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Often, I intuitively know something but realize it only after someone says it out loud. If it's a movie insight, then there's no big deal. But if we're talking about an important life lesson, I sure as heck would've liked figuring it out by myself earlier rather than later.

So when I saw this post on r/AskReddit by u/PeakABoo_IFKU, I knew I was in for a treat. The Redditor asked: "What is the best advice you can give someone?" And after scrolling through some 2,000 comments, I think you'd like to see the best ones as well. From taking care of your body to working on your mind, continue scrolling and check them out!

#1

30 People Share One Thing They Wish They Had Known Earlier In Their Lives Imagine all the time that you spend worrying about your embarrassing moments. Now understand that almost everyone else does the same. Nobody is thinking about your embarrassing things. Just their own. I find this idea freeing.

mustardisntsoup , Evelina Zhu Report

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Hans
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually, I remember both the embarassing things that I did and that others did...realizing that everybody is continuously doing mildly stupid things is freeing as suggested above, though. Moreover, I guess we tend to overrate the "level" of embarassment of stupid things, i.e. the same mishap we would find more embarassing when happening to ourself to when we observe it from others.

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#2

30 People Share One Thing They Wish They Had Known Earlier In Their Lives Be careful who you have kids with.

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More Thinking Needed
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They should use a different picture. The Bundy's raised two very successful kids. Both are actors.

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#5

30 People Share One Thing They Wish They Had Known Earlier In Their Lives Expect nothing, and appreciate everything.

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#6

30 People Share One Thing They Wish They Had Known Earlier In Their Lives You are only responsible for yourself . You cannot and should not try to control others even if you think you're being charitable. Similarly don't let other people control your emotions.

creepercrusher , Nathan Cowley Report

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Sean Harrison
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Unfortunately personal responsibility isn't something people are taught anymore. It's easier to blame someone else.

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#7

30 People Share One Thing They Wish They Had Known Earlier In Their Lives Document everything. A lot of people have bad intentions and are looking to screw you over for their personal gain. Having things documented and on paper will prevent them from taking advantage of you.

Witty_Goose_7724 , RODNAE Report

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Jessica H.
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

THIS THIS THIS. No matter how miniscule a seemingly insignificant detail, jot it down, time and date it with "Per [enter weasel's initials here]". Email and text communication before phone (but document time & date & gist of each call), and take a quick screenshot or photo of any involved items or documents. Use an object for scale in photos. My go-to is my own foot; ex: "Size 10 shoe for scale." Always, always, ALWAYS get it in writing, document the little things, and save save save.

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C C
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even when in writing, documented, and supported by medical professionals family court doesn't care. You are at the mercy of the judge, their mood for the day, and heaven forbid if your proof goes against their "go to expert" of 30yrs.

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Heather Vandegrift
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even if people don't have bad intentions, proper documentation can clarify the past where human memory fails. Your boss may not have bad intentions when they send you an email telling you to stop working on one project to do another, and then saying he never told you to do that when the first client calls for status on their project and needs to up the timeline. People forget, or think they did something when they didn't (a lot of us type emails to people and then get pulled away by something else and forget to send them). Making sure all conversations are documented in writing makes sure they're is a "hard copy" of something so that fallible human memory can't cause issues.

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Miss Frankfurter
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If I am signing something with a lot of pages, I sit and read, and I mean READ every single page. I don't care how long it takes to do that even if the person who gave it to me is getting annoyed at how long its taking. I'm signing this and so I want to know what it says. If there's any disclaimers I don't understand you're going to get asked to explain. When I worked in Day Surgery it was occasionally noted in the chart that the surgeon had previously explained everything and so we could get the consent. Patients would tell us they don't need to read it. Just give it to them and they'll sign. The thing is, it also contained the risks of anesthesia, like you could die. Nope. Argue with me and I'll stand there and read all of it to you. We are allowed to witness it, but it is witness to signature only, not that they understand it. But they can't say they didn't know what it said.

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Linda Wines
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think this is the one that would have saved me the most. I was too naive and trusting all my life and had so much money stolen from me. Once I didn't have any more money they literally stole all the art jewelry and furniture. Every time I trusted someone, they took advantage. Now I am old and filled with regrets for my stupidity.

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MyOpinionHasBeenServed
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Always keep your first hydro/electric/gas bill from when you moved in to your home and your last, and a copy of your lease. My hydro account was stolen and all the previous information, including address and everything was deleted from the company's system and only this other address I had never lived at was showing, and whoever had done this racked up a debt I had to pay off in order to activate a new service.

