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Original poster

What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?

171 replies

1person100names · 19/08/2020 21:33

OK I will add some further advice when I've had more time to think of the answer to my own question but one that majorly sticks in my mind is a very simple one.

I was watching a video of a couple who had been married for 70 years, the interviewer asked the couple what their tips were for staying in a happy marriage for so long. The old lady smiled and said it was simple, they have spent their entire relationship being 'nice' to each other. I'm not sure why its stuck with me so much, it seems simple, straightforward advice but even when I have bad (hormonal!) days I always ensure that I am kind and respectful to my partner. I was never nasty of course but its something at the forefront of my mind! We have been together 5 years and I can honestly say we are very happy together! He is equally as kind and nice to me and I hope we stay together as long as the couple above!

So what's yours? It can be anything!!!

OP posts:
MrsHuntGeneNotJeremyObviously · 19/08/2020 21:35

Want what you have. Comparison is the thief of joy.

jelly79 · 19/08/2020 21:35

Always be able to look yourself in the mirror

user1493413286 · 19/08/2020 21:41

Everything passes - so bad times will pass but also good times will so enjoy them they are happening

Inituntiltheend · 19/08/2020 21:42

Don’t believe everything you think

WFHWFH2020 · 19/08/2020 21:44

There is no truth only perception.

MeOldBamboo · 19/08/2020 21:45

In six months’ time it won’t matter

IdblowJonSnow · 19/08/2020 21:45

You're a long time dead.
Said to me by someone older and wiser, who's dad had just died. I was about to go travelling and was terrified and full of doubts about it.
It took a lot of the fear out of it, somehow, and I went and had the best year of my life.

MrsOldma · 19/08/2020 21:46

Take what you need....leave what you don’t

RippleEffects · 19/08/2020 21:47

Pick your battles.

Bluewavescrashing · 19/08/2020 21:49

Good enough is good enough.

Everyone fed, nobody dead = winning.

This too shall pass.

Millie2013 · 19/08/2020 21:53

From a mother of three, when DD was almost a year old, OH was working away and I was struggling with transitioning back to work

“Do whatever you need to get some sleep”. In this case it was (safely) co-sleeping. Others told me I was making a rod for my own back, etc, but I was on my knees from being up and down every hour or two. I could have kissed her and it got me through a difficult time

homemadecommunistrussia · 19/08/2020 21:55

You can control of your thoughts, can pay attention to them or not, that they are just thoughts and not truth.
It's always worth remembering that I find.
Now I suppose it's simplistic and I am positive some people cannot control them, but it works for me when I find myself in a negative spiral.
Mostly though I remember the crap advice my dm gave meHmm

tyrinn · 19/08/2020 21:56

My grandad sat me down when I was younger and told me never to sell my time.

There's only 24 hours in a day.

Candleabra · 19/08/2020 22:02

Don't say yes to something if you really mean no. (Nothing makes you more resentful in life)

TweetUsOnFacebook · 19/08/2020 22:04

Stay away from drama

Bunnybigears · 19/08/2020 22:05

Don't say you are OK when you are not OK.

Foxinthechickencoop · 19/08/2020 22:06

To value kindness in others above all other attributes

When someone shows you who they are believe them

Deeds not words (you want to believe the people who walk the walk and not just talk the talk)

Making a judgment call is not the same as being judgemental (told to me when I was going to hire someone With a very complex past, who I felt sorry for, and wanted to give an chance to, but who in hindsight I didn’t have the experience/time/finances to support and it would have been damaging to them and us. This advice is also helpful when dating. Or with friendships. You can be friendly and welcoming, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore warning signs or your gut instinct because you don’t want to be judgemental ).

I also really like all the advice on that Sunscreen song by Baz Lurman.

cheesecrackersandchips · 19/08/2020 22:08

Great thread.

Don't take criticism from someone you wouldn't take advice from.

Hyperion100 · 19/08/2020 22:08

Always leave the toilet in the state youd like to find it.

Time2change2 · 19/08/2020 22:10

My gran used to say to me and DH when we were just dating be nice to each other, treat each other with kindness always. It’s just so true.

Another elderly relation used to say worry about what you can change and forget about what you can’t.

TenCornMaidens · 19/08/2020 22:10

If you really have to do something that you don't want to do, do it in a way that is okay for you.

BlueyDragon · 19/08/2020 22:14

“This too shall pass”

“Never be afraid to say fuck to a judge”

Have relied on both extensively, although the latter usually gets translated into not being afraid to talk straight to power. The original version was meant literally!

lovelemoncurd · 19/08/2020 22:15

It was a work one really. From my Director. You can't always smooth things over sometimes you need to agitate the water. That's when I was new to health service management.

Hellhath · 19/08/2020 22:15

Be content with what you have.
There'll always be someone with more than you, but there'll always be someone with a lot less.

ruthieness · 19/08/2020 22:16

"You can have it all, but you cannot have it all at once...."

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