A while back we took a look at some "useless" pieces of advice Reddit users had received, only to realize that — upon implementing the advice — it was quite useFUL. These incredibly pure and surprisingly wholesome stories sparked even MORE responses from our BuzzFeed Community! Here are a few of the very best:
1."If you decide you don't feel like doing that *thing* that needs to get done, go through the preparatory motions to do it anyway — chances are after all that prep, you'll end up doing the *thing* after all."
2."My high school health teacher once told me, 'you can't please everyone, and that's okay.' I used to be emotionally exhausted and stressed all the time because I wanted everyone to like me. Ever since I heard these words, my anxiety has been worlds better."
3."'Don’t borrow trouble. You have plenty of trouble yourself, don’t go looking for more.' So basically, don't worry about things until they happen. Don’t worry about someone else’s business. If it’s not your problem, don’t make it one. DON’T. BORROW. TROUBLE."
8."One of my favorites is 'don’t think about what it costs, think about what it will cost per use.' So, for example, spending $200 on a pair of shoes you wear 200 times is a better use of your money than spending $20 on a pair of shoes you wear twice."
9."I was once told, 'you can't be sorry for the sick when you're dying.' Take care of yourself first, then you can help others.
I used to help my friends with financial issues when I was already struggling to pay my own bills, but remembering this advice has helped me so much."
10."My mom ALWAYS used to say, 'anything worth doing is worth doing right.' It taught me to slow down and do things the way they should be done, and not the fastest way possible."
11."I’ve always scoffed when people told me to try the 'natural remedy' of a hot honey and lemon drink when I had a cold or a sore throat, but I finally tried it and it works so well that it's crazy. Now I make it for anyone I know is sick and everyone is amazed at how effective it really is."
12."'It is none of your business what other people think about you.' I have a terrible need to be liked by everyone, even people I don't like. This has since become a mantra for me."
13."My seventh grade geography teacher once told me, 'you wouldn't care what people thought if you if you knew how seldom they did.' I had no idea what he meant at the time but now, when I start feeling self conscious, I understand it."
14."When I was a teenager and crying over a relationship, my mom told me, ‘if it’s more work than fun, it’s time to get out.' Relationships will always be hard work, but we should also be able to find more happiness in them than not. This advice has guided my relationships since — and led me into a very happy marriage."
15."My dad would always say, 'don't force it. If it doesn't fit, it's not supposed to.' Granted, he was usually referring to something literal (like shoes, hats, etc.), but it's shocking how many times that phrase has applied to my life."
16."My mom used to say, 'if this is the worst thing that ever happens to you, you’ve lived a pretty good life.' Before I implemented it myself, I felt like she was belittling my struggles, but now it really helps me puts things in perspective."
18."My dad always tells me, 'save 10% of yourself for yourself.' With relationships, jobs, or even your family, it’s easy to give 100% of yourself to another person. It’s important that you keep some of yourself to you."
20."The best piece of advice I ever received was actually from the short story Golden Land by William Faulkner: 'The shadow is always larger than the object which casts it.' Every time I'm struggling with a problem, I think of this quote."
So, there ya have it! And now it's your turn! What's the BEST piece of advice you ever received that seemed completely irrelevant to you at the time? Share yours in the comments below!
