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35 People Share What They Thought Was A Useless Piece Of Advice, But Changed Their Minds After Trying It

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Who doesn’t hate a piece of random advice coming straight at you with full force of unneeded impact? If there's anything the world would be better off without, it would be unsolicited advice.

But in reality, these wisdom bites from colleagues, friends, and whoever feels confident enough to throw one out are so common, you wonder how come they’re still legal. And one Reddit user u/5000Castillo decided to find out whether some of the advice is actually useful.

The question “What felt like a useless piece of advice until you actually tried it?” which, at first, seemed to be crossing the line, got almost 60K upvotes and a whopping 20.2K comments. The answers are in, and you will be surprised to hear the results.

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#1

My dad always told me ‘Ask anyway, the worst they can say is no’ when buying something or when I needed something from another person. Seemed stupid to ask if I was sure they would say no but I was also a socially anxious kid. Turns out that advice has helped me with school, with raises, with people in general, with plans with new friends...

astrocanyounaut Report

Final score:

289points

Daria B 4 years ago

Now, this one is deep. I like this piece of advice.

78points

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#2

Instead of saying, "I'm sorry for being late," or something,

say, "thank you for being patient"

Didn't realize the effect that could have on people, and instead of putting yourself down, you bring another up.

TheOne-SidedCoin Report

Final score:

289points

Andrew Gibb 4 years ago

Thank you for your patience as a sign off when I am late submitting a task works wonders

38points

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#3

Its better to lose a second of your life than to lose your life in a second.

People on the road need to just slow down a little. It’ll save your life

alphalegend91 Report

Final score:

262points

Scagsy 4 years ago

Good one. Also, you are not as safe as you think you are in your easily crushable sheet metal and plastic box

79points

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Bored Panda reached out to Dr. Audrey Tang, a chartered psychologist and the author of "Be A Great Manager Now" and "The Leader's Guide to Mindfulness," to find out more about unsolicited advice and what to do when you get a piece of it.

Audrey suggests viewing such advice as if it were a physical gift: “just because it’s offered, it doesn’t mean we have to accept it.” For this reason, the psychologist urges us to “never upset yourself over the opinion of someone from whom you have not asked advice.”

Moreover, Audrey believes that not all unsolicited advice is useless, especially “if it has come from someone who has experience within the subject matter.”

She said that if advice comes with examples, or evidence, or ways in which you can further research the area in question, it can indeed be very helpful. “This is true of forums too,” she added.

#4

Clean as you cook, dishes right away, and 10 minutes every day walking through the house picking things up/organizing.

So much better than hours of cleaning on one day

Olive767 Report

Final score:

241points

Sethurama Iyer 4 years ago

My mom does this. It's much more productive and you have a cleaner work space

77points

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#5

Compliment people behind their backs. Sounds stupid but works wonders.

La_Lechuga Report

Final score:

222points

Elsker 4 years ago

maybe it's more about sending positive energy instead of gossiping or worse?

71points

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#6

Just don't drink today. Surely you can do that. Then just repeat.

It's been 19+ years.

Final score:

222points

Malakai 4 years ago

That's amazing! Kudos to you :) May you have another 20 years sober to be proud of, one day at a time

72points

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However, as a psychologist, Audrey doesn't give advice unless it is sought (and paid for), “mainly because in most unsolicited contexts, there is no time to get into depth with any issue and I wouldn't want any form of misunderstanding on either part.”

The psychologist explains that unsolicited advice may have come because “someone thought it was solicited.” Other times, it comes from people “who are bored, or who want a distraction from dealing with things going on in their own lives.”

Audrey gave an example: “Rather than working on my own marriage, I might focus on giving relationship advice to others,” some think.

#7

Directly expressing my needs instead of hinting.

grapesofap Report

Final score:

215points

Steve Barnett 4 years ago

Being Aspergic I totally get this. Do not hint to me, I. WILL. JUST. NOT. GET. IT. EVER. You have to tell me directly what you want/need etc.

137points

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#8

On my wedding day my Grandmother said to me "Never do anything around the house that you don't plan on doing for life". At the time I thought it was a terrible advice. When I was mowing the lawn at 7 1/2 months pregnant I got what she meant.

janfleury Report

Final score:

215points

Maria 4 years ago

I needed this advice years ago!

66points

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#9

Cleanining your house before leaving for more than 5 days. Nothing is better than coming to a clean house.

Saturnwithasunroof Report

Final score:

214points

zims 4 years ago

At the very least take out the trash, do your dishes/laundry and make your bed. Remove anything that could stink up the place or prevent you from coming home and flopping down for a nap.

100points

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Another theory on why some of us are so drawn to throwing out advice here and there comes down to the evolutionary aspect of humans living in communities.

Audrey explained: “We are fundamentally social creatures—in the past, we would have had to rely on our society to keep us safe—so we are likely to have an awareness of how to 'fit in' and a sense of unpleasantness when we do not.”

If we’re at odds with others, we may feel guilt. The psychologist summed up that “this can drive us to 'make comments' if it looks like someone is not fitting in.”

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#10

My grandfather told me this and I never understood it until I had my own place. Always buy the cheap tools at first and if you wear it out/break it then you use it enough to justify getting a nicer more expensive one.

the-silliest-goose Report

Final score:

210points

Johnny 4 years ago

I always buy the midrange tools, and never buy the cheap tools -- they don't work as well (cheap wrenches have looser tolerances and don't fit bolts well, screwdrivers slip out of screw heads, etc). It's not that much more money and well worth it in better usability. My brother broke a finger once with a cheap wrench, he was trying to get a stubborn bolt off his lawnmower, the wrench broke and his hand slammed into the side of the lawnmower.

