25 Important Life Lessons I've Learned by Age 25

Thank you for being on this journey with me! I love ya + I am beyond honored to do life by your side.

——-WHERE TO FOLLOW ME——-

———-LET’S HANG———
+ Check out my site for NEW BLOG POSTS OFTEN!:
+ HAVE YOU LISTENED TO THE PODCAST?

~SHOP~

--FAV AFFILIATE LINKS & PROMO CODES--

-----Equipment-------

-----Michel's Favs-----
I update this frequently with my favorites!

-----FAQ:-----
~How tall am I? 5'7
~Where am I from? Boerne, TX
~Where do I live? I spent 2016-2021 in Pasadena CA but have now moved to Austin, TX
~What did I study? Nutrition and Dietetics from ASU!
~How old am I? 24 (born in '97)
~Are you Christian? YES!
~What's your full name? Christiane Michel Janse
~How do you pronounce that? Like... Christy-Anne Mick-Elle Jan-See
~Do you have pets? YES! A rescue pupper named Max :-)
~Favorite Store? Everlane + Madewell
~Favorite Drink? Oat Milk Matcha or Lemonade Kombucha
~Favorite Friends? YOU

FTC: This video is NOT Sponsored. Some links may be affiliate links meaning I make commissions on sales with no extra expense to you. (thanks for supporting me by using my links!) All opinions are my own.

[allthingshealthy]

“You see what everyone has, but not what everyone sacrifices”. LOVE that and it’s so so so true

[Kit]

Michel, my husband and I are 45 and 38. We both love you and think you’re incredibly wise, introspective, and have a solid head on your shoulders. YES on healthy anger, and YES on communication. Both so important. You’re going to do so well in life. My husband and I are rooting for you!

[intuitivelyeating]

Some things I've learned in my 27 years:
1. Nobody gets to set your boundaries except you
2. Actions speak louder than words. If someone says they're sorry or they care about you but they never act like it, their words are meaningless.
3. Don't get stuck on past goals, plans, or ideas of yourself. You're allowed to grow and change what you want.
4. The foundations of mental health are sleep, nutritious food, and exercise.
5. Most things that seem like a huge deal at the time don't matter in the future. When you're stressed, ask yourself if the thing you're stressing about will matter a year from now.
6. You can't always choose what happens to you in life, but you can choose how you respond.

[sandramoss]

Girl, I did not expect this from a 25 year old. You have become so wise. I love you even more now. I'm 33 and you spoke to some weak points I need to tackle. Mind blown. You're a rare jewel ✨️

[gabriellekelley]

Would love to see you react to older vlogs from that time and share the “behind the scenes” of how you were really feeling! It’s genuinely so good to see you THRIVING through this hardship

[TheHardcoreHatred]

I got the notification that this video went live. I stopped cleaning my home, made a cup of coffee, and sat down. I use your postings as my reminder to take a moment for myself. I love your videos. I love your story. I was divorced at the age of 25. After 5 years of what I thought was a wonderful marriage I learned of many betrayals. I chose to walk away on my own terms. You’re not alone. This community loves you and supports you ♥️

[chrissiedcohen]

Thank you for sharing your wisdom so openly with us. I’m twice your age (+1 year) and constantly learn from you. Your experiences make me want to be more brave!

A couple of my tidbits:
1. Someone else’s crisis cannot become yours, especially if you want to help.
2. Lead with kindness.
3. Each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done. -Bryan Stevenson
4. Life is a rollercoaster; just when you think you’ve got it figured out there will be another hill or dip.
5. Be the friend that you wish you had.
6. Reality Check! I realized so many things after birthing my daughter (who is now 18.5 yrs old), particularly what people don’t tell you about childbirth, newborns, and parenting. I decided to be the Reality Check friend and shared the realities that many don’t share (to those who asked). A biggie is that caring for a baby/toddler (physical exhaustion) is much easier than the complexities of tweens and teens (physical/mental/emotional exhaustion).

[elecops]

Another important life lesson is the reality of friendships. It is perfectly healthy and normal to lose friendships, to cut people off, to move on, or just drift apart. Some friends are for life, but most come and go. Life isn't high school! You don't have to have a BFF, or just have same sex friends, same age friends. In reality, you will meet people from all over. Don't be afraid to make friends with people older, younger, opposite sex etc. Adult friendships aren't the same as school friendships. You can have a close friend you only see once every few months.

