7 things 99 percent of people don’t realize until it’s too late (according to psychology)

How often have we found ourselves wishing we’d known something sooner? How many “if onlys” or “I wish I knew thats” do we utter in our lifetime?

As the founder of Hack Spirit and someone deeply immersed in mindfulness and Buddhism, I’ve learned a few things about the human psyche and how our minds work.

I’m Lachlan Brown, and I’m here to share some of these insights with you.

So let’s delve into 7 revelations that most of us tend to overlook until the eleventh hour. Trust me, being aware of these sooner rather than later can make a world of difference.

1) The power of the present moment

It’s a fundamental truth that many of us often overlook – the power of living in the present moment.

We spend so much of our lives either fretting over the past or worrying about the future, that we forget to fully live and appreciate the here and now.

This is a concept that mindfulness and Buddhism both heavily emphasize.

According to psychology, our minds tend to gravitate towards anxiety and stress when we’re constantly focused on what’s next or what has been.

It’s a cycle of regret and apprehension that most people don’t even realize they’re trapped in until it’s too late.

The reality is, life unfolds in the present.

The past has already happened, and the future isn’t promised. All we really have is right here, right now.

So, if you want to make the most of your life and truly experience it in all its richness, learn to be present.

Learn to live in the moment.

It might just be one of those things you’d wish you’d realized sooner.

It’s never too late to start practicing mindfulness and presence.

2) The illusion of control

One thing I’ve personally grappled with, and I know many others do too, is the illusion of control.

We often believe we’re the masters of our own universe, that we can steer the course of our lives entirely.

But the reality, as both psychology and Buddhism affirm, is that much of life is beyond our control.

Famed mindfulness expert Jon Kabat-Zinn once said, “You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.”

We can’t control everything that happens to us, but we can control how we react to it.

It’s a hard pill to swallow for many of us.

We like to believe we’re in charge, that we can map out our lives down to the minutest detail. But life has a way of disrupting even the best-laid plans.

99 percent of people don’t realize this until they’re faced with a situation where they are utterly helpless.

It’s a humbling reminder that we are not omnipotent beings but mere passengers in this journey of life.

3) The impermanence of everything

This is a tough one, but it’s a truth we all must face – nothing in this world is permanent.

Buddhist teachings often emphasize the concept of impermanence. Everything in life, including life itself, is transient and ever-changing.

Yet, most of us spend our lives clinging to people, possessions, and experiences, hoping they’ll last forever.

We build our lives around attachments and create narratives that these things define us.

But one day, inevitably, we are confronted with the harsh reality that all things must pass.

This realization often comes too late for many people.

It’s only when we lose someone or something we deeply care about that we understand the fleeting nature of existence.

It’s a raw and humbling lesson, but one that can profoundly shape our perspective on life.

Understanding and accepting the impermanence of everything can free us from fear and attachment and help us live more fully and authentically.

Because when you truly understand that nothing lasts forever, you start to appreciate what you have while you have it.

You learn to live in the moment, cherish your experiences, and let go with grace when it’s time.

4) The trap of constant busyness

In our fast-paced world, busyness has become a badge of honor.

We fill our schedules to the brim, believing that constant activity equates to productivity and success.

However, the harsh truth is that this constant motion often leads to burnout, stress, and a disconnection from what truly matters.

It’s only when we’re mentally and physically exhausted that we realize we’ve been caught in the trap of busyness.

Mindfulness teaches us the importance of slowing down, of taking moments to simply be.

It encourages us to tune in to our bodies and minds, to recognize when we’re overworked and need to take a step back.

Yet, this is a lesson that most people don’t learn until it’s too late. Until they’re burned out and yearning for a simpler, quieter life.

5) The destructive power of ego

If there’s one thing I’ve learned through my studies of Buddhism and mindfulness, it’s the destructive power of the ego.

Ego can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it gives us a sense of identity, but on the other, it can lead to suffering, conflict, and a disconnection from our authentic selves.

Our egos often trick us into believing we’re separate from others, superior even.

It feeds our insecurities and keeps us stuck in patterns of negative thoughts and behaviors.

Most people don’t realize the extent of their ego’s influence until they’re caught in a cycle of negativity and self-sabotage.

It’s only when they hit rock bottom that they start questioning their ego-driven actions.

In my book, “Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego“, I delve deeper into the concepts of Buddhism, mindfulness, and the ego.

It’s a guide to understanding how to live in harmony with your true self and minimize the negative impact of the ego.

6) The pursuit of external validation

In our social media-driven world, it’s easy to get caught up in the chase for external validation.

We gauge our worth based on the number of likes, shares, or positive comments we receive.

We alter our lives – and sometimes ourselves – in a bid to fit into societal expectations and norms.

But here’s the raw truth: chasing external validation is like running on a treadmill.

It’s exhausting, it gets you nowhere, and it never really ends.

Both Buddhism and mindfulness teach us that true contentment and self-worth come from within.

They come from recognizing and accepting our inherent value, irrespective of external validation.

Yet, most people don’t realize this until they’ve spent years seeking approval from others, only to find that it doesn’t bring the happiness they thought it would.

It’s a hard lesson to learn and often comes too late.

But understanding that your worth isn’t defined by others’ opinions or societal standards is a crucial step towards true self-acceptance and inner peace.

It’s about finding joy within yourself, and not in the fleeting validation from the outside world.

7) The paradox of letting go

It’s counterintuitive, but sometimes, the best way to hold onto something is to let it go.

We often cling to our thoughts, emotions, and experiences – both good and bad – believing that holding onto them will give us control or happiness.

But in reality, this clinging only leads to suffering.

Mindfulness teaches us the art of letting go.

It encourages us to experience our thoughts and emotions fully, but not to get attached to them.

Yet, this is a concept most people struggle with. We’re conditioned to believe that letting go means losing, that it means giving up. 

It’s a paradoxical lesson that many don’t realize until it’s too late.

But understanding the power of letting go can be one of the most liberating and transformative realizations in a person’s life.

Final thoughts

We often go through life unaware of these fundamental truths until we’re confronted with a wake-up call.

It’s only then that we realize what’s truly important – living in the present, accepting the impermanence of life, letting go of control, and finding happiness within ourselves.

These lessons can be hard to accept, but they are essential for living a life of peace and fulfillment.

As someone who has studied and practiced mindfulness and Buddhism for years, I can attest to their transformative power.

If you’re keen to dive deeper into these teachings, I invite you to check out my book, “Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego“.

It provides insights into how you can live a more mindful and meaningful life.