99points

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#11

Pay bills, SAVE, then spend.

all_in_this_together Report

Final score:

207points

Laura Jones 4 years ago

people dont seem to do this anymore but they should to be financially sound

46points

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#12

When you’re stressed, make a to do list. I was always like, I KNOW WHAT NEEDS TO GET DONE I JUST CANT DO IT ALL. But if you write it down it doesn’t have to all live in your brain and you can focus.

Mybuttfelloff Report

Final score:

204points

Christophe Beunens 4 years ago

you also get some happy-hormones when you scratch a thing of your list. Gives you energy for the next tasks

106points

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#13

Leftie loosie, rightie tightie

JustJeff236 Report

Final score:

203points

Mica Fiverline 4 years ago

Since I learned this, I constantly use it^^ Used to be a clutz who forgets which direction unscrews stuff^^

55points

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#14

Just shut up and listen. Actually listen.

Too many people don't know how to just listen without thinking that they have to add to the conversation. No just stop. You don't have to add anything. You are not helping. You aren't even paying attention to wait is being said because you are thinking of what you can say.

curlyquinn02 Report

Final score:

195points

WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago

And a lot of people are talking without thinking. Just count their "Ehh"s "Hmm"s" and "Ahum"s

38points

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#15

If it takes less than 5 minutes, do it immediately

I do so much less housework on weekends because of this

somefredkid Report

Final score:

190points

Sethurama Iyer 4 years ago

Yes, as my pilates instructor famously says, "it's only five minutes of your life!"

31points

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#16

Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want.

fiddlesdevil Report

Final score:

181points

Scagsy 4 years ago

One sentence wisdom - my favourite kind!

31points

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#17

Practice gratitude. Grateful people are happy people.

Final score:

181points

Andrew Gibb 4 years ago

Thank you for the tip. I am very grateful you shared it with us.

74points

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#18

My mom told me to spend good money on the things that separate you from the ground: tires, shoes, mattress. I finally bought good not cheap shoes and life was SIGNIFICANTLY better. They last so much longer and my back and posture improved too. She’s not wrong about tires and a mattress either

KalePanic- Report

Final score:

181points

Malakai 4 years ago

I'm overweight and I have problems in one of my feet from wearing cheap shoes to work all the time. I finally shelled out about $80 for a good pair of work shoes and, good gods, the difference it made. My hips, my knees, my ankles, my back, and my heel all felt SO much better. I used to blame it all on my weight, and while it still gives me problems, having proper support really makes all the difference

111points

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#19

Unclench your jaw, open your hands, drop your shoulders, and breathe in.

Final score:

163points

Maryam Siddiqui 4 years ago

it actually rlly does work, i felt def more relaxed

31points

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#20

If you dont have anything nice to say, dont say nothing at all.

People dont wanna hear "Eww, yuck, you like that?" When referring to someone's food for example.

DitaVonThese Report

Final score:

160points

Anam 4 years ago

This I live by too. And believe, silence is way better than just muttering about.

44points

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#21

This too shall pass. On those days when I just feel like I can't take it I think of that, and I know tomorrow will be different. Someone once told me, "tomorrow may not be better, but at least it'll be different." In a strange way that too is comforting.

Final score:

151points

Sethurama Iyer 4 years ago

There was a story where a king (Akbar) asked his advisor (Birbal) what slogan he should write in the entrance of the palace that makes people happy and sad at the same time. He chose "This too shall pass," because it reminds a sad person that better things are on their way, yet prevents a person from being too indulgent in their happiness.

66points

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#22

My therapist told me the next time I'm going to have a panic attack to just give in and tell myself it was ok to have one . I told him he was crazy. After a couple tries it started working to my amazement. I haven't had a panic attack in 3 years

Donkey0394 Report

Final score:

149points

ChimeraBubbles 4 years ago

Yeah, if more people had been given permission to feel okay to panic or be scared there would be less anxiety and fewer panic attacks all round.

58points

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#23

If you have body image issues, find one even very small thing you like about yourself. My starting point was a freckle in the middle of my left hand. Whenever you’re feeling bad about yourself, remember you like that ONE thing. Find a new small thing to like about once a month if you can. It becomes easier to find things, and eventually easier to like yourself, in my experience. Thanks for that advice, Mom.

Final score:

148points

Daria B 4 years ago

This was kind of how I figured I like my husband before we got together. He was nice to talk to, but it wasn't love at first sight. But when I got to know him, I noticed detail after detail, until I finally came to the realisation (didn't take me long, though, to be honest). And now it's been 2+10 years, and counting, that we're together. Glad it didn't take me too long to find out how I feel. ♡

50points

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#24

Be yourself.

The less you care what people think and the more real you are, the more people start to like you.

velour_manure Report

Final score:

137points

Miss Cris 4 years ago

This isn't true. Some people will be atracted to you and others will leave you. But you'll stay with the good ones.

81points

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#25

"Your gums bleed when you floss because you don't floss enough"

Turns out if you floss enough, your gums won't be inflamed so they don't bleed when you floss

smityhasnwrth43 Report

Final score:

128points

Mary 4 years ago

Now I must try this one, dammit :)))

19points

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#26

Smiling at people. You can get a lot just from a simple smile.

