20 Magical Life Lessons you learn from Harry Potter

Table of Contents

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Updated August 2023.

Good morning, lovely dreamer, and welcome to another 20 life lessons blog post here on the DoB blog!

Can You believe it's been more than 20 years since it all started? Now it's not just the first book that has a right to drink, it's some of the movies as well.

For us, the 90's kids, this is the year we realize we are damn old! It feels like it was yesterday when we saw the first book in a library...

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Do you remember the first time you read Harry Potter?

I always like to say that I grew up in the magical world of Harry Potter together with him and the gang, and looking at how big of an empire this has become, I'm not the only one.

But why?

Why did the story of this small, scrawny child with a lightning scar on his forehead and round glasses enchant us all? Was it because he survived Voldemort? Maybe his (mother's) eyes? Or the fact that he started out clueless about who he was, and we saw him develop into one of the greatest wizards of all time because of everyone else around him?

To be honest, I personally think it was all of the above, and so much more.

The world that JK Rowling put together is so enchanting that you can't help yourself but to let it suck you in completely. I still read the books once in a while and in July we must have a Harry Potter + Fantastic Beasts movie marathon! Are we the only ones?

What Hogwarts house are you in?  

Because we are proud Ravenclaws, we thought it was only fitting to make a special article with 20 of our favourite collections of life lessons that we learned from the books and the movies that apply even now (or especially now) that we are adults.

You know we're all about personal development, with a geeky twist, so we just couldn't help ourselves.

But enough with the chit-chatting, let's get to it!

20 Magical Life Lessons you learn from Harry Potter

About oneself:

  1. "It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be.” Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

It's simple. It doesn't matter what your start in life looks like, it matters who you become. In your 20's is when you define who you really are. Now is the time to create a strong basis for your adult life, or reinvent yourself if you must.

Take this time to educate yourself, especially in financial education - not just school. Especially if you want to travel and live a life you love.

2. "Just be yerself. I know it’s hard. Yeh’ve been singled out, an’ that’s always hard." ― Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

3. “I am what I am an’ I’m not ashamed. ‘Never be ashamed,’ my ol’ dad used ter say, ‘there’s some who’ll hold it against you, but they’re not worth bothern’ with.’” –The Goblet of Fire

When Hagrid said these, it hit me right in the core. I was always a geeky rocker that didn't fit anywhere. I was either too chubby or too tall for friends or love. I was a misfit with a naive mind.. or so I thought.  

You see, the second you stop trying to be anything but yourself, you will find your place, your people. Be proud of who you are!

4. “The world isn’t split into good people and Death Eaters. We’ve all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That’s who we really are.” –The Order of the Phoenix

This makes you think about all those times you could have been mean to someone but decided not to act on it, doesn't it? It also makes me think of how grey the world is. Nothing is black or white. It's every shade in between.

5. “It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” ― Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

What I like to take from this, is that what we do in life, and how we choose to act, or what path we take are the ones that others will care about, not necessarily our skills.

Life in general:

via GIPHY

6. “Let us step into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure.” –The Half-Blood Prince

The exact moment you move out for the first time feels exactly like this - the adventure begins! Still, it's the best decision every young adult can make. And the sooner you do it, the better it will be in the long run, trust me.

7. “Thoughts could leave deeper scars than almost anything else.” –Ron quoting Madam Pomfrey, The Order of the Phoenix

Stop overthinking things or beating yourself down, please! Nothing good comes from any of these two actions. just time wasted and low self-esteem.

8. “Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

We all see life through our perspective, and only ours - that doesn't mean that if you see something I didn't, that's not true. But be careful how you express this and don't use it as an excuse for your actions - especially in a relationship.

9. “Things we lose have a way of coming back to us in the end, if not always in the way we expect.” – Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Somehow, this brings consolation. Like Karma. It's either a life lesson in there or something else.

10. “If you want to know what a man’s like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals” – Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

This is an important life lesson for every entrepreneur and future entrepreneur, especially. Be the one that treats even the person in the lowest job level with the same respect that you treat the ones you consider your equals.

