Ask anyone over the age of fifty, or even younger, and they’ll probably give you at least a few life lessons they wish they’ve learned earlier than they did. Even though we learn for as long as we’re alive, there are some lessons you shouldn’t wait for your middle age to learn. Learning them early could save you a lot of stress and heartbreak, and they could help you stay healthy and productive for longer. Here are five lessons you should learn as early as possible.

You Can’t Please Everyone

There’s a natural tendency for people to want to belong to groups. People also like to feel they’re respected and liked. But wanting to belong to every group you come across and wanting to be liked by everyone you meet can lead you to become a people-pleaser.

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to get along. You will, however, have to come to terms that it won’t be possible with some people. It won’t be the end of the world, and it will happen throughout your life. So don’t waste your time trying to please everyone – being authentic is a much better way to build solid relationships with people.

Motivation Is Great but so Is Self-Discipline

When it’s hard to get around to doing stuff, self-motivation can be just the thing you need to get you going. It can help you get started, blow some wind into your sails, and keep you going for a while.

But as your supply of willpower depletes, you’ll tend to rely more on self-discipline than motivation. Parents who want to know how to build resilience in children are often advised to give them a sense of control to let them know their actions have consequences. It’s the same lesson you can repeat to yourself when learning self-discipline.

It’s Okay to Make Mistakes

Accountability is an awesome personality trait but being accountable isn’t the same as never making mistakes. Chances are you’ll have plenty of those, and it can be important that you do – as long as they’re not something that will haunt you for the rest of your life, hurt you, or hurt anyone else. The faster you learn to extract lessons from your mistakes and to avoid repeating them, the better off you’ll be.

Things Can Change on a Whim

When you have a good thing going for you – a relationship, a friendship, a job – you’ll want it to last for as long as possible. But everything has a beginning and an end, and either can come about abruptly, leaving chaos in its wake.

The lesson here is to recognize the good things you have in your life while they last and enjoy them to the fullest. For example, you’ll never have your college years back. That intense mix of academic and social learning will never happen again, which is why you might consider enjoying both aspects to the fullest while they last.

Mental Health Matters as Much as Physical Health

You know that the natural course of life sees our health eventually degrade as we grow older. We’re taught to take care of our bodies through nutrition, proper exercise, and making healthy lifestyle options.

All of that is awesome, and your future self will be thankful to your present self for doing it. But don’t forget to pay attention to your mental health, as well. Learn to recognize signs of anxiety or depression. If you notice them in yourself, your friends, or your loved ones, do something about it. Mental health is just as important as physical health.