Cocoapuff2470 Report

Final score:

115points

Kesam 4 years ago

I generally agree but this depends on the culture. Smiling and other such signals can mean completely different things in other cultures.

33points

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#27

Keeping my shoulders back. It was a suggestion I saw for preventing panic/anxiety. Idk what it is, but when your shoulders are in that position it gives some strange feeling of control. I also read somewhere that during panic attacks the body basically wants to curl into fetal position for protection, so I feel like focusing on keeping your arms down and shoulders back is a conscious way to go against that and stay grounded in reality. Works for me, could work for you too.

coralclouds Report

Final score:

112points

My O My 4 years ago

Very good advice! I'll give it a try

18points

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#28

Go to the bathroom first thing after having sex.

rozeboos Report

Final score:

107points

Foxxy (The Original) 4 years ago

This is especially important for females as not cleaning after intercourse can cause UTI’s.

85points

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#29

Fill your tank all the way up instead of a little at a time.

Final score:

107points

Johnny 4 years ago

I thought the reason people did this was because they didn't have enough money to fill the tank, so this one could be written as "Have more money"

93points

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#30

Life is really much easier if you clean your workplace/room. I clean my room often and it makes me feel calm and clears my head.

Final score:

101points

Kaspar Kristiansen 4 years ago

Subjective advice, no doubt. For some it might work, for others not so much.

30points

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#31

I'm not great at this one, but "don't look for a happy life, look for happy moments".

sevenonone Report

Final score:

98points

$copper-fractions avatar$

Tiny Dynamine 4 years ago

Ooh, no, not really. Happy moments can be good, but ones like buying new clothes for the excitement will fade away quickly and leave you needing another fix. Wave goodbye to your money and you might become less financially secure. You need to look for profound happiness, so that you will feel good about your life in general. For this, do hobbies, be creative, help people, exercise. This is when you will notice the change within yourself.

20points

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#32

Using a stool to lift my feet into a squatting position to poo. What a difference!

Lt_H_Anderson Report

Final score:

90points

slackjack 4 years ago

"Using a stool...." Kind of ironic, wouldn't you say?

113points

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#33

Unpack your suitcase the second you get home.

shitstickdotcom Report

Final score:

90points

Foxxy (The Original) 4 years ago

Nope, don’t think I will ever do this lol. When I get home that is one of the last things I want to do.

53points

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#34

Not taking your cellphone into bed with you. After awhile you will sleep much easier without the distraction and blue light shining straight into your eyes before bed.

Mr_Impossibro Report

Final score:

76points

80 Van 4 years ago

Then how would I have learned this advice?

96points

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#35

If you have nausea, suck on an ice cube. The nausea will go down.

willcorrectu Report

Final score:

73points

kate h 4 years ago

If you're starting to get the pre-puke mouthful of saliva, stand over the sink and spit it out. Keep spitting if it keeps accumulating. This prevents me from puking 99% of the time. The sink is better than spitting in the toilet, as the mere proximity and close up view makes my stomach think it's ok to let loose. The bathroom sink is far enough away yet close enough to the toilet for the rare time spitting doesn't work.

38points

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#36

Befriend those little people, the janitor, the delivery guy, the server, and the dishwasher.

You never know when they might pull your ass out of the fire.

AdjutantStormy Report

Final score:

36points

Scagsy 4 years ago

Be nice to everyone on the way up as you may also meet them on the way down. - proverb

5points

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#37

Don't half ass two things. Whole ass one thing.

EquanimousThanos Report

Final score:

35points

Anam 4 years ago

Whole a*s 😁 sometimes English just sucks at expression !

3points

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#38

Don't suffer future pain. In other words, worrying about all the stuff that could happen stops you from doing things and worse, turns potential pain into actual worry and mental pain.

0nlyhalfjewish Report

Final score:

33points

WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago (edited)

There's a Dutch saying "People suffer most from the suffering they fear. " ( De mens lijdt het meest van het lijden dat hij vreest.)

16points

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#39

In regards to dating: "You'll find someone when you're not looking".

Sounds like total bs, but it's proven true for me a few times.

Final score:

33points

zims 4 years ago

I haven't been looking for 30 years and I'm still single. :|

28points

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#40

Teacher here.

When you're texting/emailing between colleagues, friends, etc. don't put anything you wouldn't say to their face in writing. If you have it in writing they've got something physical they can hold against you or gossip about.

Even if the door is closed, speak quietly if you're going to vent. Your coworkers can probably hear you clear down the hallway if you're bitching after-hours. Take it down to a whisper.

CC your admin on every email asking a professional question to anybody else or in any conversation in which the slightest bit of conflict could arise.

If you don't trust one of your coworkers, don't say a word to them beyond basic greetings. Trust your gut. Sit quietly in the lounge at lunch.

If you think something is wrong, speak up. You probably aren't the only one to notice and your voice does make a difference.

Ephemeral_Halcyon Report

Final score:

33points

Anna McHugh 4 years ago

And as another teacher - if you're going through all of that at work, you should probably look for another job. I sure did.

28points

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#41

Faking confidence to become more confident.

Final score:

32points

ThreeOfAKind 4 years ago

But don’t try and look too confident or you might come off as arrogant

8points

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#42

Before I do anything I ask myself, “Would an idiot do that?” And if the answer is yes, I do not do that thing.

EmotionalRangeOfTsp Report

Final score:

32points

WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago

Please apply for a job as a personal adviser in the White House.

