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You can look at life as an unending chain of lessons. Some of them we learn incredibly quickly. Others might take dozens of mistakes for us to finally grasp their significance. Hindsight is 20/20 and it’s often hard not to blame your past self for not foreseeing all the consequences of your actions. But that’s life for you. And unless you’ve got a time machine hidden somewhere, all that’s left is either to embrace the hard-won lessons and teach others about them, or to live in regret.
One internet user, u/IndianaC0NES, went viral on the r/AskReddit online community after asking everyone about the important lessons that they had learned the hard way. Many folks were happy to share their wisdom about money, relationships, and health, so that others might avoid the same mistakes that they made. Read on for their advice and upvote the tips that you found the most helpful.
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#2
You can't use logical arguments to change the minds of those who don't value logic.
We firmly believe that it’s never—and we do mean never!—too late to learn from your mistakes. Changing your habits and your lifestyle, that’s something you can do at any point in life.
Would it have been better to have started living a healthy, frugal, and extremely social life years or even decades ago? Sure! But the next best time is to start developing those habits right now. Try not to be too harsh on your past self: you did the best you could with the knowledge, tools, and energy you had at the time.
It’s easy to be critical of yourself for not going to the gym after a long day’s work, but people tend to overestimate their (past and future selves’) willpower, as well as their capacity for change and putting in massive, sustained effort. That’s why making incremental changes works far better than trying to do everything all at once.
#4
Just because a person with authority tells you to do something, doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do.
Loverboy 1 year ago
Terrible people are in every position, especially ones with a lot of authority.
Mike Crow 1 year ago
Problem is now some people will not listen to anyone like police, doctors, teachers, firefighters, and even scientists. Too many are believing conspiracy theories.
Stay Off My Lawn 1 year ago
I get where you’re going, but it’s dangerous to assume that anyone in a position of authority over you automatically has your best interests at heart.
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SkyBlueandBlack 1 year ago
Sounds like a Mark Twain quote. Or maybe Oscar Wilde.
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whatscookin 1 year ago
I see my mother as an authoritative figure. Hard to not to because she is the strict type, and I was molded to follow her orders since I was young. I'm already an adult and yet, it is hard for me to make my own decisions because she always made those decisions for me. I do question her orders sometimes, but I didn't do anything about it. I guess I'm just afraid of having to bear the consequences of obeying my own will.
Jane No Dough 1 year ago
Parents who do everything for you teach you to not trust yourself. Once you start making your own decisions you will learn you are more capable than you imagine right now. If you have any privacy, try keeping a journal. This will help you recognize your strengths and whether you're being gaslighted into self-doubt by family or friends.
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Michael Wilmer 1 year ago
Yup!! Soneone said bleach cures covid. People took bleach. Take a step back and evaluate all statements
Channo Sagara 1 year ago
BUT... Just because a person with authority tells you to do something, doesn't mean it's the wrong thing to do as well. When i was younger I always thought those stupid old f*****s don't know s**t. But after i climbed my way to those spots, i started to understand the reasoning behind those decisions that seemingly idiotic for people at lower positions. Therefore i always try to explain things as thorough as i can whenever i tell people to do those things.
Edward Teague 1 year ago
And often the people that seek to have the most authority are the ones that have no business with having it.
LuLuBelle 1 year ago
You sound like you need to spend less time on social media and more time engaging with real people
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Bronze Republic 1 year ago
One time, when I was new to a job, like 2 weeks in, they did a shot work to celebrate a milestone. I did not drink so instead got a shot of sprite. Well the boss was there and said, "You should pour some out as it can bite ya." I was caught super off guard so I poured half out, at which the whole group laughed. The boss said, "Look, I might be the boss, but sometimes you need to tell me I am wrong." Good way to teach the lesson although I was embarrassed for the next week.
#5
Not everyone is a good person. Some people actually want to see you fail. Stop oversharing. These nasty people will use it against you.
Take me to dinner first 1 year ago
This is something I actually struggle a lot to convince myself! Rationally I know there are bad people, but emotionally, God, how can you be mean or unethical and live with yourself? Dude, I would never be able to intentionally hurt someone or hold something against them
#6
Dumb people get old too, age doesn't equal wisdom, nor does it earn you respect.
No, you won’t fix your messy diet, excessive expenses, and floundering social life all in a day or a week. But over the next few months and years, you can radically change your situation for the better.
So long as the discipline is there. And you can maintain that discipline by genuinely being proud of every victory. No matter how small. Whether it’s remembering to brush your teeth before bed (instead of crashing on the sofa in front of the TV) or getting slightly closer to doing the recommended 10k steps per day.
#7
Using substances to cope is actually the opposite of coping and the only thing you can be sure of is the eventuality of everything blowing up in your face.
139 days sober.
#8
Your family doesn't always have your best interest at heart.
