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

[1person100names]

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!!!

@DogsandBoysmeanMud you have to share that one!

When buying clothes. If it doesn't make you want to do a little dance when you put it on, don't buy it.

Advice from my parents since I was little: always judge people individually on how they behave, never on race, sexuality or anything else people can't control.

Ask yourself if whatever is worrying you will matter in a year- usually not, and this always helps with keeping perspective.

Pay attention to how people make you feel.

Let people/processes/etc fail. Rescuing people from themselves doesn't help them in the long term and failure is the best diagnostic for how to improve.

I learned this in work but it applies to personal things as well, including parenting etc.

Buy cheap and you buy twice

It will pass

Always trust your instincts

Don't quit on a bad day (about breastfeeding, but it stands for many things)

Don't look for happiness where you lost it.

And you only have to wake up with yourself in the morning. Said by a very wise man - as long as I'm OK with what I've done then that's OK.

I thought it was harsh at the time, but A GP once told me "Look after yourself - no-one else is going to do it."

Don’t have people in your life that don’t make you feel good

If he’s interested, he’ll call

Frolicacid just stand them against a chai, put something for them to look at on the chair, and use a pull up! I used Higgies pull ups not sure what they have now but it worked a treat and changed my life with 2 under 2, both in nappies, at the time

Say yes to as many experiences as you can.
If something feels off then it probably is.
Its just a bad day not a bad life.

‘Chose your battles’ regarding your children and ‘telling them off’

Money is your friend
(From my nan who had to work 2 jobs to bring up several children on her own)

What other people think of you is none of your business

'Make things easy for yourself' I read it online somewhere when I was suffering with PND after having first baby. It works for your mental health and also everyday practicalities e.g. we bought a dishwasher and a perfect prep machine. They seemed excessive at the time but they didn't half help!

I have other philosophical ones but on a lighthearted note, 'you never regret washing your hair'. I always think this when I just can't be bothered with the faff of drying it etc afterwards.

My grandma used to say "bless the obstacle" - great advice and more often than not "obstacles" do lead to better outcomes in the long term. We use this phrase often.

Other goodies are: " sometimes you just have to spend your way out of a problem" (learned in a work environment but true in life) and: "it's brave to push yourself beyond your comfort zone - but if you're in the abject fear zone, sometimes the bravest thing to do is to say no" (said by an Olympic bobsleigher when I was in Norway with a group of strangers and about to go face down on a luge/skeleton WITH NO EXPERIENCE for the first time!!! Good advice in life generally though.

All the others who mention finding a partner who is kind are also absolutely bang on.

@littlegiant thank you, some really lovely quotes/advice I am reading so far and its giving me a much needed boost! I hope it has helped you too!

Don't set yourself on fire to keep someone else warm

Fail to prepare, prepare to fail

Expect the worst, hope for the best

Sometimes you have to evaluate certain situations and think "nope, f**k that"

@Fartleking ohhhh I needed that advice when I was 19 years old and with someone who had no intention of commiting! He broke my heart but my god I am so glad that relationship never worked out

• Never turn down an invitation to a party

• When something bad happens, instead of thinking "why me?", say "why not me!"

• Ask yourself 'so what' to everything that happens that is 'bad'

Love many, trust few
and always paddle your own canoe.

'Nothung will change until the fear of change is outweighed by the pain of staying the same.' - Something like that. I don't actually agree with it but at the time it gave me the push I needed to divorce my abusive exH.

'If not you, who? If not now, when?' - I tend to think of this when looking at the full laundry basket or other boring tasks rather than for doing anything profound!

what others think of you is none of your business

Feet on the ground. Eyes on the hills. From my lovely history teacher.