That's the gal/guy everyone loves and respects!

In other words, don't be a Malfoy, damn it.

11. “Curiosity is not a sin…but we should exercise caution with our curiosity.” –The Goblet of Fire

It's okay to want to know more, but try not to get yourself lost in the pursuit of knowledge. Don't do it all at once!

Just think about it this way. Let's say you have decided to start a blog for example. At first, you're intrigued, but then, you find that there are people that make huge money with it. You must know more! and more! and more!

And you know what happens next? You get sucked into a vortex of information and get a freaking headache because of all there is out there. And then you get discouraged...

This is why you need to be careful when curiosity hits. Learn to dose it.

12. “The truth.” Dumbledore sighed. “It is a beautiful and terrible thing, and should, therefore, be treated with great caution.” –The Sorcerer’s Stone

You know how it is, especially in circles of friends. Sometimes it's just hard as fuck to be honest, even to your bestie.

Goals:

13. “It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.” ― Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

This is super important for us, especially because our motto is:"Dream. Follow. Do". Yes, it's okay to dream, but don't just dream... Do something to reach that dream, no matter how long it takes! Create a plan, and follow it. Take breaks. Be patient. One day at a time.

14. "You sort of start thinking anything’s possible if you’ve got enough nerve."― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter, and the Half-Blood Prince

You can do anything if you truly want it. J.K. Rowling is a perfect example. She went from being broke and borderline homeless to becoming a hundred millionaire. Yes, it did not happen overnight. Yes, it was hard at first. But every good thing that's worth it is that way. The courage to dream, and do something will make even the impossible, possible.

True, it didn't happen overnight, but none of the great things do!

Friends and Relationships:

15. "Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
If you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind."
― Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

We are both proud Ravenclaws here (shout-out to all the Ravenclaws!). It's okay to be different! You know, in Transylvania there is a saying, that translated goes something like this: "Those who are alike get together". And that's exactly what this is about.

If you didn't find your tribe, you know, your true friends by the time you hit your 20's, don't despair. Now is the perfect time to find them!

16. “It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.” ― Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Sometimes you will disagree with your friends and that's perfectly fine! You're awesome for standing your ground. And guess what? Your friends will respect you for that.

17. “After all this time?” “Always,” said Snape.” ― Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

True love lasts forever. That's all we can say on this matter.

Being positive:

18.“Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times if only one remembers to turn on the light” – Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Lumos! There is always a little bit of light in every dark situation. Even if you don't have a Deluminator from Dumbledore, you must try to see the good part.

The best example I can give you is my reaction to my grandfather's and father's passing. They passed away after two hard battles with cancer. I was devastated, we all were. But, in all that shitstorm of sadness, depression, and tears, I was relieved. They weren't in pain anymore. Even though we still are sometimes missing them.

As hard as it may be in the moment, try to find and focus on the good side of things.

19.“Harry, suffering like this proves you are still a man! This pain is part of being human … the fact that you can feel pain like this is your greatest strength.” – Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

This is a perfect quote to remember every time you go through a breakup, or someone dear passes away, or any other painful experience you might have in your life, especially in your 20s when you're adapting to so much!

And... of course, what do you do when in doubt?

20."Keep calm and go to the library." ― Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Read! Never stop educating yourself and self-improve. You'll always find your answers in books. From e-books to hardcover all the solutions are in the library. Be it financial education, improving a skill or learning a new one. there's always (at least) a book for your query.

And that's all for today, lovely dreamers! We hope you enjoyed our list of 20 magical life lessons learned from Harry Potter we put together for you. If you loved it, don't forget to share it, pin it, tweet it!

QOTD: What are your favourite magical life lessons from Harry Potter?

Maya Butterfly

Hey there! I'm Maya. A dreamer, a wannabe entrepreneur (learning to be a good one as we speak), a witch, a cat mom, a wife, a geek. I am a proud Ravenclaw and also love fantasy books and movies. Welcome to our corner of the interwebs!

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