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Annie Bieber
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a former 911 Dispatcher I take notes on EVERY thing...and lemme tell you the older you get, the better habit is...especially Medical visits.✌

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François Carré
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That sounds a bit paranoid though. Be careful with all that involves money or any kind of commitment from your part, for sure. But we also need to be in situations where we can simply trust one another without a second thought. A lot of cool social activities would not be possible otherwise.

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Thay
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is part of the reason Im paranoid and depressed😂

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Alexander B
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't think this is true. Most people are good. Anxiety and distrust are bad advisors.

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Daria B
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most people are good indeed. But most people make mistakes as well. Documented records can help each party find the right way when they get disoriented.

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Yugan Talovich
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Something I am grateful to my father for: date photos, books, papers, what have you.

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Loty
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And don't forget to notary certifiy everything. And deposit everything in the safety deposit box becuase it can be stolen. Don't trust anyone and don't take anyone's advise. Ever. Everyone is out there to get you personally. Everyone.

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Yeah, you heard
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not really. "The Nigerian Prince says he loves me, and just needs to borrow €2000. I'm going to lend it to him." Having written it down doesn't prevent the hustle from happening.

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Gerard Neaux
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ugh more of this Machiavellian thinking that seems such a deep cultural staple of USA.

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Becky Samuel
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is nothing to do wih Machiavelli. There are a number of people I know who have put up with colleagues, bosses, 'friends' or family members who constantly either harassed, abused or undermined them, but they never took my advice to document or keep a diary. Then when the problem becomes unbearable or the abuse worsens, they have no proof, no dates, no clear recollection of details, etc. etc. and so they fail to get the help and support that they need. Even keepig a diary can help you realise just how bad a problem is - it's basic human psychology to downplay things to ourselves when it's a relationship or career on the line.

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#8

30 People Share One Thing They Wish They Had Known Earlier In Their Lives Just because you don’t like something doesn’t mean it’s inherently bad. Don’t s**t on someone because they find joy in something you don’t.
I’m referring to things like movies, music, art, food, etc.

turtles_go_mrph Report

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kjorn
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

and even if something is bad you have a right to love it. i love the movie Battlefield earth with John Travolta. i know it's a bad movie.

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#9

30 People Share One Thing They Wish They Had Known Earlier In Their Lives It's okay to not be okay

Dolios6757 , Yan Krukov Report

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Tami
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't mind people telling me how they're not ok, it can be therapeutic for them to share what they're feeling. Sometimes all someone needs is some compassion to realize that it's ok to not be ok. But when they're always talking about their problems, aren't helped by a compassionate listener, and never do any thing to address their problems, then I feel that type of "not ok" is not ok—for them or for me.

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#10

30 People Share One Thing They Wish They Had Known Earlier In Their Lives Don't be so hard on yourself, sometimes life gets complicated, is not your fault, just do your very best in every situation, and let things go as they should

jommong , Sofia Alejandra Report

#11

30 People Share One Thing They Wish They Had Known Earlier In Their Lives Drink water

Tang090 , Lisa Report

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Dre Mosley
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's amazing to me how many actually don't. I worked with a woman for years who drank nothing but diet Coke. Never saw her drink anything else.

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#12

30 People Share One Thing They Wish They Had Known Earlier In Their Lives Learn skills to make yourself as self sufficient as possible.

JSwerve19 , Wallace Chuck Report

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Erin Mitchell
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yea this became glaringly obvious when the pandemic hit. Things everyone should know: how to sew, basic woodworking (you should be able to cut 2 pieces of wood and screw them together), and how to dress a chicken.

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#13

30 People Share One Thing They Wish They Had Known Earlier In Their Lives Never put anyone on a pedestal, they will have no choice but to look down on you.

FoeNetics , Yan Krukov Report

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M Calad
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one I learned the hard way. Treat everyone equally as we all have the same value. No life's worth more or less. We all exist and each life is valuable. There's nowhere that states that a life is worth more because of skin color, gender, money, education, nationality, culture, success, etc.

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#14

30 People Share One Thing They Wish They Had Known Earlier In Their Lives If someone really loves you they won't intentionally hurt you.

Lalalaliena , Ketut Subiyanto Report

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Hans
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Frankly, I do not need to love someone to not intentionally hurt him or her. Intentionally hurting someone is a sign of a lack of ability to be empathic (but for extreme situations like self-defense of course).

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#15

30 People Share One Thing They Wish They Had Known Earlier In Their Lives You are only young once, but you can be immature forever.

Jasole37 , Helena Lopes Report

#16

30 People Share One Thing They Wish They Had Known Earlier In Their Lives Try it. Whatever it is you are debating, as long as it doesn't hurt anyone, and isn't illegal, try it.

Not trying it is going to weigh on you far more than any minor embarrassment you may get from trying it.

