Five years ago, the world as we knew it came to a halt. Everything changed overnight—work from home became the norm, kids adapted to online school, and suddenly, masks, Zoom calls, and toilet paper shortages became part of our daily conversations. Fear of the unknown hovered over us, yet somehow, we found ways to navigate it.
Today, as I continue strengthening my writing muscle, I came across an old journal entry—things I wish my five-years-ago self had known. Your list might look different from mine, but I think it’s worth pausing for a moment to reflect. After all, you’re not the same person you were back then. Whether life has shifted for the better or presented unexpected challenges, one thing remains true: looking back should propel us forward, not hold us down. Growth is the goal.
So, here’s what I’ve learned, categorized for clarity. Maybe something here will resonate with you, too.
What lessons about cooking would have made life easier?
- Batch cook and freeze meals—it saves so much time.
- Buy in bulk the ingredients you use regularly.
- Cook only when necessary; simplify the process.
- Start a small herb garden—fresh flavors, less waste.
- Stop spending entire weekends chopping vegetables. Life’s too short.
What do I wish I had known about parenting?
- Write things down—what your kids say, what they learn. You’ll cherish it later.
- Journal with them. Let them capture their own memories, too.
- Take them outside and just play. No agenda, just fun.
- Be silly, laugh a lot. Joy is contagious.
Looking Back: What I Wish Our Marriage Had More of- Five Years Ago
- Find something you both love and do it together, often.
- Laugh at each other, laugh with each other. Just laugh.
- Create a vision plan for your future—then take steps to make it real.
- Hug more. There’s no such thing as too many.
- Be each other’s favorite person, on purpose.
- Communicate with care—focus on the issue, not each other’s flaws.
What habits and mindset shifts would have helped me grow the most?
- Start a business, but treat it like a business.
- Make God the CEO of everything you do.
- Read—a mix of mystery, self-help, and the Bible. Take notes.
- Read through the Bible every year. Record what you learn.
- Find a journal with prompts that guide your personal growth.
- Ask yourself more questions. Curiosity leads to clarity.
- Challenge your beliefs. Test them. Strengthen what holds true.
- Surround yourself with people who inspire and challenge you.
- Make God bigger in your life than you ever imagined possible.
How can I use past experiences to build a better future?
I share this because too often, we let regrets about the past overshadow the progress we have made. Would I have done all of this five years ago? Maybe. Did I have the mindset to thrive while doing it? Probably not. The capacity? Definitely not. Did I want to? Absolutely. But the beauty of growth is that I can now. And if I can, so can you.
So here’s my challenge: take a moment today to recognize how far you’ve come. Use your past to fuel your future. Five years from now, let today’s choices be the ones you look back on with gratitude.
Because sometimes, you never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.
So make the moment count. Now.