23points

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#43

Exercising helping with depression and anxiety. It's not a cure all and I needed to be on meds to get to the point where I could do it, but it really does help me. I've been off my meds now for over a year (under doctors supervision don't stop taking your meds unless you run it by your doctor) and when I can't exercise for a few days, I can feel the depression and anxiety coming back. Now instead of going through a million things I did wrong in my head, I run for 3 miles or lift some heavy stuff.

pupsnpogonas Report

Final score:

31points

Scagsy 4 years ago

Great if it works for you - keep doing it. I was a professional athlete when I was diagnosed with depression so it doesn't work for everybody

14points

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#44

When you're trying to fall asleep and your mind is racing thinking about a million things at once, making it impossible to fall asleep, do this:

1.Pick a letter of the alphabet
2.Count to 8
3.When you get to 8, think of a word that starts with your letter
4.Count to 8 again
5.Think of a different word that starts with that letter
6.Repeat ad nauseum
You'll distract your brain and bore it to sleep.

old_gold_mountain Report

Final score:

30points

Daria B 4 years ago

So, basically, counting sheep.

9points

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#45

I had a problem looking at people’s shoulders while they were speaking instead of their face. I told a coworker my problem who said “well just look at their ears, nobody can tell the difference”. Life changing, seriously, no one can tell the difference.

theycallmetangerine Report

Final score:

28points

Lousha 4 years ago

This advice totally works. However I'm always annoyed by the fact that we cling so much to generalised ideas like "those who don't maintain eye contact are dishonest/untrustworthy". I'm sure that's true to some. But for example more introverted people can listen/pay attention a lot better if they are not forced to stare at the one speaking. Others are simply shy and are more comfortable looking away. There are also overactive people who feel "trapped" if they just have to stare and not do anything, they can have a better conversation while fumbling/fidgeting with something. We're not all the same.

18points

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#46

Giving small compliments to people right when you think it makes both them and you happy. Think that girls skirt is cute? Tell her!

SaucyMoonbeams Report

Final score:

28points

Laugh or not 4 years ago

But be careful you don't come out as a creep. Our society is not wired for gratuitous kindness, unfortunately.

19points

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#47

That Forest app. It grows a tree for up to 2 hours and during that time, you can't access any apps you think will distract you. If you wanna open a distracting app, you'd have to kill your tree. All your trees, dead or alive, appear in a little forest. I have always had trouble motivating myself to focus on homework and not look at Reddit/YouTube, but this app is just enough guilt to not open them. I haven't killed anything yet and I'm surprised at how much I can care about a small virtual tree. People told me about it and I just completely assumed that I'd never use it or it wouldn't work for me considering how distractible I am, but it works wonders

maxthechuck Report

Final score:

27points

Malakai 4 years ago

As someone with ADHD, I will definitely try this :o

9points

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#48

As someone with a phobia of needles my entire life, I finally (30 years in) had a nurse tell me to ask for a spare alcohol pad and sniff it right as I’m about to get jabbed. She said the harsh smell is enough of a distraction to keep your mind off the needle. I was there for a flu shot, so I got to try it out right away; I wasn’t expecting much, but it worked! Ive been doing it ever since, and have no trouble with shots or blood draws now, which is huge for someone they’ve triggered panic attacks and near fainting in, before.

Sylfaein Report

Final score:

26points

Miss Cris 4 years ago

I had read "phobia of noodles" ;)

6points

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#49

Celebrate the small things in life because if you wait for the big things, you might be waiting for a long time.

Final score:

26points

Eagle Girl 4 years ago

One of my mom's fave authors Erma Bombeck said when she had a serious illness, She wondered why she was saving that candle or bottle of wine for a special occasion, When she could have made any day special by sharing the thing she was saving.

2points

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#50

You're not hungry you're thirsty!

I would eat a big meal and wonder why I still felt hungry.. It is because I wasn't drinking a glass of water with my meal. Now if I notice I am hungry after eating normal portions I have a glass of water and wait 5 minutes before I continue eating.

IamLukeDaniel Report

Final score:

25points

Sander 4 years ago

You probably are just eating too fast. Generally, it takes about 20 minutes for your digestive system to 'notice' you have eaten. It doesn't really matter how much you eat, it just takes a while. Drinking might slow your pace down.

12points

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#51

Put on your own oxygen mask first.

You can’t help anyone effectively if you’re not OK yourself. I was always self sacrificing - to the point of being hospitalized for exhaustion. I’d always been told to give till it hurts and then push through the pain to give more, and so that’s what feels natural, and anything else is pure selfishness.

A great therapist told me that I’m good at helping but I have to be at least at a baseline before I’m effective, and, oh, it makes everything so much better.

anaximander Report

Final score:

25points

Deidre Snee 4 years ago

A car can't run if you don't fill the gas tank...

4points

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#52

If you want to write a novel, just start writing. Don’t plan, just get words on paper.

tenpercentofnothing Report

Final score:

24points

Anam 4 years ago

That can be said for any process you want to start . As they say, motivation doesn't bring forth actions, it's actually the other way around.

8points

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#53

Flip a coin and choose the one you're hoping for. I don't even have to flip a coin now and I'm way more decisive!

eventstranspired Report

Final score:

23points

Daria B 4 years ago

Advice by Two Face. ♡ (Batman heard a lot of these)

4points

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#54

If you feel like quitting then just tell yourself that the story doesn't end this way. Sounds cliche, but you decide when your story ends when you stop trying. You may fail, but you will not fail today. Don't let the story end this way.

