Life advice for younger self/younger generations

[WISCY1895]

Like others have said. Invest in your 401K. Max out your employer match and go above that if you can before you have kids. You can always lower your contributions when kids get expensive.

Use some of your disposable income for experiences and not stuff.

Toxic people aren’t worth your time or mental energy

 

[carvers4math]

Addiction destroys bodies, relationships, and futures. Going through the wringer on this with one of my in-laws. If you are relying on some substance to get through the day because you are tired or bored or depressed or whatever, accept help to quit. Watching this pattern of self destruction is heartbreaking and exhausting.

Build people up instead of tearing them down

 

[MLawrence]

Success isn’t linear.

 

[Mr Janny]

Know your worth. Both in business and your personal life. Don't accept less.

This. You can love your job. You can be loyal to your job. But don't ever forget that it's transactional. Don't hesitate to explore your options.

 

[madguy30]

Lots of good stuff but I could tell anyone to learn to do something healthy that they enjoy that goes beyond the confines or restrictions of something organized for you like school, etc.; Playing/learning musical instruments, running/biking/lifetime exercises, camping, gardening, whatever.

-Live by yourself for a long stretch of time. Self sufficiency is a big deal. Along with that, do things by yourself; travel, camp, go to concerts, the empty bar in the afternoon. You can learn a lot about yourself and maybe others too.

-work jobs that lots of other people won't do; bussing/serving tables, stocking shelves at a store, etc. They're good for a back up/side hustle and help develop different skills and an appreciation for how those little 'mini-works' work.

-It's not to be selfish but ALWAYS take care of yourself first and foremost. You can keep yourself steady which makes it easier for when you do need to take care of someone else.

 

[mkadl]

Like others have said. Invest in your 401K. Max out your employer match and go above that if you can before you have kids. You can always lower your contributions when kids get expensive.

Use some of your disposable income for experiences and not stuff.

Toxic people aren’t worth your time or mental energy

This is in my top 5.

 

[FerShizzle]

Be confident. Shake hands and greet people older than you. Act like you belong. Ask questions. Be kind and generous.

 

[BCClone]

Its just as easy to love a rich girl as a poor girl so you might as well marry a rich one. If it doesn’t work, you will at least leave with some nice things.

 

[VeloClone]

Eat weird food. Date outside of your race. Do weird things. Experiences make for an interesting person. Don't be dull

Whenever there is a choice eat at the greasy spoon or Mom and Pop restaurant. Avoid chains. Sure you may get a bad meal, but you also may get the best meal and/or experience of your life. The chain will always be forgetable.

 

[VeloClone]

I thought I did this but I regret not doing it more.

One of my most meaningful documents I own is a 23 page typewritten "Story of My Life" from a great aunt I don't remember ever meeting. I does include much of my grandmother, who she was very close to, but it also paints a picture of life in rural Iowa that seems both inspiring and tragic.

And yes, I'm trying to write something similar. I need to get back to it. I haven't touched it in a couple years.

Yeah, I have a copy of my aunt's memoir (on my Dad's side) and something my cousin wrote up from my uncle's stories (on my Mom's side). There is great stuff about life in rural Iowa in the 40's-90's in one and about life in the Navy in the Pacific theater of WWII in the other.

 

[RealisticCy]

To my younger self: stop caring so much about what other people think of you. Be you.

To others: relatives and family are not at all the same thing. There's a ten year sweetspot from 15 to 25......make it count. Do everything you can to avoid marrying the wrong person.

 

[KnappShack]

Whenever there is a choice eat at the greasy spoon or Mom and Pop restaurant. Avoid chains. Sure you may get a bad meal, but you also may get the best meal and/or experience of your life. The chain will always be forgetable.

Also, be a traveler and not a tourist.

Experience the local food. Don't be the guy who goes to Hawaii and eats at Denny's

Get off the beaten path

 

[cal-cyclone]

I would say don't live your life for someone else's expectations. You can love your family and friends, but you have to find your own path, not a retread of theirs, or their expected path for you. Sometimes that takes a while. Sometimes that means breaking away completely and trying out a new place to live and leaving your safe zone.

If you love doing something, then there are ways to make a living from it.

Above everything be a kind person. Everyone you know is going through, or has gone through some rough stuff. It doesn't cost you anymore to be kind. If we were 'made' for anything it was probably to take care of each other.

 

[madguy30]

Whenever there is a choice eat at the greasy spoon or Mom and Pop restaurant. Avoid chains. Sure you may get a bad meal, but you also may get the best meal and/or experience of your life. The chain will always be forgetable.

Many closed down years ago but I used to love solo trips up north or to the driftless and going to local diners for breakfast.

It was so similar to the town I grew up in so just felt like a really peaceful way to start the day.

 

[Cydaddy]

Make memories. Take chances, but within reason. Most importantly, never lie.

 

[Cyched]

I would say don't live your life for someone else's expectations. You can love your family and friends, but you have to find your own path, not a retread of theirs, or their expected path for you. Sometimes that takes a while. Sometimes that means breaking away completely and trying out a new place to live and leaving your safe zone.

First paragraph resonates. Made a change a few years ago and am glad I finally did.

 

[nfrine]

Stay away from CF advice threads (and politics threads)...

 

[cytor]

Save for retirement EARLY.

Work hard and do great work at your job.

Don't settle when deciding to get married. If you are wondering a little bit, they are the wrong person.

Volunteer. It's rewarding and important to the organization you are giving your time for.

Visit other countries... not with a tour group. Lose yourself in the city/country and really experience it.

Do a good deed every day for someone else.

Last, but not least, .... If she's drunk and wants to make out... you do it.

 

[Acer88]

Remember that there are consequences to everything you do or do not do.

“Just because you can, doesn’t mean that you should!”

This is especially important if there is a possibility of you hurting yourself or others. In a lot of life’s situations, be bold but don’t be reckless.

 

[cycub51]

Those girls that you thought might be flirting with you probably were so take a shot. Also find a different career path but figure out a way to meet your wife still.