24 Lessons at 24 Years Old

Author

Srikar Karra
May 16, 2025

Welcome to Letters of Wonder — a space to explore the truths behind clarity, creation, and what it means to live a truly wonderful life.

Today is my 24th birthday.

In honor of this, I wanted to share 24 lessons I’ve learned at 24.

If you want to watch the video version (much more detailed), here it is:

1. Presence is the only place life exists.

You only ever had now. Not yesterday and not tomorrow.
I used to live in the future. I was chasing plans, outcomes, and “next steps.” But the more I dropped into presence, the more I felt alive.

There is no past or future. You only ever live in the now. That’s where peace hides.

2. You will change—and that’s a sign you’re growing.

I’ve changed my stance on so many things (like fitness, relationships and values). At first, I felt guilty for switching sides. Now, I see it as proof I’m evolving.

The version of you that holds the same beliefs forever is just clinging to safety.

3. Shoot your shot. The world opens when you do.

I randomly DMed someone I admired… that led to a call, which led to a referral, which led to us working with the Atoms App (by Atomic Habits).

Most people wait for permission. The brave ones just knock.

4. Show love through action, not just words.

Want deeper relationships? Help people reach their dreams.
I realized I couldn’t help others until I helped myself become more stable and present.

True love is being strong enough to lift others.

5. Compounding is invisible… until it isn’t.

5 weeks into my cut, I saw no abs and I almost quit.
Week 6: Visible abs and lost over 5 pounds. Same with business—we lost money for 2 years before things clicked.

Don’t quit in the dark. The light comes right after.

6. You can’t build a powerful network without being a giver.

One client intro'd us to 5+ new ones—but only because we brought insane value first.

Relationships bloom when you stop keeping score.

7. Money isn’t the only form of wealth.

I’d rather make $100K with freedom than $1M stuck in golden handcuffs.
Health, peace, time, and alignment are currencies too.

Chase freedom, not just funds.

8. What you focus on multiplies.

Good or bad, what you obsess over will grow.
Whatever you’re currently focusing on, you will get more of.

Your attention is fertilizer. Be careful where you plant it.

9. Detach from outcomes. Let the self dissolve.

The Gita says: You have a right to your action, not the fruits of it.
When I stopped clinging to results, I started flowing with life.

Less ego, more effort. That’s the path to peace.

10. Do what feels right to you, not only what your friends do.

When I started reading more, obsessing over my diet, or creating content—I got made fun of a little.

Do what feels more right to you and you will attract others who are similar.

11. Sacrifice is the entry ticket to freedom.

I gave up TV, sports, and relationships for 2 years.
That’s how I built the business, flexibility, and more peace.

Sacrifice now, or sacrifice later. Your call.

12. Everyone is fighting a battle you don’t see.

The less self-absorbed you are, the more you understand others.
They’re not rude or lazy. They just have been through things you can’t even see.

They’re doing the best with what they’ve learned. Just as you are.

13. Do what you fear. That’s where the mirror is.

I got a buzz cut this year just to face my fear of being seen without the image I’d built. It made me much more confident. This time, internally.

The thing you fear doing is probably the thing that frees you.

14. Energy doesn’t lie—follow what feels light.

I kept making content just because I enjoyed it. That led to a career. I read every single day for years when I was younger and now that helps me write with clarity.

Your path is carved by what energizes you, not drains you.

15. Systems beat hype. Every time.

Motivation dies fast. But I built a system: same tofu scramble, same protein pancakes, same setup every morning. That’s what kept my diet locked in. Same with my business and routine.

Design your life so success is automatic.

16. Your energy goes where your attention flows.

If you’re split across social media, parties, sports, and work… nothing will really thrive.

Focus is a superpower. Use it wisely.

17. Anything worthwhile takes time.

I’ve written for 6+ months, changed the name multiple times, lost subscribers.
Same with business. Same with lifting.

The long road is the only road that leads somewhere real.

18. You don’t need to fix everyone.

I used to lecture everyone I loved. Then I learned:

Plant seeds. Share stories. Let people come when they’re ready. And learn from others too.

19. Audit your circle. Carefully.

Look at your 5 closest friends. Is that the life you want?
If not, start listening to podcasts, joining new groups, exploring new rooms.

Environment > Willpower.

20. Work on yourself and then put yourself out there.

Once you’re rooted, social life becomes richer (I probably need to do this more).

Being alone with yourself is step 1. Sharing that self is step 2.

21. Silence is the cure.

Walk alone, sit with your thoughts and go hug some trees.

Your inner world won’t speak until the outer world gets quiet.

22. Live from both ends: your future self and your final self.

I imagined my dream life + my 90-year-old self.
That contrast helped me build daily habits aligned with both.

Each day is your life in miniature. Live it with intent.

23. Love more. Serve more. Smile more.

Volunteering with kids with Down syndrome this year and seeing their joy cracked something open in me.

To give is to receive your own humanity back.

24. You will die. Don’t forget that.

That truth used to scare me. Now it grounds me.

Let mortality sharpen your choices. Every moment counts.