Correct-Champion-488 , cottonbro Report

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Deborah B
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Remember that 'anyone' includes yourself. Ask yourself: "If I do this, and keep doing it, will it hurt me?" and "If I do this/keep doing this, will I like and respect the person that that makes me?"

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#17

30 People Share One Thing They Wish They Had Known Earlier In Their Lives Take responsibility for your actions.

riffraffgames , Anastasia Shuraeva Report

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Chucky Cheezburger
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

3 rules I found in life that have found should followed...Dont lie, don't steal, and if you screw up admit it.

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#18

30 People Share One Thing They Wish They Had Known Earlier In Their Lives Is there anything you can do about it?

No?

Then don't worry about it.

jstange1 , Andrea Piacquadio Report

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T.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dear god, thank you for the coffee, that gives me the energy to change the things I can, and for the weed to help me accept the things I can't.

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#19

30 People Share One Thing They Wish They Had Known Earlier In Their Lives Never lose sight of the parts of life you're absolutely clear about. The truest part of ourselves is found inside that clarity.

Also, never ever ever be afraid to start over. You will NOT be starting from scratch, you will be starting from experience.

cherrytreeguy , Andrea Piacquadio Report

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13
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Where the f**k would you pull Hitler from following an entry like this? Unless of course you're completely obsessed by the megalomaniac.

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#20

Treat yourself as if you’re someone you’re trying to help

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#21

30 People Share One Thing They Wish They Had Known Earlier In Their Lives Don't go to college UNLESS you are REALLY READY to do so.

Economy_Candidate299 , cottonbro Report

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Hans
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I strongly reject this one. There might be some truth for countries like the US where tuition will cost a fortune, but in general, I strongly believe that lifelong learning is essential, that it is *always* the right time to try out learning something new, and that *any time* in life is the right time to find out what you want to do; taking up studies may well be part of this process, regardless of whether you retain these or soon give them up again.

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#22

There’s only one person in the world that can possibly act in your best interests in every situation: yourself.

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Otter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sadly, some people do not have their own best interests at heart. Some of them learned that from people who did not have their best interests at heart, but some are just fools.

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#23

Take care of your teeth and body when you are young.

47 year old dude with bad knees from playing sports.

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Shine Caramia
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Every time my kid doesn't want to brush her teeth I tell her that she needs to look at the brown spots on mine

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#24

30 People Share One Thing They Wish They Had Known Earlier In Their Lives Life is 10% what happens to you, and 90% how you react to it

JPJP_ , Andrea Piacquadio Report

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Gerard Neaux
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't react. Respond. The difference is reacting is a visceral emotional automation, whereas responding means to think and give an appropriate reply.

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#25

Not sure where i got this from but: If you were able to believe in Santa for 10 years or more, you can definitely believe in yourself for 10 minutes.

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EEF🤓
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know its not the point of this, but who still believed in santa after they were 5 or 6?

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#26

Be kind to yourself! We are often our worst enemies.

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Scagsy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know this to be true as I am an absolute b@stard to myself and have been all my adult life. I'm struggling through therapy now to try to break it down and be kinder to myself. It's a hard habit to break.

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#27

At a minimum, at least be honest with yourself. At least be true to who you are. And if you don’t know, figure that out.

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M Calad
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is my motto. The more you know yourself and are honest and coherent with who you are, the more life starts to make sense. Don't rush it; you have a whole life to learn who you are. One lesson at a time.

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#28

30 People Share One Thing They Wish They Had Known Earlier In Their Lives Don't stay up late doing something that you would not wake up early for.

GoTeamScotch/ , Dziana Hasanbekava Report

#29

Meditate. Try. Every morning. It has freed me from some of the dark side effects of my mental illness.

Also, establish a great morning routine and night routine and stick to it. Practice gratitude every day.

Let go of resentment and hatred you have for others. No matter what they’ve done. Forgive. Forgive. Forgive. Forgive does not mean you tolerate what they’ve done or that what they did was okay- but it is meant to free YOU. So you can move forward and reclaim the power you feel you’ve lost. You can be compassionately wrathful and stand up for what’s right without hate in your heart. Hate only hurts you in the end.

Ie. My brother was murdered- but I have never hated the man that killed him. I don’t have to live with that resentment in my life

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kjorn
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

you must be strong to don't have the man who killed your brother. good for you.

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#30

Take advantage of health insurance when you have it

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Deborah B
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As in get regular physicals and preventative care, address small problems before they potentially turn into bigger problems at the same time as you lose your insurance. Sneaking suspicion that you might be pre-diabetic, or have the family high blood pressure? Get it checked out. Small painful lump, or mole that's looking different than it used to? Don't ignore it.

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