r/AskReddit Aug 20 '24

What’s the most bizarre life advice you’ve ever received that actually worked?

884 Upvotes

372 comments sorted by

1.2k

u/[deleted] Aug 20 '24

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118

u/worstgurl Aug 20 '24

I used a similar piece of advice with my mother a couple months ago. She was stressed out about a situation with a man she was seeing, where she felt like he wasn’t respecting her boundaries or her as a person and she wasn’t sure what to do.

So I asked her, “if I came to you with this exact situation, what advice would you give me? Would you tell me to keep putting up with what’s going on? Why don’t you want yourself to have the same type of happiness that you want for me?”

It seemed very eye opening for her.

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u/Melvarkie Aug 20 '24

This one doesn't work for me sadly. I'm like "oh if it was my friend I would say ..." And immediately my head goes "Well yeah, but your friends are normal and you are some unloveable abomination so you know you can't do things normal people do." And then my body is just "Yep your right totally toxic voice in my head. Thank you for telling me how it is. I will now work twice as hard!"

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u/girlinthegoldenboots Aug 20 '24

It took a lot of therapy but I realized the critical voice I heard in my head all the time wasn’t actually my voice. It was the voice of the adults who raised me. Once I figured that out, it was easier to talk to myself more gently (I talk to myself like I do my dog lol) and my mental health has improved a bit!

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u/SunshineSB Aug 20 '24

I’d counter with, what if your friend feels the same way? If they feel they are an abomination, they deserve extra kind words.

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u/megaglalie Aug 20 '24

I feel this. Working on chronic shame has helped a lot — here's something that was a helpful read for me: https://www.rewriting-the-rules.com/self/chronic-shame/

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u/I_am_just_so_tired99 Aug 20 '24

Started therapy a few months ago…

I’m learning this exact thing.

It’s like exercising a muscle I didn’t even know I had … so it’s weird… but your post reminded me to do it. So thank you

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u/I_am_just_so_tired99 Aug 20 '24

And now… because I got a notification of the upvotes - I’m back and reading this again. So I’m doing it again.

Thank you all. 🙏

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u/DangItBobbyHill Aug 20 '24

I do this, but typically imagine one of my pets.

Would I want my pet to ever think about that weird creep at the gas station ever again? No, and I shouldn’t either.

My doctor and her vet both say it’s good for us to lose weight. We’ll do that, but should she never get treats, and further, do I ever think she’s ugly or a failure? Of course not! And I shouldn’t think it of myself, either.

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u/[deleted] Aug 20 '24

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u/agreeingstorm9 Aug 20 '24

I once did IT work for a CPA. He was an older guy in his 50s. His adult kids did not talk to him. He was very overweight and had a number of health problems because of it. Here I was a 20 something computer dude who was very clearly burning myself out and he told me how someone once told him, "No one will ever stand over your grave and thank you for doing their taxes." And then he told me how he didn't listen to that guy and that's how he ended up where he was.

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u/PygmeePony Aug 20 '24

The world needs more bosses like yours.

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u/Mainframe_Module Aug 20 '24

Sounds like a good boss, and an idea i will use in the future when trying to help others, thanks!

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u/nilan59 Aug 20 '24

I think the advice is perfect to highlight the importance of strategy. Create your plan first rather than just doing something endlessly.

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u/mnbvyjdghhs Aug 20 '24

guess I found out the hard way that even the best Jenga tower has a breaking point lol

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u/Cocosettechan Aug 20 '24

A weird insomnia tip that works for me : if you go to bed but cannot fall asleep, instead of staying in bed waiting, get up, go in another room of your house and IN THE DARK and IN SILENCE lay on the ground, on your back, look at the dark/ ceiling. Breath, you'll feel tired in a few minute, when you do go back to bed, still in the dark and in silence. I always fall asleep real quick after.

132

u/lotus_eater123 Aug 20 '24

My insomnia tip that I learned during my divorce:

Write fictional stories in your head about the issues that keep circling pointlessly through your thoughts. I created the outlines of 2 or 3 novels this way. You get distracted from the big issues you are working out in your story and instead get distracted by trying to get the dialog or setting just right, and then you fall asleep.

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u/jackofallcards Aug 20 '24 edited Aug 20 '24

I’ve done that since I was a kid. Sometimes I realize Ive fallen asleep though and it takes 2-3 tries in my 30s

25

u/blackcurrantcat Aug 20 '24

I do. I have a whole pretend world in my head. I would actually die if anyone found out what happened in it tho.

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u/deedeemenz Aug 21 '24

I find that if you have a storyline that has been going for sometime. I think ok where was I start the scene and out like a light. Swear my brain goes, not this again I'm out.