PeytonBrees Report

Final score:

23points

Miss Cris 4 years ago

It helped to me.

2points

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#55

Spend a lot of money on a mattress, they said

It'll be great, they said.

Couldn't afford it until I bought the house, but damn if they weren't all absolutely right. 10/10 would splurge again, and will in a few years.

shinypretty Report

Final score:

22points

Lynda Momalo 4 years ago

IDK -- I bought one of those relatively cheap "mattresses in a box" memory foam things and I've never been happier.

2points

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#56

Going to therapy.

I'm a guy. I'm emotionally stable, so I thought it was a pointless idea. Went with my ex-gf, in order to work out problems in our relationship (mostly on her end). I learned so much about myself and got some amazing life advice. 10/10

YepThatLooksInfected Report

Final score:

21points

Christine Holl 4 years ago

I agree that therapy is great, but adding "mostly on her end" makes it sound like the therapy didn't fully hit home...

25points

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French Diver’s “Jewels” In Tight Swimming Trunks Become Talk Of The Town At Olympics

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#57

Turn it off and turn it back on

AbysmalVixen Report

Final score:

19points

Nagawa (Cofa) Kishiki 4 years ago

Don't ever try that if you are doing data recovery or anything of that sort. Cause it will never come back "on".

17points

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#58

Putting cold water on freshly shaved skin will make it so you don't get ingrown hairs.

Some of the best advice I've ever received.

VHStape89 Report

Final score:

19points

Wubbleyew 4 years ago

This sure doesn't work for me. So I'll just rock the perpetual 5 o'clock shadow

6points

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#59

Leave your shoes by the door.

Sounds obvious to people from certain cultures or climates but it was never part of my routine growing up. I had some asian room mates and was astonished at the knock on effects this little habit has for cleanliness and comfort.

lowey2002 Report

Final score:

19points

Malakai 4 years ago

Or get a pair of shoes that are JUST for walking around the house, and never step foot outside in them if you can help it. If you have pets you will thank yourself at 3am in the dark for this

10points

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#60

Once begun is half done.

I am a terrible procrastinator by nature. I have totally done the "well now it 5:02 so I have to wait until 6:00 to start cleaning" and I like making things seem like Soo much work that I can't possibly do them unless I take time off of work. In reality if you just start a project without thinking about it you can get everything done in like fifteen minutes a day and it's never really that bad.

stabatha_christie Report

Final score:

17points

Eagle Girl 4 years ago

So True! Best thing for me to come from quarantine was that wake up call, that I didn't need more time, I needed to make a list on my dry erase board, even little things to keep focus. Although sometimes Netflix & Bored Panda make it a challenge ;)

1point

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Woman Moves Out Of Parents' Home After They Asked Her To Give Her Space To Brother, They Freak Out

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Mom Leaves $250k Inheritance To Son, Throws A Fit When Daughter Stops Looking After Her

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#61

Give up caffeine to help with anxiety. I gave it up to help with my vertigo years after this was first suggested to me, but it did help. I'm still anxious but I'm not reacting to it like a hummingbird on cocaine anymore.

AshesToProveIt Report

Final score:

16points

Mama Panda 4 years ago

I switched from drinking coffee to drinking hot tea. Best choice I made. Tea is much more healthier and I don't seem to need more than one cup a day as I did with coffee.

2points

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#62

Do the practice problems in the textbook.

You think it's a total waste until you actually try it.

Final score:

16points

#63

Changing something about your appearance to gain confidence/self-esteem (getting a haircut, going to the gym). I thought it was a cop out piece of advice and then I got a haircut and I felt so comfortable in my skin and at peace that I remember the exact moment it happened.

justinbieberismymans Report

Final score:

16points

Malakai 4 years ago

I'll never forget the day I finally decided to get my hair cut in a pixie cut. For YEARS, my mom had drilled it into me that my hair HAD to be at least chin length, but I'd always wanted it shorter and had been too scared to try it. One day when my dad and I had to run for groceries, I ran into the salon across the street because I needed a trim and I told the lady to cut it all off. I dyed it later that day and I got SO many compliments for it, but more importantly I was SO HAPPY with it. Do the look that's right for you and that YOU want to do.

15points

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#64

Choose your reaction. It’s a thing from “7 Habits of a Highly Effective People”. What it boils down to is, nobody can actually “piss you off”. You have to react in a pissed off manner to the situation. It doesn’t always work because things like a death in the family are going to make you sad or whatever. It has helped me at work though to realize that no matter how stupid the person I am dealing with is, or how nasty they are being, I can choose to not go to that level. I can choose to stay factual and deal in logic. What do I know though?

FattyMcSlimm Report

Final score:

16points

Vincent Philippart 4 years ago (edited)

Don't go too far with this one. Controlling your emotions is also repressing them. They start to build up. That's how burnouts happen.

12points

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“This Breaks My Heart”: People Stunned—And Angry—After Woman Buys Lost Luggage From Airport

“This Breaks My Heart”: People Stunned—And Angry—After Woman Buys Lost Luggage From Airport

“This Breaks My Heart”: People Stunned—And Angry—After Woman Buys Lost Luggage From Airport

#65

Whenever meeting a new person always assume that they know something you don’t

BallisticAmbition Report

Final score:

16points

danielw 4 years ago

everybody is an expert in something.

