this post was submitted on 08 Feb 2024
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A lot of people answering this struggle to understand what highly-specific means. I'm looking to, for the sake of experiment, highly-specific advice that gives a reader clear understanding of what they should do. Unlike the vague advice, on the contrary, that may be too abstract to get implementing it right away.

Inspired by this post but I wanted to change the question a bit to avoid the really vague answers as well as lower the age bar of target audience for the advice.

I'll start with a bunch myself, to give a better example of what I'm talking about:

  1. Read The Art of War by Sun Tzu. Ironically, because this is a post about specific advice, dude wrote a book with vague rules on how to do war, but the way it is worded is ridiculously good. If you take your time to think about the advice, you can find their appliances in the most unexpected fields.

I, for example, have improved my skill in videogames, out of all places, after reading the book. Sun Tzu said "If it is not advantageous, do not move". Instead of rushing into combat, I now consider whether my position, current health, location of health packs etc. work to my advantage. Sun Tzu made me realise team-based PvP shooters give you room to avoid and disengage combat, you can make more impact for the team if you choose your battle and have everything work for your advantage.

  1. Exercises are not just about a lot of dedication, long commutes to the gym, expensive memberships and the fear of being judged by other gym members. 7 minute workout is a thing and it will give you all the benefits at your own home without the need for equipment, and it won't take much time either.

  2. Buy an old used Kindle. For dirt cheap, you will get a device with a good e-ink screen that works without Internet connection, still has decent battery, is light and small. A new thing that makes reading so comfortable will trick you into reading more and books still happen a good medium for sharing information.

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[โ€“] [email protected] 4 points 8 months ago (3 children)

If you can be a good boy/girl, get a credit card. Start with something that returns actual value, like a grocery store card or gas card. Something you can use for ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING and then use the points or cash-back or whatever on necessities. Pay your bills with it, buy your groceries, use it everywhere you can.

Now, here's the important part: pay the statement balance IN FULL on or before the due date. If you pay the statement balance every month, you're basically getting a short term, 0% interest loan, and building your credit score at the same time.

Oh, and never get a credit card with any kind of annual fee or membership requirements. And when I said useful, I didn't mean the Belle Tire card that gives you discounts on tires. WTF Belle Tire, how many tires do you think I'm going to buy?

In case you missed the part where I told you to pay off the statement every month, here it is again. Pay off the statement every month. No excuses. If you can't pay for something in cash, don't buy it with the card. Once you miss a payment, they start charging that ridiculous interest rate on everything you buy on the day you buy it. Once you miss a payment, you must STOP USING THE CARD until the balance is zero.

But if I find out you're carrying a balance, I'll find you and kick your ass myself.

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[โ€“] [email protected] 4 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

Don't think you know it all. It's extreamly common to see young people being confident and cocky, despite having almost no life experience. Understand the enormous value of listening to people who have been in your shoes before. Almost everyone you see was your age before.

And with listen, I don't mean "do what they say". Just listen and think about what they say. Maybe they are wrong. Maybe not.

[โ€“] [email protected] 4 points 8 months ago
  • Read The Courage To Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga It is a mind blowing book that can help to improve your life and that of others.
[โ€“] [email protected] 4 points 8 months ago

You should do 10 minutes of metta meditation per day.

Set the timer, sit up straight, bring your hands together, then think to yourself (one thought per exhalation)

  • May I be protected and safe
  • May I be free from sickness and suffering
  • May I be peaceful and happy
  • May I be free from troubles and worry
  • May I be healthy and strong
  • May there always be kindness and friendship in my life
  • May I take care of myself with ease and joy

Once that's finished - seven breaths - pick someone else and say these things to them (silently in your own head), again one breath at a time.

Pick someone whom it's easy to wish well upon.

Once that's finished, pick someone of medium difficulty to feel good about. Maybe someone neutral.

Once that's finished, pick someone who's hard to feel good about. Maybe an enemy, or someone who disgusts you.

Then medium.

Then easy again.

Follow the pattern easy-medium-hard-medium-easy-medium-hard-medium-easy-.... until the timer goes off.

Normally I recommend starting a meditation practice with 5 minutes per day, but with 5 minutes and slow breaths you barely get through one person this way.

[โ€“] [email protected] 4 points 8 months ago (1 children)
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[โ€“] [email protected] 4 points 8 months ago

Learn when and how to properly rest. It's easy to burn out for things that end up being not that serious. Prioritising your health and wellbeing is for the long run.

