mind within a sound body. Moreover, something like "Brain laundry" is an essential exercise in discernment, separating darks and lights in laundry in order to maintain the integrity of each garment. That way, the darker, more negative thoughts don’t overshadow the lighter, positive ones.
Navigating Health Care: How to make doctor's appointments, understanding insurance, and basic first aid. What can I say, ask your parents 🙂
Critical Thinking and Media Literacy: Evaluating the credibility of sources, especially in the age of information overload and misinformation on the internet. I am really sick and tired of people sharing information without knowing the real sources of what they are saying. If you receive any piece of information learn to question it instead of accepting it even if it comes from someone who is ‘supposed’ to be trustworthy. Learn to think for yourself and by yourself. Expose yourself to books about philosophy, self-development, economics, history, and so on.
Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action. — Edward M. Glaser
Career Management: Things like knowing how to network and effectively writing a resume or competently searching for a job are essential in order to stand out in the work environment.
Self-Discovery and Personal Growth: Understanding one's values, passions, strengths, and weaknesses through traveling, writing, and connecting with people from all over the world.
Digital Literacy: Safeguarding one's digital privacy, grasping the consequences of one's online footprint, and understanding the fundamentals of cybersecurity
Parenting Skills: Raising children is akin to nurturing a garden: each phase of growth requires its own care, sunlight, and water. Understanding the developmental stages is paramount, for just as a sapling needs different care than a mature tree, a toddler's needs differ vastly from a teenager's. Implementing effective discipline strategies ensures that boundaries are set, guiding the young saplings as they grow into strong, resilient trees. In the vast forest of parenting, patience and knowledge pave the path to blossoming success.
"It's not what you do for your children, but what you have taught them to do for themselves, that will make them successful human beings." Ann Landers
Survival Skills: Fundamental abilities for wilderness survival include igniting a fire, sourcing pure water, and mastering navigation. I often find myself wishing that our school days had incorporated forest excursions, where we'd craft modest shelters using timber and foliage.
Entrepreneurship: The educational structure was established by Rockefeller, who famously stated, "I want a nation of workers, not a nation of thinkers." This suggests that if you've been shaped by the conventional educational route, you've likely been conditioned to aspire to employment rather than pioneering a business that benefits society. That said, you might consider exploring the foundational steps of entrepreneurship, from conceptualizing an idea to its execution. Perhaps, you could emerge as the next visionary akin to Elon Musk.
"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do." - Steve Jobs