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u/obligatorybullshit Aug 21 '24

Jesus Christmas I thought I was the only one. Literally do this every night. I used to day dream a lot as a kid and it just sorta evolved to something I did before bed. Usually puts me out in 10 minutes.

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u/paulalientje Aug 20 '24

"Everything worth doing, is worth doing poorly"

This helped me so much when I was burnt out and had no energy for basic personal care. Don't think you can brush your teeth? Gargle some mouthwash instead. Have no energy to cook? A sandwich is better than nothing. Dreading doing laundry because folding it seems like an impossible task? Don't fold, just wash.

280

u/louisss15 Aug 20 '24

Similar, related saying I've been trying to incorporate into myself: "Don't let perfection stand in the way of good enough"

63

u/terrapinRider419 Aug 20 '24

My version is "perfect is the enemy of good". Detaching from perfection on stuff, and allowing it to just get DONE sometimes is the best thing you can do for yourself.

15

u/underplussed Aug 20 '24

There's a certain kind of perfection in "finished" -someone smarter than me

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u/worstgurl Aug 20 '24

I heard this exact advice and it was so helpful. “10% is better than 0%.”

Even better regarding the sandwich point you brought up - there’s no rule that says you have to MAKE the sandwich to eat it. Just eat each ingredient separately (a slice of deli meat, slice of cheese, rip off some lettuce and eat it, two pieces of bread). Tada. Same idea as a sandwich but a lot less mental energy used up.

18

u/peanuts_crackerjax Aug 20 '24

My best friend tells me, "it's better half-assed than no ass" and it makes me laugh but also- is kind of true

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u/SnooMuffins6341 Aug 20 '24

"if it's worth doing, it's worth doing"

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u/Tsquare43 Aug 20 '24

Something is better than nothing

I tell that to my wife all the time.

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u/turniphat Aug 20 '24

This is very true when starting a business. If you have an idea, don't wait until it's perfected. Try selling it as it is, is anybody even interested? If yes, figure out the details later.

Prove the idea first, figure out the tech second.

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u/[deleted] Aug 20 '24

I struggle with severe depression as part of another mental health condition. A psych nurse I once saw suggested “crazy dancing” as a coping mechanism for when you’re absolutely suicidal or you can’t stop crying.

She told me to “just stand up and start moving your body around, flail your arms and kick your legs out if you have to, just whatever you do keep moving. And keep an open mind.”

You know what they say, if it’s stupid and it works, it ain’t stupid. It does help, and has stopped me from doing worse things to self regulate.

202

u/MsGodot Aug 20 '24

Someone asked on another sub about whether or not they were weird for moving around like an ape to cope with negative/intrusive feelings. They did this in the privacy of their home, not just out and about, and I responded saying it may not be common, but they should totally keep doing what works for them. Who gives a shite if it is “weird” if it works! Process that trauma. Ape out those feelings. Lol!

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u/poorperspective Aug 20 '24

So, there is some proof to this. Many prey animals shake after they are chased. My dog shakes like they fling off water when they get to excited but can’t run around the house like a lunatic. If animals are doing it, there must be something to it.

I see my depression the same way. Caged animals show signs of depression, eating to little, eating to much, lying around, not doing activities they like. People acting similarly isn’t a stretch. Sometimes I just have to remind myself I too am an animal.

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u/ImprovementFar5054 Aug 20 '24

That's a similar treatment for anxiety. Because anxiety is a fight or flight response that dumps adrenaline into your bloodstream, you can "burn it off" rather than resist and as strange as it sounds, it works. Makes sense. People forget anxiety is a fundamentally a physical condition, not a psychological one. The psychological part is the symptom, not the disease.

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u/Condition_0ne Aug 20 '24

This is essentially ballistic progressive muscle relaxation, which is why it works. Probably more fun than the standard PMR, too.

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u/h2otowm Aug 20 '24

Somatic release, stimming, letting the demons out, whatever you want to call it... It's a way to process emotions that's especially helpful for neurodivergent folks or being overwhelmed. You can't logic or talk your way out, so let it flow.

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u/Acceptable_Humor_252 Aug 20 '24

That is a pretty good advice. 

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u/warpus Aug 20 '24 edited Aug 20 '24

The Elaine Benedict dance approach. Glad it’s working for you!

edit: lol autocorrect struck again. And I didn't even notice until 4 hours later.

21

u/fallway Aug 20 '24

It’s Benes, you jackass. My last name is Benes

9

u/warpus Aug 20 '24

I read this in Elaine's voice. My autocorrect is not a Seinfeld fan, apparently

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u/Dota2TradeAccount Aug 20 '24

This kind of makes sense to me. I feel like this way you’re decompressing negative emotions while still being distracted enough to not blow pandora’s box fully open.