4points

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#66

Fans on my old MacBook died. Saw a YouTube video that said to simply take your fist and bang on the part of the computer that housed the fans.

Thinking it was a troll, I gave it a shot out of pure frustration, and lo and behold, they purred back to life and I never had another issue with them for the rest of the time that I owned that computer.

Mckavity Report

Final score:

15points

Cat Irvine 4 years ago

Sometimes violence IS the answer.

17points

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#67

"There's what you need, there's what you want, and there's what you can't afford."

My Dad says this all the time, and I never though of it as useless--I just never used it. Now I have, and my money is far easier to manage.

Ekscalliber Report

Final score:

15points

Octavia Hansen 4 years ago

I always think of the future: how often will I use something, how will it be in a year, 5 years. If something (clothing/shoes) is only good for one time buy cheap or borrow.

1point

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"I Didn't Start The Dryer": Karen Gets Taught A Lesson After Throwing Out Neighbor's Wet Clothes

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Guy Divorced 3 Years Ago Drops Off 3 Y.O. With His Ex-Wife Completely Out Of The Blue

Guy Divorced 3 Years Ago Drops Off 3 Y.O. With His Ex-Wife Completely Out Of The Blue

Guy Divorced 3 Years Ago Drops Off 3 Y.O. With His Ex-Wife Completely Out Of The Blue

#68

Pull up your socks. Literally. When you’re feeling flagged and weary and still have two hours left before you can go home, sit down, take off your shoes, and literally pull your socks up.

I belittled this forever until I tried it. It’s actually a nice little pick-me-up

NinsAndPeedles Report

Final score:

15points

zims 4 years ago

Taking a moment to neaten your appearance can help reset you mentally.

2points

#69

When I was complaining about my wife for the 700th time my friend said "if she's so awful why not just divorce her." It was good advice.

DeltaKaze Report

Final score:

15points

Foxxy (The Original) 4 years ago (edited)

It is normal to complain about your partner to friends on occasions but if you say more bad things about your partner than good then I think it’s time to re-evaluate your relationship and either go to couples therapy or seperate. I know that my hubby probably complains about me but I also know for a fact that he says great things about me to his mates.

18points

#70

I suffered severe insomnia for years. Someone told me I should get up an hour earlier, go for a 30 minute run in the morning, then do yoga for 15 minutes before showering and getting ready for work. Seemed ridiculous, but I decided to try it for a month.

Haven't suffered insomnia since. Have way more energy, sleep better, feel better. It's amazing.

FeistySprinkles Report

Final score:

14points

Lousha 4 years ago

When you're a child your parents would read you a story to help you sleep and it works. So I do that to myself. I tell myself a story. Doesn't matter what, I'm on a cruise and the captain asks me to help finding out who stole lady Whatever's diamond. I'm hiking with friends and we happen upon a little hunting cabin on a mountain. I discover that there's a squirrel family in the back garden that can speak. Just a random story, doesn't even have to think much on how it will end because I usually wouldn't get there anyway.

11points

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College Student Does Exactly As Told After Roommates Demand They Keep Their Stuff In Their Room

College Student Does Exactly As Told After Roommates Demand They Keep Their Stuff In Their Room

College Student Does Exactly As Told After Roommates Demand They Keep Their Stuff In Their Room

#71

If you have those annoying, tiny grey balls that get stuck to clothing, use a dry razor to shave it off.

Saved so many items of clothing!

kittenandkettlebells Report

Final score:

14points

Malakai 4 years ago

Be very, very careful doing so! Certain materials can be prone to tearing if you shear off little 'pills' this way, such as wool, but fabrics like cotton or polyester blends are generally okay. Saved one of my favorite shirts doing this :)

9points

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#72

Smiling at a bully in grade school, and make it as genuinely kind as you can muster.

I had serious doubt until I did it, and watching her face become confused and horrified at the same time was priceless. She never bothered me again.

LilSis279 Report

Final score:

14points

danielw 4 years ago

yeah... the bullies thought I was just a wise a*s. to be fair. I was. Stuffing the bully into a locker though... that really did the trick... and the irony was delicious. (for the record, he was trying to stuff my friend into a locker... and the teacher wasn't doing jack s**t because he was the star of the freshmen team. teacher was also the coach.)

7points

#73

Bribe yourself with fun things to do the not so fun things.

Today I was tired after work but got a little care package in the mail, so I made myself go on the 2.5 mile run I didn't want to do before I could open the package. Now I'm refreshed and happy that I did the thing I was pseudo dreading, and I have a fun care package to open.

millre01 Report

Final score:

13points

WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago (edited)

My wife didn't think that a new car was acceptable as a bribe for mowing the lawn.

5points

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#74

Shop at Aldi's.

My mother-in-law has been all over me for years about this. I finally buckled tonight -- and spend about half as much as I usually do on groceries. Damn it.

I'm not telling her. Ever.

LininOhio Report

Final score:

13points

Barbara Kayton 4 years ago

Laughing so hard at your last sentence. I wish Aldi delivered. Having mobility issues in the house, shopping in-store is not an option a lot of times. I realize their limited range, lack of extras, etc is part of their "model" but it also makes it very hard for us to use them.

7points

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#75

When you are sad eat healthy, do a lot of sport and try to take fresh air under the sun. It sounds like the typical piece of crap, but it works incredibly well. It probably is something purely chemical, so it is definetly worth a try.