#9
Making jokes about my trauma makes my trauma easier for me to deal with.
Making jokes about the trauma of others is f****d up and not my place.
Previously, fitness coach Anna Armagno Toussaint shared some great health tips to keep in mind as we all get older. According to her, the key to fitness and diet is consistency. That’s what lies at the core of healthy living.
"Losing and gaining the same weight is so bad for your body (and mental health). Focus on what you can, even if it's just drinking enough water or eating one serving of vegetables! And move a little even if that starts as stepping in place or simple short walks,” the fitness expert shared with Bored Panda during an earlier interview.
#10
1000 is not a lot of money to have but is a lot of money to owe.
"It is so important to improve your sleep hygiene: turn down the temperature in your room, turn off your phone and all screens an hour before bed, keep the room neat, and get at least 7 hours! Sleep impacts so much of our motivation and energy levels, even days after a rough night," she shared.
"Pick one thing to start, stop, or swap. Take a daily walk in the morning or evening (or whenever you want, but I prefer when it is cooler), drink more water (set a timer if you're not good about and add in a fun liquid or powder or flavored seltzer if you don't like water), or focus on eating more whole foods (especially vegetables and fruit),” the fitness coach said that it through all the “little victories” that you’ll get where you want to be.
#13
if something feels wrong, it likely is.
#14
Don't let love blind your eyes, red flags are real.
#15
Dental care is expensive!! Never be lazy with oral hygiene.
#16
Learn when to stop drinking and call it a night.
Michael P (Perthaussieguy) 1 year ago
I learned at an early age (late teens) that I can't drink enough to get drunk. My stomach/body reaches a certain point before it rejects all I have ingested. So, I can enjoy alcohol up to a certain point but then I have to stop. In now in my 60's and it still applies. Every now and then I'll have one drink too many (thinking I hadn't reached that point yet) and... well, up it all comes. Good and bad, I guess.
#17
Stand up for yourself. If you get in the habit of letting people walk all over you, it'll be extremely difficult to reverse. Even if you're not confident, just fake it till you make it!
Directionless 1 year ago
Be honest, not polite. You will be able to live with yourself afterwards.
#18
Never have kids with someone you don’t want in your life forever.
#19
Always take a chance to tell someone you love them. To give them a hug.
Never end a conversation on a harsh word.
Both for the same reason. **You never know if you will get to see that person alive again.**
I learned both those lessons from each of my parents.
#20
Sometimes bad things happen to good people.
S**t happens and it doesn't really need to have a reason.
Sometimes you will be the bad guy, and sometimes you will be the good guy.
It happens.
#22
Money doesn’t exist until the deposit hits your bank account and business promises mean nothing until legal documents are signed
#24
Don’t marry someone with mental illness that refuses treatment.
#25
Do not spend like there’s no tomorrow. Tomorrow will come and it won’t be pretty.
#26
Don't ignore red flags. Don't be afraid to get help for dealing with an abusive partner. Don't be afraid to walk away.
#27
WEAR A HELMET
It's an easy safety precaution you can take when rollerblading, biking, skateboarding, scootering etc. And it can literally save your life
Went all through the 90's thinking helmets were lame... Fell while rollerblading in my 30's and got a subdural hematoma, I wasn't going fast but the momentum from how I fell just slammed my head into concrete.
HELMETS SAVE LIVESSSS
#29
There’s always other jobs out there. Don’t stay in a s****y one just cuz you think no one else would hire you.
#30
You are not your emotions. You are an awareness who observes them.
What do you think ?
Agnes Jekyll 1 year ago
If you are constantly walking on eggshells around your partner, you need to have a serious conversation, or many, or you need to get out--but something has to change.
Wintermute 1 year ago
Mike Birbiglia, the comedian, has a profoundly important piece of advice that he named a whole show for. It's called "What I Should Have Said Was Nothing," and it'll change your life.
Cat Bessing 1 year ago
What people say when they are drunk is likely the truth, especially if the next day they say "but I was drunk when I said that"
VegasMade09 1 year ago
Bad people are capable of doing good things, it doesn't make them good or trustworthy people. Good people can mess up and make a bad decision and do something awful, It doesn't make them a bad person.
Agnes Jekyll 1 year ago
If you are constantly walking on eggshells around your partner, you need to have a serious conversation, or many, or you need to get out--but something has to change.
Wintermute 1 year ago
Mike Birbiglia, the comedian, has a profoundly important piece of advice that he named a whole show for. It's called "What I Should Have Said Was Nothing," and it'll change your life.
Cat Bessing 1 year ago
What people say when they are drunk is likely the truth, especially if the next day they say "but I was drunk when I said that"
VegasMade09 1 year ago
Bad people are capable of doing good things, it doesn't make them good or trustworthy people. Good people can mess up and make a bad decision and do something awful, It doesn't make them a bad person.
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