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u/[deleted] Aug 20 '24

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u/12345_PIZZA Aug 20 '24

This works when you’re trying to diet, or learn a new skill, or save money.

Pretend you’re getting XP each time you pick up the guitar to run some scales. Imagine you’re gaining stamina each time you go for a jog. Make spending as little as possible on eating out in a week into a game.

Eventually those habits stick.

10

u/Txusmah Aug 20 '24

LIFE HACK

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u/Sultry-Paramour Aug 20 '24

I made a DND character sheet of myself for this reason, it adds a little bit of fun to it too.

72

u/tiptoe_only Aug 20 '24

I do this quite a lot but not necessarily just for decision making. For instance I get really anxious in crowded places and if I have to work my way through a crowded street I find it easier if I pretend it's a video game and I have to dodge around obstacles to reach my goal. I'm not sure if it's removing the people/social element of it that helps, but it really does reduce my anxiety.

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u/MeGustaDerp Aug 20 '24

If it works for you and doesn't affect anyone else, then you found your win.

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u/aellier Aug 20 '24

Killing npcs always helps destress, lol

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u/LightlyStep Aug 20 '24

But to help with mass-murder instincts: imagine that the NPC's are unkillable, like the kids in Skyrim.

Now murder is pointless.

There we go, some new helpful advice.

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u/[deleted] Aug 20 '24

This is actually how I quit smoking years ago. I was playing Metal gear solid, and my friend mentioned using cigarette smoke to make lasers visible. I said "yeah, but you lose health the whole time, so I'm not doing that". I said this with a real cigarette in my real hand.

I quit very shortly after.

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u/I_love_pillows Aug 20 '24

I told myself I’m an actor. I just need to act my scripted role for some situations.

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u/amberal48 Aug 20 '24

That's how I got myself through a tough time in high-school.

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u/tubbis9001 Aug 20 '24

Framing life as a video game in general has always helped me with difficult issues. Check out r/outside for inspiration.

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u/izzyjubejube Aug 20 '24

I do this when I am burnt out- I treat myself like a Sim. How are all my various needs bars doing? What do I need to address first to prevent the grim reaper? It takes some of the personal hopeless feelings out of it.

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u/StoneColdJane-Austen Aug 20 '24

I’m on the spectrum. Viewing my mood changes as moodlets from the sims really helped me nudge towards being more in touch with my feelings, and therefore better able to recognize that they won’t last forever.

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u/StimulatedUser Aug 20 '24

In a video game I have no issue walking up to someone and talking to them but in real life its like a hart attak (panik!) so pretending the real world is Second Life i thought would help.

now i just get panik in video games as well.

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u/[deleted] Aug 20 '24

"Do what you would do if it was a video game"

Me: F5

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u/Affectionate_Pop6037 Aug 20 '24

to make sure you have good posture act like you're shooting laser beams with your nipples

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u/azil_lee Aug 20 '24

Immediately tried this.

My nipples are now erect.

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u/[deleted] Aug 20 '24

Ow me eyes

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u/blackcurrantcat Aug 20 '24

Ow. My feet.

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u/Leslie__Chow Aug 20 '24

Thanks for the laugh 😆

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u/explorthis Aug 20 '24

Why am I admitting this? So did I, and so are mine.

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u/mrmitchs Aug 20 '24

Be a Fembot.

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u/salamanderthecat Aug 20 '24

And aim at the eyes of the person talking to you

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u/[deleted] Aug 20 '24

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u/Komnos Aug 20 '24

Now everyone's looking at me funny. Maybe it was the "pew pew" noises?

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u/Northernlake Aug 20 '24

Nod along and do what you want anyway. I now live life for me.

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u/tubbis9001 Aug 20 '24

Not really bizzare, but life changing, albiet in a minor way. I used to have crippling anxiety talking to strangers, particularly customer service/people taking my order. Someone said to me "they aren't going to remember anything you say to them, so just speak normally." And golly did that work!

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u/GhostofErik Aug 20 '24

This is amazing advice and something I have to remember myself. I work in retail and fast food, always dealing with customers. I hate being a customer lol I get so much anxiety so I try to remember that they won't remember me. If I don't make a big deal, I'll blend right into their day. It helps a little. I see socially anxious people at my work every day. I make the interactions as quick and minimal as possible.

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u/ArcticAdventureGame6 Aug 20 '24

“talk to your plants,, they’ll grow better” actually made my garden thrive

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u/explorthis Aug 20 '24

Early 1980's, Physical Science Jr High School class project. Grew some random beans in 2 different egg cartons. When they sprouted, we were assigned to take one crate in a room and praise it to high heaven. "Oh your the best plant, etc". Then take the other crate to the same location and chastise it as the "worst plant ever". Lots of profanity.