[hannahcollardgray]

I understood your point, but I think I personally need to say yes to more things and see what happens rather than relying on assumptions based on stereotypes or previous experiences and thinking that new is bad and old is good.
I’m 24, and this my list:
1.All emotions are in motion, and should always be validated for they’re always telling you something
2. Friends are people with whom you can comfortably be yourself, who share similar interests, values and opinions but are different enough to challenge you and allow you grow together
3. The strongest friendship you should have is the one that you have with yourself
4. Your comfort zone is a nice place to be, but if it doesn’t challenge you it won’t change you
5. Don’t let your future be dictated by other people’s expectations
6. You can’t take things out of an empty container. Learn how take from others, and help them to help you.
7. Trust your gut
8. Me time isn’t wasted time
9. You can’t run away from your emotions, and the more you suppress them the more powerful they become
10. Negative comments tell you more about the person who says them than they do about you
11. Money can’t buy positivity
12. Anger contains energy that you can utilise to your advantage with which to do something positive
13. There’s no such thing as bad people, only undesirable behaviour
14. Don’t let people use you
15. There is such thing as being too nice
16. Unpleasant experiences can teach you valuable lessons
17. Time is precious, objects can be replaced
18. Helping those less fortunate than yourself helps you as well
19. Everyone has a different version of normality
20. Giving is often more rewarding than receiving
21. You see the end result but you don’t witness the journey
22. People need people
23. Boundaries are a must not a maybe
24. You can’t change what’s happened, or what the future may hold, only what you do, say and feel now

[jennyreed]

These are all great life lessons Michel. The biggest life lesson I've learned is that it's okay to cut off toxic family members and set boundaries to protect your own wellbeing. It took me so long to realize this, due to said family member being extremely manipulative and constantly gaslighting me. Once I set boundaries, I felt a huge weight being lifted off my shoulders. Just because a person is related to you by blood, doesn't mean they are owed a spot in your life.

[briannatownley]

A really hard lesson I learned in my 30s is that, not everyone who you’re loyal to, deserves your loyalty. Including family.
I have been loving your journey through these choppy waters and your authenticity and genuine spirit have been so uplifting. Thank you for being such a bright light. Love and many blessing to you sweet girl! 💜

[crystalri]

I’ve only recently started following you and I can’t explain how comforting your videos are. I love how you’re sharing your life through this hardship but yet being so positive of your new life. You help me have a better outlook at my life. Thank you for being you & I hope this new chapter brings you better and brighter things!

[bryony]

hey Michel, I am a recent follower - I came when you started sharing about divorce and have stuck around because you are so captivating. To have learned all this and be so introspective and growing in godly wisdom at such a young age tells me God has great plans for your life. I appreciate your intent and your vulnerability and I also struggle with many of the same behaviours you have, people pleasing, boundaries, not believing myself worthy of love... its such a journey and you verbalising it helps others. so thank you kind lady, I see your sincere heart and felt to share it with you. x

[elecops]

Another life lesson I learned, which is both a light-hearted and heavy lesson, is that people are oblivious. On one hand, that's great, because nobody actually notices when you mess up or the last time you embarrassed yourself. But that's also a hard lesson. People are oblivious to your inner thoughts and feelings, unless you explicitly tell them. (Except my mum, she notices everything! 😂)

[krysten-paige]

I love these sit down girly chats . Literally like listening to a dear friend 🤗🤗🤗

[elecops]

My main life lesson is that suffering doesn't make you stronger. You hear it everywhere, 'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger' and I've learned to realise that isn't true. Suffering, heartache, tragedy, illness, they don't make you strong. You make you strong. Your kindness, calmness, clarity, motivation, confidence, trust and everything in between makes you strong. At least that's my opinion.

[evaowens]

Hey Michel...you are a wise, remarkable young woman...I'm still learning these lessons and I'm 63! And I appreciate you...happy birthday too! In regards to #9, this is why God doesn't want us to compare ourselves to others; you truly don't know their story. And it can leave you feeling less than. Even if you have nothing compared to others, God provides what you truly need.

[BrigitteCoffman]

💝Loved this video of your journey. I agree with it all. I learnt, at age 25, that this is best time of my life, I am 66 now. My 25th year, was my highlight, that now, I am a brave beautiful woman. Fully mature. Everything, is now, uphill. When I look back, at when I discovered this, on my 25th, 3/19/1956, I was right! Everything, spiraled uphill for me. My thoughts, sincerity, my beauty, Love, Compassion, Joy, Physically and emotionally. I found God's Love for me at 26. I had 3-4 jobs at once, because everyone wanted me to work for them. I married at age 29. First child at 30. then 3 more when I was 33 & 35. Life was beautiful. Now I look back, and love sharing my wisdom to the younger youth, with great respect! I love you! Brigitte in Tulsa Oklahoma.🥰

[kathleenhetherington]

What a beautiful video! I appreciate you Michel🌻

[sheilavanduynfote]

Michel, by far this was one of my favorites, I can relate to 8, 12, 14, 16, and 18. I feel the growth during this season of your life is definitely from God for you to use your platform to help all of us going through similar life challenges. I am 71 and you my sweet young friend has helped me so much. Thank you and I am glad I am following the new Michel. You are so encouraging and honest I just wish I had known someone like you 50 years ago.