“Knowing how much more life could have been if I had started this earlier makes me sad.”
It’s quite normal to ignore advice from older people when we’re young.
Yet it’s also normal to have regrets about not following past guidance.
and a lot of answers were honest and thoughtful.
Here’s what they had to say below:
1.
Through a combination of not having a lot of money and wanting to enjoy myself, I didn’t.
“Dont worry about being cool.
Hang out with people who have something going for them.
I realized this a little late when I had made many poor decisions.
But I challenged myself to hang out with those I admired and wanted to be like.
It was a turning point.”
Mark, 55, Canada
3.
“Dont let anyone else tell you what ‘being a man’ means.
Youll figure out how to be your own man.
Everyones definition of a ‘real man’ is different and personal.”
Moist And Savory Daisy
5.
I thought that was ridiculous.
I ignored her advice.
With hindsight, it would have served me much better than all that science fiction I read."
This is great advice for flying and for life."
Andy, 55,France
7.
“Find good positive male role models.
Don’t learn about ‘manliness’ from someone on TV or what kids at school say is manly.
Find actual well-adjusted adults who are worthy of emulation.”
Anonymous, 57, Maryland
9.
“Thank your parents for the cool things they did for and with you.
Let them know you appreciate what they did.
Also, get ready to realize they were actually right most of the time.
I find myself thinking, ‘Damn, they were totally right…'”
10.
You’re someone without the vocabulary to explain: ‘I’m not a girl!’
and you’ll get there someday.
Elliot, 40, Pennsylvania
11.
“This probably would apply to anyone, not just men, but: care less.
Care less about what other people think.
Care less about the things that stress you out to the point they make you sick or lose sleep.
We often care too much about things that don’t matter or seem like big deals at the time.
robert_dunder
13.
I was young and bulletproof, so continued to be reckless with my body.
My now 60-year-old neck and knees wish I had heeded his advice!”
Build people up instead of trying to make a quip at their expense.
tickle_bomb
15.
Early commitments introduced complexities and financial strains that lasted for years.
My advice now is straightforward: dont rush.
“Be patient with your parents.
Mine were always good people, but I expected perfection and held their mistakes against them for years.
I rebelled, left, and they let me find my path.
Thankfully, we found forgiveness, and we grew close again before they passed.
Now, my kids are older, and theyre frustrated by my own incompetence and imperfection.
Theyll figure it out.
Theyll find their own path too.”
