Life advice for younger self/younger generations

[ScottyP]

What life advice would you give for those younger than you or younger self? I'm mainly seeking advice from those on the older end of this site, but any good life advice is welcome.

Career
Love
Relationships
Health
Money
etc.

Please keep this out of the cave topics.

 

[Drew0311]

Start your 401K as early as you can. If you have a job that offers it, start it. Even if you are struggling a little to pay bills, start it with 3 percent. It's pre tax and you won't even be missing anything.

Health, Work out. Don't wait till you get older and start. The muscles once they get old have trouble getting in shape. It can be done but keep moving. Go for a walk, do some minor yoga. Just do something.

Relationships.. This may be controversial but never get married. 50 percent don't work. 50 percent of your money will be gone.

Last Career. Don't put it over anything else. Live your life. Just make sure your job provides you enough to retire. More importantly don't be a hostage to the job. Make sure you can still go do stuff with your kids, Go to games, Go to events, vacation. I see to many people that can never do anything because "The boss needs me to work".

 

[3TrueFans]

Don't post unsourced threads about player illness to cause panic on CF.

 

[clonedude]

Start saving as early as, and as much as you can!

 

[JP4CY]

Go to happy hours on patios.
Go to the unique concerts.
Do RAGBRAI at least once.
Donate blood.
Open doors for women and people who need it.

 

[frackincygy]

Take calculated risks.
Try new experiences - food, music, cultures.
Read more.
Worry less.
Don't go to bed angry.
Don't hesitate to tell those you love you do.
Bet on yourself and do your best.
It's better to have tried and failed than to never have tried at all.
Don't burn bridges.
Big eyes, big ears, small mouth.

 

[MeanDean]

Never miss a concert or important ISU sporting event because you have a test the next day.

30 years later you will remember the concert or great game. You will forget the grade you got on the test.

 

[CascadeClone]

Take risks - even if it goes bad you learn something.

Be curious and open minded - new things can be delightful, and even if not... it makes you appreciate the old things. "What does he know of England, that only England knows?"

Before getting serious with a woman, look at her parents. Good chance she will end up looking and acting like her mom. But also look at her dad - if he is happy, probably you will be too. This isn't 100%, but nature and nurture are very strong influences. (yes it works in reverse for guys too)

 

[throwittoblythe]

 

[coolerifyoudid]

Save money early. Pay attention to job benefits
Don't be afraid to fail.
Stay in contact with loved ones
It's easier to stay in shape versus getting back into shape. Stay flexible, your joints will thank you later.
Keep learning. Keep reading.
Being jealous about someone else's job, house, etc is a waste of time. Enjoy what you have completely.

 

[cyfan964]

Know your worth. Both in business and your personal life. Don't accept less.

 

[AdRock4Cy]

What life advice would you give for those younger than you or younger self? I'm mainly seeking advice from those on the older end of this site, but any good life advice is welcome.

Career
Love
Relationships
Health
Money
etc.

Please keep this out of the cave topics.

Dont skip leg day.

 

[throwittoblythe]

Just because you're related to someone by blood, it does not mean you owe them anything. This applies to your time, money, and love.

 

[Fishhead]

Don’t fear rejection

 

[1SEIACLONE]

Start saving for retirement on your first paycheck. Put as much as you can afford away, and you will never miss it. Increase the amount as you make more and get older.

Travel, or do other things you love, but never at the expense of family.

It's just a job, and you are replaceable, it's not more important than family or your mental health. Do not be afraid to make a bold career move and never settle if you think you can do more.

FInd someone that has the same interests as you do, they are a friend first, lover and wife second. Without the first, you will never truly have the second.

Live is short, you do not want to be that person that is lying in bed ready to die thinking I wish I had done this or that, if you want to do those things, do them.

Get a mentor you can trust and that believes in you, either on the professional level or personal one, better yet, on both levels.

 

[dahliaclone]

Volunteer for something outside of your career that you have passion for. Animal shelters, etc.

Second...we all die at the end of this. Don't waste any of your time on things or people that aren't having a meaningful impact on your life. Someone treats you like you shouldn't be treated or disrespects you...cut them out. Truly just let them go.

 

[Cyclonepride]

Push yourself outside your comfort zones as often as you can. You may fail often, but you'll surprise yourself with how frequently you'll succeed. In any case, you'll gather a whole bunch of good experience.

 

[cycloneman003]

I'm only in my mid-30's, so don't have too much to give on the advice side but can echo many of the sentiments here. The things that bring me joy, or that I focus on in life...

Never prioritize work over my family/friends. With my wife, two small kids, etc. I have no desire to be a 70 hour/week grinder. It surely means I will earn below my potential but that's okay.

Others have said it... save, save, save. For retirment, for your children's future, etc. Along the same financial lines, sure I could afford a much nicer/larger house. But for what purpose? Instead, live below your means. Spend that money on experiences, trips, etc. rather than another garage stall to put and over priced car in or an extra bedroom that sits empty.

Faith and community. Don't care where you find that. For me it's church, it's mentoring middle schoolers, it's being active in a community and grounded in something bigger than me.

Know what's important. Leaving it generic to avoid certain topics, but too many people's day-to-day lives are entirely dictated by events/circumstances that are out of their control, shouldn't actually dicate whether they are in a good mood or not, etc.

 

[soccercy]

Save early and save often! Set aside retirement savings before you ever get used to having those funds, learn to live with less early. Always have emergency savings, set money aside each paycheck for unexpected expenses.

When they say time flies with your kids, it is so true. Never wish away the small moments, the different phases, you'll miss them so much when all of a sudden they grow up and are gone.

Always take the trip, enjoy the experiences.

 

[VeloClone]

No matter how easy high school is for you don't take short cuts like not studying or writing term papers the night before they are due. Develop good study habits because school won't be so easy for you the further you go and good study habits are easier to form early rather than when you really need them.

Don't just take time - make time - for the loved ones in your life, especially your elders. Ask a lot of questions of your grandparents, aunts, uncles and parents. Talk to them about what they want to talk about. Ask them about family that are long gone. Visit cemeteries with them and ask them about every relative or person they knew that are buried there. Ask them about growing up in their time, about life during wartime or the depression - whatever. Get everything out of them while you still can. You can't ask after they are dead. Write some of it down and pass it along to your children, nieces and nephews. Write down some of your memories because young ones in your life will later regret not asking you.

Take no day, hour, or minute for granted. We get a limited time, make each second count.

Spend more time with people worthy of your time and less with people who don't enrich your life.