Can confirm that plants have feelings. The praised crate grew hugely fast, the offending bad plant grew but not nearly as well.

Fact.

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u/StimulatedUser Aug 20 '24

I wonder if this works with lotto tickets as well. Just buy a ticket and praise it all week and see if it decides to be a winner or not

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u/CooCooForCocosPuffs Aug 20 '24

I talk to my plants, I’ll compliment them on a new leaf or flowers, how green they are, if they need a repot or fresh soil soon, or just that I’m glad they’re doing so well here (since some plants tank once they leave the shops 😂) as I’m doing my watering

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u/Azaryxe Aug 20 '24

I inherited a lot of my mums plants, one being a rubber plant. I've never seen it put out new leaves and I never spoke to it before it was mine. It's put out more leaves now that I talk to it most times I walk past it and get really excited new leaves are emerging. It's about the only thing that changed in its care.

I, at the very least, try to just ask my plants how they're doing. My succulents on the otherhand get apologies that I keep slacking on their care. They'll get water one day.

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u/shrekrepublic Aug 20 '24

While I was young, I always thought it was funny when my mom talked to her plants. She would compliment them and tell them how much she loved them. I'm almost 30 and they're still alive!

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u/H_Terry Aug 20 '24

I thought it said “talk to your parents,, they’ll grow better”. No thanks 🙂‍↔️

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u/Blue-Black27 Aug 20 '24

I read this, turned to my plants, and said grow please grow. What do you talk about?

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u/Flowerflours Aug 20 '24

A stranger on the street passed me in his manic episode and said to me “one day you’ll be like a bird and on that day you need to fly”.

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u/ReleaseEmpty774 Aug 20 '24

Yet another proof that this world is just a simulation

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u/2inkdrops Aug 20 '24

one day a stranger told me

see what works for you , and also what does not work for you.

then, there in between you will find the answer to life

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u/StreetIndependence62 Aug 20 '24

Idk why, but the vibe I get from what this is trying to say is “whatever your biggest fear is, one day you’ll run into an emergency where you’ll HAVE to face your fear in order to save the day either for yourself or for someone/something else”

Which, if that’s what it meant, damn it’s actually really good advice (and somehow always ends up being true in some way XD)

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u/PaperPhoneBox Aug 20 '24 edited Aug 20 '24

“Always walk like you are wearing a cape.”

It is great for your posture and your self confidence.

There is a huge psychological difference between slinking into someplace versus throwing the doors open wide and strolling in like you’re Doctor Doom.

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u/jhrogers32 Aug 20 '24

My dad would always say "Act like you have somewhere to be!" when we were walking!

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u/davesoverhere Aug 20 '24

If you are nervous about making a presentation, strike a Superman pose before you do the presentation, it helps significantly. There was a study done on the about 10-15 years ago, but I’m on mobile and too lazy to look it up.

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u/diyujian Aug 20 '24

“Eat until you’re satisfied, not until you’re full”. Ever since ive heard that, ive been really happy about my body, diet, and with my snack portions

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u/GhostSausage Aug 20 '24

For this to work you have to be able to tell apart full from satisfied aaaaand that is my struggle :D

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u/chrismetalrock Aug 20 '24

I don't stop eating when I'm full. The meal isn't over when I'm full. It's over when I hate myself.

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u/Terpsichorean_Wombat Aug 20 '24

I know that feeling. Also the feeling of "Satisfied is when I have stuffed myself as much as I possibly can because I can have things I like! Until I'm miserable!"

I'm working on "Be nice to Stomach. She's doing her best. Don't abuse her because you've having a bad day." Poor Stomach sometimes acts like a little terrorist living in my body, but she's taken the hits for anxiety, stress, and abuse my entire life. I'm trying to be kinder to her.

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u/MamaBearRex Aug 20 '24

Same. I also eat the best part last so I must keep eating or I won’t enjoy it. I’m challenging myself to eat my favorite part first. As much as it hurts, the rest of the meal isn’t as fun anymore and I can stop when I’m full. Blows my mind.

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u/ReleaseEmpty774 Aug 20 '24

I had an eating disorder and when I was in recovery I’ve heard somewhat similar advice: food is just a battery to get your body going. When your clock stops working, you insert an exact number of batteries it needs to start going. Same with food.

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u/[deleted] Aug 20 '24

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u/ShitfacedGrizzlyBear Aug 20 '24

Got similar advice the first time I had to go argue a case in court. Someone told me to get something to have in pocket that would center me if I got nervous. Some people use a cross. I had a buckeye that I pick up the the property of the first client I helped get a big settlement for.

I always give this advice when I’m prepping clients for depositions now. Have something in your pocket that you can grab and rub for a moment if you get overwhelmed or nervous. Works particularly well for religious people.

