33 Pieces Of Unsolicited Advice I’m Not Promising Will Change Your Life

But who knows

“There’s not enough advice in the world” — Kevin Kelly, founding editor of Wired, on Freakonomics podcast.

I don’t know. I think there’s an awful lot of advice. But, I can’t resist offering some more.

Just incase Kevin Kelly is right — and because he suggested this idea — here are 33 things that worked for me.

33 because I’ve just completed my third year on Medium. I’m not going anywhere. This community is amazing. Bring on year 4!

33 Snippets I Find Helpful to Know

1. We’re all smart in some areas and stupid in others. Don’t worry about it.
2. Standing among trees or on the beach does more good than you expect.
3. The best love is based in friendship, but having the same hobbies doesn’t matter all that much.
4. Love comes unexpectedly. It could be tomorrow. It could be someone you already know.
5. We often give up too soon on good relationships, and hang on too long to bad ones.
6. Nothing matters more than getting your mental health sorted.
7. Kids don’t need perfect parents. It’s simpler than you think. Cuddle, read a story, listen more than you talk.
8. Kids will come to their own conclusions. Make sure one of them is that they are loved completely.
9. Small things are underrated. Look for small, kind things to do for people you love.
10. When someone offers you a hot drink, a meal, or a gift, say yes. It’s their way of connecting with you.
11. The answer to any compliment is “thank you”.
12. Everyone wants the same things: attention, acceptance, and approval. Listening is the main way to give them to someone you love.
13. Sleep fixes a lot of things.
14. You can eat less meat. It’s not as hard as it seems.
15. Creativity and learning are like therapy. But actual therapy is good too.
16. Find something that makes you laugh at least once a day. We need it.
17. Narrow down the causes you’ll support and do something for them. Trying to save everything and everyone leads to overwhelm and powerlessness.
18. Boredom is good. Don’t be scared of it.
19. Do something scary at least some of the time.
20. Beanbags are excellent furniture to work in. My back no longer hurts — that’s all the proof I need.
21. Our ancestors fought hard for lunch breaks, take one.
22. You can remake your life at 40 or 50 or 60.
23. You’re braver than you realize. Always.
24. Wait 24 hours before hitting publish. Wait 24 hours to have the hard conversation. Wait 24 hours before sending an angry text.
25. The worst part of heartbreak takes 48 hours, no-contact. After that, it gets better.
26. A person who knows a lot is not necessarily a wise person. Don’t confuse knowledge for wisdom.
27. Kindness matters more in relationships than almost anything else.
28. You can stress about all sorts of small things, but when a family member is rushed to hospital none of the rest matters.
29. Most things can wait. Hardly anything is actually as urgent as it seems.
30. You can learn to like the taste of almost any food if you give it enough time.
31. Learn to cook. Seriously, if I can do it — anyone can. Keep a fire extinguisher handy.
32. Spend at least 10% of your time doing something creative.
33. Never give up hope.

Do you have any pieces of advice that have helped you? Share them in the comments. I’d love to hear them.

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