We often get motivational and inspirational quotes as Good Morning texts on the family WhatsApp group. But we’ve heard them so many times before that they fail to make an impact. However, the pieces of advice we receive from our grandparents, parents, teachers, siblings or partners during times of stress or crisis, often stay with us for life.
People are sharing these anecdotes and the advice that proved to be life-changing for them in this hopeful Twitter thread.
It's my birthday and here's my wish. I want to know the piece of advice that changed your life.
— Dr. Jennifer (@jenniferejoness) March 30, 2021
1. You can choose the less painful option
Happy Birthday!
While in labor and trying to decide whether or not to get the epidural my husband said, “we came here to have a baby, not check your pain tolerance” and I’ve applied that everywhere.
I’m just trying to live my life, not check my pain tolerance.
— Kacie Sampson (@LaLaLaRetta1) March 30, 2021
2. Actions have consequences
I once did badly in an exam. My dad saw my report card & said, If u want to play with fire, just remember u can get burnt. If u get burnt, remember as your dad I can apply medicine but no matter how much I love u,I cant take away the pain. Finally consequence of all u do is yours
— Priyashmita (@priyashmita) March 31, 2021
3. Enjoy your own company
Advice from my dad: Get comfortable being alone and doing things solo, don’t miss out on something great because other people won’t/can’t do it with you or might think it weird. Others joining you is a perk, not a necessity.
Happy birthday!!!
— Amanda (@flampanda) March 30, 2021
4. How to combat dilemmas
If you cannot decide between two options, identify the choice that is motivated by hope and the one motivated by fear and choose hope
— Carolyn Klamp (@caklamp) March 31, 2021
5. Progress, not perfection
“Perfect is the enemy of done.” If you strive for perfection, you will accomplish nothing. It applies to everything. Writing a book, starting a house project, working out, etc. Besides, name a person who is perfect. You can’t. So, why should you hold yourself to that standard?
— Dr. Gienow-McConnell (@HaleyAnnGM) March 30, 2021
6. Sleep is important
If you’re behind on work because you are behind on sleep, catch up on sleep first. Do not wait until you have ‘earned’ sleep by doing enough work. No amount of ‘working hard’ will catch you up if you’re severely sleep deprived.
This applies to most health issues, not just sleep.
— Mina Goldman 🥭 (@redMinaGoldman) March 30, 2021
7. Saying NO
It’s okay to say NO pic.twitter.com/7elvvm6UbI
— She Wears Many Hats – Gender & Health Consultant (@genderequity4a1) March 30, 2021
8. Adulthood
Auntie advice to ~24 yr old me: there’s no point at which you feel like a ‘real grown up’. You don’t just wake up one day & ✨ know ✨. We’re all just muddling thru, keeping it together as best we can–that’s the secret to being a grown up.
— Leila M Joyce Seals (@GeoarchAndLush) March 30, 2021
9. Female independence
A few bits from my mother: Get an education, it can never be taken away from you; have a life, don’t go from your father’s house to your partner’s house; a woman should always have money of her own to w whatever she wishes. I miss her https://t.co/VTBg5zmsBq.
— Jeanne Sutter (@JeanneSutter2) March 30, 2021
10. Practice it wrong
A martial arts teacher said “Practice it wrong.”
That is, don’t wait till you have it right to practice, because you won’t have it right till you practice. Don’t worry about forming bad habits. Practice till you have control, and then correct bad habits.
— Coleman Ridge (@ColemanRidge) March 30, 2021
11. Value your time and mental health
I’m self-employed – best advice from my partner: “charge for your breaks”. I’d been charging only the exact minutes I was in front of my PC. He made the reasonable point I was treating myself worse than most employers, giving myself exactly 0 paid breaks.
— Dr Liz Marsden 🇪🇺🏳️🌈💙#blm (@LizMarsden_Ling) March 30, 2021
12. Marriage at 25, kids and home at 30?
Life opens up when you stop believing in its timelines. You don’t have to get married, have kids, finish school, pick up a hobby, or do anything else on anyone else’s watch but your own. Go wild, you’re going to turn that year older anyways.
— Joanna Giddens (@joannagiddens) April 1, 2021
Which of these resonated with you the most? tell us.