[โ€“] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago

Don't be afraid to be average. There's nothing wrong with high aspirations and if that's what you want then go for it but down the line should you realize that the effort you've put in has not brought the future you may have hoped for please don't beat yourself up about it. Not everyone needs to be the best in their field or a CEO or whatever it is you want to do. There's no shame in being mediocre in your career. As long as you can provide a comfortable life for yourself and the people you care about you've succeeded.

I find that this mentality helps me especially because while I do want to be exceptional I am not at all afraid of failing in that goal. It's significantly less stressful.

[โ€“] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago

Shit yourself

[โ€“] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Someone gave me good advice, and it has worked out well, so far. Put money away for retirement. Even a little bit will multiply as the years go on.

[โ€“] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago

Yeah depending on where you put it, it might shrink

[โ€“] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago

Wash your dick first.

[โ€“] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

Get a habit of tracking your habits. When you know everything you do while "on autopilot" and why, - you can outsource a lot of chores and work to your "autopilot" self by setting up your routines and habits correctly.

This skill is best learned as soon as possible, and it's a shame it's not taught in schools. 20s is a good time - all the momentum you gain within next 20 years can carry you the rest of the way.

Also, don't be hard on yourself for failing. You'll see tons of good advice - a lot of it will seem essential (like being financially responsible), for good reasons. Just know that failing at all these things does not necessarily make you a failure or a bad person. Who knows what struggles you might/will face - as long as you survive and take care of your loved ones, you should be ok. Ultimately that is all we can do.

Also, try to engage with physical things more: people IRL next to you, touch grass, craft something with your hands. Of it's not physical, it exists in your head, - and your head might not always be the best place to spend most your time.

[โ€“] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

Find time to talk to people in person, at least the ones that are close to you. Just go with them for coffee/snack/beer and talk without the aid of technology.

EDIT : Make it a rule to have coffee/snacks/drinks only in company of real people.

[โ€“] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Save money, invest money. And enjoy what you have for as long as possible.

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[โ€“] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Start a meditation practice. Set aside time to sit quietly for 10+ minutes a day, not doing anything, without worrying about what you may or may not be accomplishing by doing so. Optionally look up additional basic instructions, but the specifics aren't that important.

[โ€“] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (1 children)

Or even a semi-meditative morning routine. I have some time between when I take a medication and when I eat breakfast, so I use that to brew up some nice tea. There's something grounding about starting every day with a teapot full of nice hot tea. I think it's something about both the routine and smell.

[โ€“] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Not to dismiss your positive experience with making tea in the morning, but I don't think you can really substitute other activities for meditation, it is its own thing.

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[โ€“] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

Read black shirts and reds by Michael Parenti

[โ€“] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

Develop a consistent meditation practice

[โ€“] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

Buy what you value, not merely what you can afford.

[โ€“] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

Don't wait. Never wait. Things aren't going to get better, just do it now. There is no better time, if you want to do something do something.

[โ€“] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

While it's good to dive into abstract philosophy, it's good to have practical skillset, especially something you can (for lack of better word) monitize one way or another.

I'm lucky that my passion and my education allow me to have some trade. I also know quite a lot of people who are in their prime, or even past, who regret not having any specific skillset they developed when they were younger. I definitely know more art students who are thriving more in food & beverage industry rather than actually in art.

One thing that I regret would be not maintaining all my relations with friends and acquaintances. It's harder to make friends as you get older.

Last but not least: don't burn thru your savings. In fact, try to make it grow, the sooner the better.

[โ€“] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)
  • Live for the memories, and live for yourself first.
  • Do not become a "nice guy" doormat for others.
  • Beware of "rational" people that invent rationale, weasel around dictionary definitions and immorally lie their way through things.
  • Don't smoke, don't drink, don't do drugs, and don't engage in consumerism.
  • The Optimal Morning Routine by Dr. Andrew Huberman. Try and follow as much of it as possible. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gR_f-iwUGY4

[โ€“] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

Start habits, but small ones. Envision what your ideal "you" would do, whether that be eating clean, investing for retirement, reading, working out, running, etc, and then scale them way back and start today. If you envision your ideal self reading a book a week, read a few pages right before you sleep, and do it regularly until you form that habit. If you want to eat clean, start by looking at ingredient lists and try to pick more whole foods with less processing.

Your life is a journey to your better self.

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