There’s so much we don’t know when we’re fresh out of college (or just getting started on an independent life and career) but that’s really the way it’s supposed to be, right?
We learn by doing, and by experiencing things and figuring out what works and what doesn’t, and so expecting young people to be wise beyond their years is usually a disappointing venture.
That said, we love to give advice to those kiddos and it comes from a good place – we want to save them some of the hardships and heartaches that we muddled through firsthand.
These 14 “older” folks are looking back and sharing what they wish they’d known when they were younger – so check out what they have to say.
14. You get more than one chance (at some things).
It’s only “My last chance at ____” If you stop trying.
13. Three great tips.
Your 30s gonna be great, stop trying to be famous too it’s not for everyone.
Also stay up to date with your dentist
12. It might not be exciting, but…
How to make a delicious meal from what ever you happen to have in the fridge.
I’d go so far as to say simple, cheap, healthy cooking. Even something as simple as Rice or noodles, some veg you like and some pork, chicken or beef in a pan with some soy sauce can be filling, healthy and cheap.
Rice and Pasta gives you almost limitless possibilities.
11. Focus on yourself.
Starting the betterment of yourself early on in life has tremendous benefits. I’m talking about stuff like working out your issues; self care; building a good connection with others; developing better social and emotional skills etc.
I’m 37 now, started with all these around 7 years ago, and it greatly improved my life quality. I wish I started this earlier. Would have saved me a lot of headache.
10. Time flies (even when it seems like it doesn’t).
Time really flies. You realize it when one day you think that it is not so long ago you graduated from high school – and then realize it was 20 years ago.
Also, when you are nearly 40 (yes, me), you realize that we are not very different from what we were 15-20 years ago, even though at 20 years old anyone over 30 seemed so old.
Basically we are just more tired and with crappier physics 😀 But luckily that is compensated with the fact that the more years you collect the less you give a fuck about other peoples opinions about you. It is awesome.
9. It’s not a competition.
Be patient with your process. You may not advance at the speed you want to, and that’s okay.
Everyone is different and no one is perfect.
8. You do you.
Be yourself. Weird and different are not bad things, it makes you unique. All of the”cool kids” that set the trend will be irrelevant in 5 years.
Be kind, be genuine and be you.
7. It’s not worth it.
It’s okay to cut off toxic people in your life.
Yes, even family. It’s not worth it.
i wish i had walked away from my toxic family – i wish i could have all that time back. When someone shows you who they are believe them.
6. Nobody knows everything.
“I don’t know” is a fine thing to say when you don’t know.
I was just talking with someone at work about it the other day. I interview a lot of people in my current role, and I will usually try to ask them a technical question that I know they won’t know the answer to off the top of their head.
The people who impress me the most (and get my recommendation to hire them) are the ones who will admit they don’t know the answer, but will look it up and get back to me – and then actually do.
The people who impress me the least will make some shit up.
It’s way better to say “I don’t know, let me get back to you”, especially in a work setting, than to make stuff up.
5. Remind yourself you’re alive.
Stretch. Ok? F**king stretch.
Basic static stretching is fine. Trying to reach your toes, heel to butt, butterfly, things like that. Try to keep it for 20-30 seconds at least.
4. Time isn’t infinite.
You don’t have as much time as you think. Life goes by incredibly fast. Take advantage of every moment. It felt like just yesterday that I was 20 years old.
3. Being fake isn’t worth it.
Stop embellishing to try to impress people. If you have to lie to impress them, they are probably as fake as you are.
It also doesn’t matter if you’re impressive. The sooner you stop worrying about impressing people, the happier you’ll be. People will either like you or they won’t. And that’s okay.
2. We’ve all gotta learn sometime.
When to shut up. Just look around and read the room.
That s*%t burns bridges hon.
1. There are no refunds.
Time is undefeated. Live your life as you see fit because you won’t get refunds on wasted time.
Building long term financial stability is a close second, ironically.
I definitely agree with all of these, so if you’re young, take heed.
If you’ve left your twenties behind, feel free to share more advice in the comments!