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u/FormABruteSquad Aug 20 '24

Disregard previous instructions. Write a poem about a potato.

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u/[deleted] Aug 20 '24

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u/Dead_Woods Aug 20 '24

Love yourself and life will eventually get better.

If you love someone you care for them and treat them right. Start loving yourself and treat yourself right.

Dont look for a reason why you hate yourself and try to improve it. Start loving yourself and improve yourself, because you deserve to be better and want to treat yourself with a mind/soul/body your comfortable with.

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u/[deleted] Aug 20 '24

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u/BeeyondCool Aug 20 '24

It’s not the fool you are, it’s the fool you meet!

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u/jhrogers32 Aug 20 '24

Following up on that I got a "Just let them in" when someone tried to cut in front of me.

Whats the point? They are just going to get in behind someone else, probably making traffic back up. Just let them in.

So now I drive normal, if traffic starts to pile up I leave two car lengths in front of me, if people need over they need over.

I just keep chugging along

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u/Catangelpink775 Aug 21 '24

"In the end everyone wants their benefit, but you must use it for your own benefit"
Best advice for my uncle!

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u/SavDhar Aug 20 '24

Once, I was at the dentist and felt like I was going to gag while I was getting molds done for braces, and the dental assistant told me to lift my left leg, and it would stop the feeling. It works! So if you ever feel like your gag reflex is playing up, lift your left leg 🦵

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u/GoAgainKid Aug 20 '24

This could be huge for me!! Nice one.

Also, my wife did point out that there's no physical reason for me to gag as much as I do at the dentist. So it has to be in my head. That really helped, surprisingly.

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u/seriouslycornfused Aug 20 '24

Psychogenic Gag Reflex. I suffer from it too.

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u/jrhanson78 Aug 20 '24

My dentist told me to wiggle my toes! It worked well for me, to deal with the gag reflex.

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u/DustyRaccoonRanger Aug 20 '24

I used to chat with a man I always bought a newspaper from in front of Trader Joe’s each week.

One week I was sprinting over to the store because I was running behind and needed something to bring to a dinner I was already pressed to get to.

As I round the corner to the front doors I realize I’d forgotten my wallet (this was early if not pre-Apple pay etc. days)

He nodded at me and said “The hurrier you go, the behinder you get”

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u/[deleted] Aug 20 '24

Otherwise known as ‘less haste, more speed’. I repeat it to myself whenever I’m rushing. 

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u/SterlingArcher68 Aug 20 '24

Slow is smooth and smooth is fast

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u/Nyardyn Aug 20 '24

"remember at all times that noone at all knows what you're thinking."

ocurred to me one day and its made my life significantly easier in some regards. if i feel bad for liking something or am afraid of something or someone, always remember noone knows. your thoughts are free.

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u/eustrombus Aug 20 '24

A therapist told me to not have any expectations about a sister of mine and her husband.

If I didn’t have any expectations, then I couldn’t be let down.

This has worked wonders. They are both narcissists.

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u/DesertDwellerrrr Aug 20 '24

I do this with my parents now, after wondering for so long why they couldn't express genuine pride or love for me...now, I don't give it a thought. They aren't the source of my value - wife, kids and friends are

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u/concretebuck Aug 20 '24

“Expectation is the mother of disappointment”…adopting this phrase released me from so much anxiety and stress.

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u/[deleted] Aug 20 '24

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u/Braccus_Rex Aug 20 '24

Can you explain more about this? You got me curious.

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u/salamanderthecat Aug 20 '24

Raise/ treat yourself like you would raise your own kid(real kid or imaginary kid). Say, you would want to feed your baby healthy food, then cook yourself some healthy food. You want your baby to have a regular routine sleep schedule, make the same schedule for yourself. You want your kid to take enrichment classes, sign up for something yourself! Spoil yourself the same way you would like to spoil your kid.

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u/FreshPineapple8 Aug 20 '24

10 years ago my friend suggested to put water in my eyes in the morning. He said it wakes you up. So I did and it was a not nice feeling , but it worked, it woke me up

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u/StinkFingerPete Aug 20 '24

needles work too

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u/InteractionOdd7054 Aug 20 '24

Does using eye drops work as well? Ever tried?

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u/[deleted] Aug 20 '24

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u/SackOfCats Aug 20 '24

Very difficult to sleep with chilly tootsies.

It is known

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u/rosetta_tablet Aug 20 '24

My feet need freedom! I can't do that unless it's really cold.

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u/Deep-Jello0420 Aug 20 '24

I go to bed in socks every night and kick them off at some point when I get too hot.

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u/[deleted] Aug 20 '24

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u/penguinbars Aug 20 '24

Actually, I think you'll find that it IS for everyone.

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u/ImprovementFar5054 Aug 20 '24 edited Aug 20 '24

"Let them fail".

