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Original poster

Best nonsense advice you have ever received?

114 replies

Penfoldseyebrows · 23/03/2024 23:39

We all know about those sage words of wisdom that you should live your life by, but what are the throw away nuggets of knowledge that have made a much bigger impact on your life than you would expect?

I'd like to share mine which may seem blindingly obviouss to some but undid everything I knew about laundry and literature.

  1. It's OK if you don't wear matching socks.
Even when I would regularly leave the laundrette run until needimg to wear my knickers inside out was becoming a real possibility, this would never even have occurred to me. I am pleased to have passed this life lesson onto my children.
  1. Never waste time reading a bad book.
I felt morally obliged to the author to finish a paperback once I"d started. I would count the numbers of pages left instead of concentrating on the words on the page. After all, if someone can commit months, years or even their life to this little bound document. then surely I could manage a few more hours to finish it. But of course, the truth is that the writer has achieved their goal and the book would be much better passed onto someone else who may appreciate it than it guilt tripping me from my bedside cabinet. I've yet to embrace it though. I still haven't accepted that no matter how many times I try, I just can't get past chapter 5 of Wuthering Heights. I'm halfway through How To Be Both and I know I should apply this rule to it but I just can't bring myself to. Maybe I'll wade through one more chapter...

So what are your small inspiring messages that have improved your life?

OP posts:
CactusMactus · 25/03/2024 16:13

CYA - Cover your ass. (mainly at work).

Arraminta · 25/03/2024 15:58

If he loves you, you will know it. If he doesn't love you, you will just feel confused and upset.

MsFaversham · 25/03/2024 15:51

If you’ve got a difficult decision to make, set a time in the future - it could be 5 hours time or 5 days time - and try and forget about it until that time arrives. You will then know what your decision is. It’s based on the subconscious doing the work, of course, but works incredibly well for me.

Don’t ever promise to keep a secret. Ask the person trying to tell you not to do so as you can’t guarantee you can keep it. You won’t know what the secret is in advance and it might be something you have to tell someone else.

Elsewhere123 · 25/03/2024 15:43

It's all part of life's rich tapestry.

PTSDBarbiegirl · 25/03/2024 15:30

If it feels wrong, it is wrong.
You know the answer to all your worries already.

DrJoanAllenby · 25/03/2024 15:29

As children we had to go to the toilet before we went out. No ifs and buts and we have done the same with our children and it made life so much easier when out and about.

Children can walk from a young age. No cumbersome buggy boards or scooters etc are needed when you have another child in a pram. Again it makes life easier.

If you want to get things done, get up early. You can achieve so much more if you start the day being productive.

Emmylou22 · 25/03/2024 15:27

If you stick on a fancy pair of earrings, people won't notice your greasy hair shoved back in a ponytail, and that you haven't showered. This probably only works on Teams/Zoom calls.

Grumpynan · 25/03/2024 15:10

If your life is a play then you are lead character, never forget it.

never regret things you’ve done - just learn from your mistakes and move on

never part with an argument,

learn to agree to disagree

my mums favourite she lived her life by it -—— No matter what - dignity at all times

BarrelOfOtters · 25/03/2024 15:08

Wear underwear that fits, not necessarily your size.

gluenotsoup · 25/03/2024 14:58

Always wear good quality, comfortable underwear 🙂

LittleRedYarny · 25/03/2024 14:53

It’s ok to run the dishwasher twice/lay down to wash in the shower/buy pre prepared vegetables etc - this is something I have written on the fridge for when my ND life kicks the stuffing out of me.

Vladandnikki · 25/03/2024 14:49

If it's worth doing, it's worth doing badly.

TheDandyLion · 25/03/2024 14:44

BobbyBiscuits · 24/03/2024 10:42

Assumption is the mother of all fuck ups.

My old boss used to say that and it's always stuck with me.

"Brother, Mother any other sucker. They're still fuckin guns and they still fire fuckin bullets."

Sorry, your boss is a Lock Stock fan.

Desecratedcoconut · 25/03/2024 14:34

Edit, read the thread title and ran with nonsense advice...rather than the kind of advice set out in the op.

VioletCold · 25/03/2024 14:32

When life gives you lemons, say fuck the lemons and bail.

From Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

FoxtrotSkarloey · 25/03/2024 14:28

Many wise words on here. I will re-read again later and try and commit some to memory.

The best I recall choose your attitude.

Another I've seen on mn a lot recently, comparison is the brief of joy. So, so true. In the same vein, I think too often people let striving for perfection get in the way of enjoyment.

Any finally, please remember, never play leapfrog with a unicorn.

Songlyrics · 25/03/2024 14:15

To not fear silence when having a difficult conversation. If you have apologised/stated your position etc., don't speak again until somebody else has spoken. Often, we speak too much because silence makes us uncomfortable. We end up giving in and saying things we didn't mean or want to say.

Similarly, if someone is particularly worked up about something, ask them something to the effect of, "How would you like to move forward?" because often, people vent about their feelings rather than seeking an actual resolution.

TheFTrain · 25/03/2024 13:57

Never take business advice from somebody who:

  1. Hasn't worked in your industry
  2. Hasn't been more successful than you
Mairzydotes · 25/03/2024 13:35

Vodka or washing up liquid can be used to remove all sorts of stains.

I saw a meme that said 'you aren't the idiot whisperer '

Original poster
Penfoldseyebrows · 25/03/2024 13:17

Always carry a pen.

OP posts:
Original poster
Penfoldseyebrows · 25/03/2024 13:16

Make yourself "big" when you're on your bicycle ie don't cycle next to the gutter or try to hide from cars. Cycle safely but make sure you are seen and have room to move in an emergency. Don't give car drivers the opportunity to bully or inyimidate you.
Also, you can never have too many hi vis items or lights! 🤣
And of course, always wear a helmet (I know 2 people whose helmets literally saved their life).

OP posts:
Orders76 · 25/03/2024 08:00

Terry prachett had so many good bits of advice, but the Sam vines boot theory is a good one which I found especially true when buying kids shoes.

Halloweenrainbow · 25/03/2024 03:47

To echo one above " I'll think about it" has got me through all kinds of situations from sales pressures, peer pressure, to scams. There's very little in life that requires an immediate decision and if someone expects that from you it should be a red flag.

srailfonaidraug · 25/03/2024 03:03

“Don’t eat yellow snow”

Urine melts it.

Starseeking · 25/03/2024 02:51

The ones that have stuck with me:

Don't make someone a priority, when they only treat you as an option.

Don't make yourself small, to make someone else feel big.

Only worry about things within your control; everything else will still happen.

If it is to be, it's up to me.