Final score:

12points

Scagsy 4 years ago

Unfortunately, I have had the opposite experience. I was a professional athlete so I ate healthily, did sport (for a job) and breathed/panted/sweated all day under the sun/rain/wind/snow. I was diagnosed with depression by the Club doctor. Still have it twenty years later

6points

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#76

When it comes to smoking cigarettes or weed it's easy to do it all the time, easy to never do it, damn hard to only do it once in a while.

YourDadsUsername Report

Final score:

12points

Lynda Momalo 4 years ago

I suppose it depends on how obsessive the person is. Some people are more prone to addiction than others.

5points

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#77

Dress for success. Started wearing a suit at work and got treated with more respect as well as promotions.

whileImworking Report

Final score:

12points

Deidre Snee 4 years ago

At business school, we were taught: Dress for the job you want to be promoted to. It conveys that you have more potential than the job you are currently in.

6points

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#78

Pretend to be sleeping untill you eventually do.

Final score:

12points

A Jones 4 years ago

I do this too. I day dream until I can night dream.

2points

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#79

Drink Water. Drink more water. Never stop drinking water

Clown_Will_Eat_Me Report

Final score:

11points

Enuya 4 years ago

Partially right, but... you know you can poison yourself with water? Up to the point where your brain cells swell and you may even die? So yes, drink a lot but not too much too.

21points

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#80

If you have a clogged nose, doing 8-10 pushups will temporarily clear it up.

Pilot_Scott Report

Final score:

10points

Johnny 4 years ago

If I had the fitness level to do 10 pushups, maybe I wouldn't have gotten sick in the first place.

43points

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#81

Try killing roaches with soapy water in a spray bottle.

It sounds useless, but it works better than any insecticide I’ve ever tried, and it’s non-toxic and really easy to clean up.

MinimalistFan Report

Final score:

10points

Andrew Gibb 4 years ago

don't hoover them up- they come back out again!

5points

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#82

One day at a time. It's been helping me stay focus in the NOW.

guyhabit Report

Final score:

10points

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#83

Stick to the same sleep schedule on your days off that you follow on days when you have to be somewhere at a specific time (like school or work days).

I spent my whole life sleeping until noon on weekends, thinking I was storing sleep in some imaginary sleep bank. I recently started waking up early on weekends, and now I don't have trouble waking up when my alarm goes off during the week. Plus I have all this extra time to do stuff because I'm not sleeping all day.

sparrow_one Report

Final score:

10points

Corey Smith 4 years ago

Get a dog. You will get up the same, early, time every day.

12points

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#84

Kegles. After having a baby, I stopped laughing at that advice.

KFelts910 Report

Final score:

10points

Scagsy 4 years ago

*Kegles - Pelvic Floor Toners, apparently

2points

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#85

Wash your dishes immediately after using them.

It really helps avoid unnecessary clutter.

Final score:

9points

WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago

The dishwasher is our clutter closet till it's loaded enough to switch it on.

1point

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#86

Stop chasing girls. Most times now they notice me as an individual, not as someone begging for a girlfriend.

Final score:

9points

Eagle Girl 4 years ago

So you're in the friend zone..?

-2points

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#87

Spend an extra $5-$10 on wiper blades

Final score:

8points

WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago

And don't use them to clean your windows from the Sahara sandstorm that hit your city last night.....

6points

#88

For gamers, play games that have a beneficial afk element (in-game), then whenever you need to do some afk stuff spend the time it takes cleaning your house.

Started playing Black Desert Online on xbox, my house has never been cleaner and I'm doing it so regularly that It's becoming a habit and when I'm all caught up I nap.

It's like a tricked myself into taking care of me and my place with games. Easily the best life change I've made this year. I'm productive in-game, at home, and I'm well rested. 10/10 highly recommend.

Zumvault Report

Final score:

7points

WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago

For those who don't get it , here's an explanation of AFK : https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-afk-2483097. I had to look it up.

3points

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#89

In regards to saving I was always told “Pay your bills, Pay yourself, then spend”

Cowboy7220 Report

Final score:

7points

Joanne Hudson 4 years ago

Pay yourself first. Then there is less money to accumulate bills. Put it in an inconvenient place so you can't take it out, even $5 a check grows. I also have 10

0points

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#90

From a youtube video dictated by a heavily accented doctor: Unclog your nose by sitting up straight, holding your breath and tapping your nose, untapping and breathing in to about 80% of what you'd normally breathe in, exhale, and repeat for a period of about 40 seconds to a minute. The point is to get a response to where your body almost feels like it's drowning. It's tough but it clears your sniffles right up for a long while and works 90% of the time.

Then I went on to suggest it to so many people but they won't believe me or try it even if they're desperate.

Stormygeddon Report

Final score:

6points

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#91

My doctor told me when I feel anxious or something like that to wiggle my toes and count them for every wiggle. It is something that distracts your mind and you can do it anywhere cause it just means moving your toes.

QueenWeirf Report

Final score:

5points

slackjack 4 years ago

Walk around barefoot on the rug and make fists with your toes. Better than a shower and a hot cup of coffee.

1point

#92

To meditate more often and visualize my dream life.

piscespost Report

Final score:

5points

Nianudd 4 years ago

“If you trust in yourself. . .and believe in your dreams. . .and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.” ― Terry Pratchett, The Wee Free Men

8points

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#93

Finish nice hot shower with 30 seconds in cold. It closes up your pores and reduces acne build up. 14 year old me really should have listened.