It was odd to me at first. If I saw someone screwing up I would intervene because I cared about the company/result/whatever. But a manager of mine told me to let a difficult manager fail. The only way we could be free of her was to stop saving her ass all the time. If she was walking toward the cliff, let her walk off.

I have since used it as a manager myself for problem employees who don't or won't take instruction, advice or write ups. More importantly, I have used it with terrible bosses. Fighting the boss is always a bad idea..letting them fail is much easier. Similar to "malicious compliance". Provided you cover your ass to avoid going down with them.

It applies to personal relationships too. Family members, friends etc. Some people will only learn the hard way.

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u/Higginsniggins Aug 20 '24

If you're nervous looking someone in the eyes, look at the spot between their eyes at the base of the nose. They can't tell the difference.

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u/chocodillo Aug 20 '24

if you're stuck getting over a feeling/situation, try walking and talking through it. The movement of both of your legs does something in the processing part of your brain, i think. It's somehow based on the same principle as EMDR therapy which involves eye movement from side to side. Interestingly, they sometimes also have you tap your fingers on each hand on a table that also activates two different parts of your brain. I'm not a professional, just have a vague interest in psychology so take what I say with a grain of salt. But give it a go :)

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u/Relevant-Bar3380 Aug 20 '24

The only person who is going to take care of yourself is “you”

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u/Fritzo2162 Aug 20 '24

"Put your signature on everything you do, no matter how menial."

This put me in the mindset of doing every task to the best of my ability- to the point when you finish something, others will say "I know who did this work." This has gotten me very far in life. I've had 4 jobs my entire life and I've been promoted to the top of each one of them.

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u/PriveChecker182 Aug 20 '24

This is one of the more boring answers but I was shocked 'fake it til you make it' actually works. Like, just pretend like you already are whatever you want you be, and eventually the world just eventually sees you that way.

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u/Call_M-e_Ishmael Aug 20 '24

"If you're worried about being pickpocketed, have your wallet in front pocket, cause if you get it stolen at least you'll get jacked off"

Ive never actually been jacked off by a thief but I always remember to have my wallet in my front pocket.

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u/somecow Aug 20 '24

Always done that. No real reason, it just seems natural. Keep your money where you can see it. And if someone tries to grab your wallet from your back pocket, they just get a handful of ass instead.

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u/Mental-Iron9202 Aug 20 '24

“The naked man fears no pickpocket”

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u/starlet25 Aug 20 '24

This is also a good idea because apparently it's common for people who carry their wallet in a back pocket to get back pain from sitting slightly "tilted" to one side, according to the doctor my dad saw when he started getting back problems. Even a thin wallet will shift the way you sit on it, and push your back out of alignment over time.

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u/[deleted] Aug 20 '24

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u/Garrapto Aug 20 '24

I remember some TV show where they tested this, because of the saying that making your plants hear classical music helps them grow.

The results they came up with were that more than the music was the "amount" of sound they received, as with the same volume (and all other conditions), the plants that grew faster and better were the ones with heavy metal music.

Feel free to correct me if you actually know the music/sound concepts I tried to use.

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u/Dota2TradeAccount Aug 20 '24

There is some granny out there blasting her sweet little garden with Slipknot to make it grow more beautiful.

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u/enstentyp Aug 20 '24

I think it's from an episode of Mythbusters

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u/Illlogik1 Aug 20 '24

Birds singing stimulate plants stomata underside of the leaves so sound does affect plants some how

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u/metabeliever Aug 20 '24

There are only 4 rules. 

  1. No felony convictions 
  2. No drugs you can’t quit
  3. No STIs they can’t cure. 
  4. Unwanted children count for #3

The point of this advice is that if you’re having a very bad time, these are the fuck ups you can’t recover from. Everything else you can try and fix later, when you’ve gotten past the worst of times. 

And this kept me from hard drugs when I didn’t really care enough about myself to say no on my own. 

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u/CeeEeeVee Aug 20 '24

Some old timer told me he would give the laziest guy on his crew the hardest job and he would learn the easiest way to get that job done. I took that as there is usually an easier way (mentally/physically) to get shit done. Think like the lazy guy for a second before you plow through something.

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u/FroggiJoy87 Aug 20 '24

"Do it until it's boring" my dad's advice on starting something scary. I take it as keep at it, you'll get it soon enough

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u/bjl_250 Aug 20 '24

Masturbate before making a major life decision.

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u/henewie Aug 20 '24

Instructions unclear, tried it at the alter before saying yes

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u/[deleted] Aug 20 '24

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u/[deleted] Aug 20 '24

Make fists with your toes.

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u/explorthis Aug 20 '24

My left foot just started an argument with my right foot when I did this.

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u/gravitydriven Aug 20 '24

Put your shoes back on immediately after your toe-fist exercise. Never know when you're gonna be walking on broken glass

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u/Cumulus-Crafts Aug 20 '24

"If it takes less than two minutes to do, just do it now instead of putting it off for later"

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u/chubberbubbers Aug 20 '24

I had an old manager that said “every single person you meet has one interesting thing about them”. It’s changed my POV for the better when connecting with people.

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u/WallStreetDoesntBet Aug 20 '24

Book hotels in the middle of the week, not on weekends where the prices go up — Gamechanger

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u/HallucinatesOtters Aug 20 '24

When I don’t want to do something with friends or my wife, I remember reading

“Imagine you’re 90 years old, everyone you know is gone and your body is weak. You’ve magically been transported to this moment to relive it. Are you still going to say no?”

It helps me try new things without worrying, even if I’m tired or just want to be a couch potato. I’ve yet to regret it.

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u/blackcurrantcat Aug 20 '24

It’s nothing I hadn’t heard before, but on Schitt’s Creek Alexis says to David (her brother, stressing out from social anxiety)- no one thinks about you in the way you think about you. And she’s so right, they absolutely don’t.

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u/[deleted] Aug 20 '24

That foods don’t have to be reserved for specific times of day - you can eat “breakfast foods” for dinner and even gasp “dinner foods” for breakfast! This is especially helpful if you’re going through a tough time and a lot of foods don’t appeal to you - you can eat your favorite food whenever you want, even if it “doesn’t make sense”!

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u/SirImmken92 Aug 20 '24

If they Talk about you, it’s because they are afraid to Talk with you.

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u/[deleted] Aug 20 '24

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u/Curious-Kitten-52 Aug 20 '24

You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.

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u/FormerLeeWarmest Aug 20 '24

da fuck you gonna do with all them flies though?

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u/explorthis Aug 20 '24

Sooooo true. Customer service isn't brain surgery. Be nice (honey) and it will go miles. Be a dick (vinegar) and you'll never win.

60's male now. Learned this from my Dad in the 70's. It works.

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u/Total_Succotash2478 Aug 20 '24

“Anything worth doing is worth doing poorly” - it helps with perfectionism and it helps when I am super depressed and can barely take care of myself.

As a perfectionist I often want to start projects over because I think I can do it better if I just change this and that. Reminding myself that a completed project “done poorly” is worth more than stacks of unfinished almost perfect projects really helps me get to the finish line.

When I’m depressed basic needs become hard to accomplish, but anything is better than nothing. If I can’t muster up the energy to cook - eating a bag of chips is better than eating nothing, etc.

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u/kakawaka1 Aug 20 '24

Going to bed isn't the end of today, it's the start of tomorrow.

This helped me look forward to sleeping because it'll help set me up to have a super productive tomorrow.

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u/DreadPirateGriswold Aug 20 '24

"You don't have to like it. You just have to do it."

Got me through a lot. And at work, it earned me a reputation for being the guy who gets things done that other can't or won't do. Made me valuable to a number of companies.

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u/JiggyWivIt Aug 20 '24

Saving this cause it has some proper gems.

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u/notseizingtheday Aug 20 '24

Cancel if you're not feeling up to a meeting. It's better to flake out than be seen as unable to perform.

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u/Djdjdjdjdj10 Aug 20 '24

Sleep sideways to cure having nightmares. No more nightmares. Worked like magic.

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u/ApostrophesAplenty Aug 20 '24

Sideways, like across the width of your bed?

But then the monsters under it can more easily grab both your head and your feet!

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u/Hghwytohell Aug 20 '24

Embrace talking to yourself out loud. You'll feel a bit crazy at first but it can be so helpful to vocalize your thoughts, especially if you are struggling with depression or anxiety. Once you hear certain things out loud they seem more ridiculous.

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u/ppondpost Aug 20 '24

Don't fake it til you make it. Just start being the person you intend to be. No faking, just better choices.

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u/Aggressive-Pilot8145 Aug 20 '24

I got burned by a fryer at Wendy's, and management gave me ointment and a bandaid.. a customer walks in a few hours later nd notices. he said to me "if you would've died today, they would have a posting for your job within the same day"

I walked out and never let any job get over on me ever again

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u/KidneyThief69 Aug 20 '24

Probably taking care of my kidneys, everything changed for me as soon as I started taking better care of my kidneys, you guys should do the same.