WolfeXXVII Report

Final score:

5points

Simon Si 4 years ago

but still the hormones. You can't avoid it.

6points

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#94

My dad, " dont marry that women because she has mental issues". i listened. About 3 years later i found out she was on trial for murdering her husband.

skynetempire Report

Final score:

4points

Foxxy (The Original) 4 years ago

That was lucky. Although you can’t go judging all people who have mental issues. I have mental health issues and I can tell you that there is no way I would ever murder anyone.

21points

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#95

If you make your bed in the morning, it will help you to get started on your day and make you feel better when you get ready to go to bed at night.

Final score:

4points

Vincent Philippart 4 years ago

Don't make your bed in the morning, it's not healthy. You sweated all night in it. It needs to dry out or it will ferment. Open it wide in the morning.

19points

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Liucija Adomaite

Liucija Adomaite is a creative mind with years of experience in copywriting. She has a dynamic set of experiences from advertising, academia, and journalism. This time, she has set out on a journey to investigate the ways in which we communicate ideas on a large scale. Her current mission is to find a magic formula for how to make ideas, news, and other such things spread like a virus.

Liucija Adomaite is a creative mind with years of experience in copywriting. She has a dynamic set of experiences from advertising, academia, and journalism. This time, she has set out on a journey to investigate the ways in which we communicate ideas on a large scale. Her current mission is to find a magic formula for how to make ideas, news, and other such things spread like a virus.

Mindaugas Balčiauskas

I'm a visual editor at Bored Panda. I kickstart my day with a mug of coffee bigger than my head, ready to tackle Photoshop. I navigate through the digital jungle with finesse, fueled by bamboo breaks and caffeine kicks. When the workday winds down, you might catch me devouring bamboo snacks while binging on the latest TV show, gaming or I could be out in nature, soaking up the tranquility and communing with my inner panda.

I'm a visual editor at Bored Panda. I kickstart my day with a mug of coffee bigger than my head, ready to tackle Photoshop. I navigate through the digital jungle with finesse, fueled by bamboo breaks and caffeine kicks. When the workday winds down, you might catch me devouring bamboo snacks while binging on the latest TV show, gaming or I could be out in nature, soaking up the tranquility and communing with my inner panda.

What do you think ?

Kesam 4 years ago

Here's mine: if unsure, always assume the best about people's intentions. If you are unsure if something someone said or did to you was meant to hurt or annoy you, assume it wasn't. This will make your life a lot easier and open your eyes to the crazy amount of smoldering conflicts that are caused by nothing but misunderstandings.

21points

Lauren Caswell 4 years ago

I like this. I often asuume oh no what did i do to annoy so and so, when it has nothing to do with anything i did. It kinda works for that too ^-^

5points

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Kimberley Stone 3 years ago

This was a lesson I learned in my 20's and it led to much improvement in my relationships with family members. And not just for me - my sisters have learned the same lesson. If everyone does this, it makes for more comfortable families.

0points

Steve Haigh 3 years ago

Definitely. I am sick of people saying "intent doesn't matter" if someone gets offended. Intent definitely matters. Nobody goes through life without offending someone at some point but if people realised it's not always intended, then they'd be a lot happier.

0points

Parmeisan 4 years ago

Have as much patience for your own mistakes / foibles as you would for those of your closest friends.

10points

WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago

The best thing I ever read was " For everything in life there's one rule: The long way is the short way." And when you really think about it it's so true. Whenever you try to rush things the result is a mess and you often have to start from scratch to get a good result. Fun fact: "The short way is the long way" is also true.

7points

Kendra Miller 4 years ago

I call it doing it right the first time

5points

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Esther Evans 3 years ago

The hurrier I go, the behinder I get....

1point

Kimberley Stone 3 years ago

In other words, what my mother sometimes said to me: 'what is worth doing, is worth doing well.'

0points

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Kesam 4 years ago

Here's mine: if unsure, always assume the best about people's intentions. If you are unsure if something someone said or did to you was meant to hurt or annoy you, assume it wasn't. This will make your life a lot easier and open your eyes to the crazy amount of smoldering conflicts that are caused by nothing but misunderstandings.

21points

Lauren Caswell 4 years ago

I like this. I often asuume oh no what did i do to annoy so and so, when it has nothing to do with anything i did. It kinda works for that too ^-^

5points

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Kimberley Stone 3 years ago

This was a lesson I learned in my 20's and it led to much improvement in my relationships with family members. And not just for me - my sisters have learned the same lesson. If everyone does this, it makes for more comfortable families.

0points

Steve Haigh 3 years ago

Definitely. I am sick of people saying "intent doesn't matter" if someone gets offended. Intent definitely matters. Nobody goes through life without offending someone at some point but if people realised it's not always intended, then they'd be a lot happier.

0points

Parmeisan 4 years ago

Have as much patience for your own mistakes / foibles as you would for those of your closest friends.

10points

WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago

The best thing I ever read was " For everything in life there's one rule: The long way is the short way." And when you really think about it it's so true. Whenever you try to rush things the result is a mess and you often have to start from scratch to get a good result. Fun fact: "The short way is the long way" is also true.

7points

Kendra Miller 4 years ago

I call it doing it right the first time

5points

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Esther Evans 3 years ago

The hurrier I go, the behinder I get....

1point

Kimberley Stone 3 years ago

In other words, what my mother sometimes said to me: 'what is worth doing, is worth doing well.'

0points

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