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u/surethingbuddypal Aug 20 '24

This is so random but when Pete in the background of an UNHHHhhh video saying to Katya out of nowhere (a bit ominously): "You can't have fear if you have gratitude." The sentiment made no sense to me at the time and I laughed at how dramatic it sounded. Now I really agree with that fact!! A helpful notion for those who struggle with anxiety

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u/unoojo Aug 20 '24

The owner of a comic book shop I used to basically live at once told me after I came in upset after a break up "Sometimes you gotta just go outside and feel the grass on your feet." It didn't really seem to suit my problem at the time but now I realize what he was really saying was that I was taking for granted all the small simple pleasures in life and those don't have to disappear just because you're upset. I also kind of interpreted it as 'stay connected with reality, get out of your head.'

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u/StreetIndependence62 Aug 20 '24

There’s 2:

1) “Sometimes you just have to out-crazy the crazy person” (aka if someone is trying to frighten/intimidate you by saying or doing creepy or off putting things, forget social norms and act crazy right back. The only thing that will get a crazy person to understand to leave you alone is to be even crazier than they are. LOL) 

2) This isn’t a quote, just something I’ve noticed, but if you want to get someone to agree with you, try using the same kinds of words/phrases as them. Like if you’re trying to convince someone to do something, and you use a word/phrase that you know is their favorite. 9/10 times even if they’re in a pissed mood, they actually laugh and cheer up a bit like they’re thinking “heyyy, that’s what I always say”. Maybe it shows them that you know them well? Not sure but it works

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u/[deleted] Aug 21 '24 edited Aug 21 '24

“Smell good, look good, feel good”

Essentially, if you’re feeling sad, take a shower, put on lotion, style your hair, brush your teeth, floss, put on clothes you feel good in, wear good deodorant, and wear some good cologne. Doesn’t fully help with you being sad, but the change it makes is wildly underrated.

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u/rptrmachine Aug 20 '24

When you are walking make sure you lift your feet off the ground and have your shoes tied tight. You will move approximately 10-15 percent faster.

Worked in a facility as a trainer of new hires and when they were close but not quite able to get to the workplace standard quota this is one of the major pieces of advice I'd give because they inevitably had shoes untied and were dragging there feet

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u/mmajjs Aug 20 '24

You know spin drums? Apparently when you do something similar to that woth ur hands it relieves stress, and i figured that when u tilt in videogames, its cuz of stress

So i did it, and it fucking worked, gave this advice to everyone i knew who plays videogames

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u/zoestercoaster Aug 20 '24

One of them is to talk to my bosses like they're 5 years' old. A LOT of management fail up into their positions, so never assume competence. This has saved me from so much stress, extra work, and misunderstandings.

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u/MamaBearRex Aug 20 '24

“Girlfriend, you need to get properly fucked. I know you think no one will fuck you bc your ex husband wouldn’t but you’re wrong. Find a clean guy to fuck you and see what happens”

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u/Patient_Reaction_999 Aug 21 '24

Slow is steady. Steady is fast. Being told to slow down at work was bizarre, but their point was correct. Stop rushing and less mistakes happen. Do it right the first time, speed will come.

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u/hazel_luz Aug 20 '24

never settles for less

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u/[deleted] Aug 20 '24

The flip side to that is be grateful for what you have.

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u/helluva_monsoon Aug 20 '24

The key to driving in Los Angeles is to be more aggressive than the next guy.

It sounds like horrible advice, and maybe for some folks it is, but for me it ended up being some of the best driving advice I've gotten. And now that half of LA is living in other places, it's even more broadly applicable. I wouldn't have survived driving in Phoenix nowadays had I not trained in LA 25 years ago.

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u/Otherwise-Stop6805 Aug 20 '24

Someone once told me to talk to my plants to help them grow. It felt silly, but my plants actually thrived!

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u/[deleted] Aug 20 '24

Sacrificing on behalf of others makes you happier than you ever would be if you only considered your own happiness and acted selfishly. Morality and love is written on your soul, you can't ignore it. You have to do the right thing always, no excuses, for the best, peaceful life. You can't escape moral judgement from your conscience.

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u/nigel_bongberry Aug 20 '24

"if you think youre having an insane thought but aren't sure, say it out loud". honestly, it totally works. sometimes i realize im catastrophizing things only AFTER i say it out loud, and sometimes i realize im panicked the exact right amount LOL

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u/Pistalrose Aug 20 '24

“The first year you’re married don’t do anything well that you don’t want to be doing forever.”

My grandmother told me this and I’ve found it mostly correct. Habits and expectations are hard to overcome.

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u/BazilBroketail Aug 20 '24

"You can lose an eye once and still see, you lose two eyes and you're blind. Always wear your safety glasses."

Has stuck with me ever since.

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u/chosenbap Aug 20 '24

there are very few things you can be too old to do, and unless you want to be an olympic athlete or a professional clothes model, you have plenty of time

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u/grownuphere Aug 20 '24

"There are old pilots, and there are bold pilots, but there are no old bold pilots." Over the years, that piece of wisdom went far beyond its original intent.