25 People Share The Powerful Advice That Transformed Their Lives

Advice is like a treasure map—sometimes it leads us to unimaginable riches, and other times it’s just the guidance we need to navigate life’s challenges. Recently, someone on Reddit posed a simple yet profound question: “What is the best piece of advice that you’ve received?” The responses flooded in, each one a nugget of wisdom, reflecting the diverse experiences and perspectives of people around the world.

#1

Image source: anon, Andrea Piacquadio / pexels (not the actual photo)

Take the time and make the effort to figure out your boundaries. I wish so many people did this.

#2

Image source: arealhumannotabot, Antoni Shkraba / pexels (not the actual photo)

Measure twice, cut once.

I actually sometimes recall the moment my uncle told me that in a conversation when I was maybe 13 or 14. I think we were talking about it literally, cause I did have a woodworking class in school at the time.

It has helped me be more cautious when doing certain things though. Like when doing a task where I can’t redo it if I f**k up, I’ll be super super careful at each stage to be very aware of what’s going on.

#3

Wear a condom.

Image source: gooshavn

#4

Image source: myheart21, cottonbro studio / pexels (not the actual photo)

It wasn’t advice per se, but whenever I was going through a tough situation, my parents would always say “it’s temporary”. Whatever hardship I’m going through is temporary. It has helped me so much to put things in perspective. I’m trying to help my boyfriend right now by telling him that his job is abnormally hard right now but that it’s temporary and in a couple of weeks it’ll be back to normal.

#5

It may not be advice, but it was the best dose of tough love I had ever received. So maybe it was advice in some cosmic sense.

I was home visiting my dad and alma mater. My ex-fiance finally texted me that day to officially end our relationship. To make a long story short, it was a 3-year, toxic relationship that really took me through the wringer. I kept the relationship on life support up to that point, and quite frankly, the relationship changed me into an extremely anxious, fearful dude. I finally had enough – I wanted her to be the one to end it after everything that had transpired. She did so through a text of all things.

I was getting ready to go to a bar with my best friend to drown my sorrows and drink to a brighter future. My dad isn’t normally one to get involved in my relationships, but as I got ready to leave, my dad stopped me and grabbed me by my shoulders:

**Dad:** Son, I love you, and you’re one of the strongest men I’ve ever known … but whenever you meet a woman, you turn into a wet bag of s**t. You need to really think on that, and get back to who you are before you even think about getting involved with another woman.

I remember being stunned and pissed off all at the same time, because I knew he was right. It was what I needed to hear at the time, and I took a solid two years to heal and get to know myself again.

Without that bit a tough love, I’m not sure I would have made the same decision.*Edited for typos.*.

Image source: HruntingBlade

#6

Buy a plunger before you need a plunger.

Image source: olafthebent

#7

Image source: time2evns, Dimitri Kuliuk / pexels (not the actual photo)

Marriage isn’t 50/50. It’s 100/100. You don’t split duties and responsibilities. You both give your all, regardless of how much your spouse is giving.

There will be times when they won’t give as much, out of sickness or sadness or whatever reason. Instead of feeling like they should do more, just pick up the slack. There will be times when you can’t do your share either.
Dishes need doing? Do them.

Instead of asking whether they’re doing enough, ask if you can do more. Serve them. Give them yourself. If both people do this, it will be a happy marriage.

#8

Image source: Babalon33, Alena Darmel / pexels (not the actual photo)

Don’t recall where I heard this but…

“If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room”

The people who you surround yourself with especially in your young adult life will have a profound impact on the rest of your adulthood.
Surrounding yourself with driven and intelligent people will influence you positively.

#9

Image source: NiteAngyl, Field Engineer / pexels (not the actual photo)

Being an electrician working in industries: “trust no one.”

If the process operator is convinced that the power is shut off, go and see it for yourself.

If a trainee tells you he has tightened all and any bolts and screws, go and see it for yourself.

If your foreman sounds convincing enough that the materials for the job are ordered, go and see it for yourself.

It’s a philosophy not for sowing mistrust, but to ensure you can do your job properly and safely.

#10

Image source: Someonetobetoday, Karolina Grabowska / pexels (not the actual photo)

You don’t have to show up to every argument you’re invited to.

#11

Image source: Rickym09, cottonbro studio / pexels (not the actual photo)

When my dad passed away someone told me, “I’m sure you hear a lot of people saying how sorry they are and stuff like that. So I won’t tell you that, I will tell you this. Your dad may have passed from this world but he’s still alive in your memories, alive in the people’s lives he’s influenced, talked to, and met. He’s alive in you, your family, and your friends. He’s alive going forward because he’ll influence your future kid’s lives, he’ll influence your life going forward. Your will to live might be broken right now but you have to for your dad, your mom, and your family. Keep his memory alive because a person dies twice. Once in the real world and once when they are remembered for the last time. Make sure that last time isn’t in your life span.”

That really helped me through some dark times.

#12

Image source: ohyeahimember, RDNE Stock project / pexels (not the actual photo)

“You wouldn’t care what people think of you if you knew how seldom they do.”.

#13

Image source: NInjas101, Mikhail Nilov / pexels (not the actual photo)

Don’t set yourself on fire to keep others warm.

#14

Image source: 03throwaway03, cottonbro studio / pexels (not the actual photo)

Remember when you are fighting with your partner it is not you vs them. It’s you both vs the problem. Doesnt matter if one of you is right, fix the problem.

Alternatively, I was told once, after considering myself a fairly honorable man, when I did something wrong, a friend told me “being a good man isnt a thing. It’s a journey”.

#15

Image source: celbertin, Taryn Elliott / pexels (not the actual photo)

Get it in writting.

#16

Image source: me_at4am, cottonbro studio / pexels (not the actual photo)

Be the person you needed growing up.

#17

Image source: TannedCroissant

If you lend someone your pen for a minute, don’t give them the lid. You’ll always get your pen back.

#18

Image source: euandolan, cottonbro studio / pexels (not the actual photo)

Nothing is awkward until you convince yourself that it is.

#19

Image source: Python1662, Paramount Pictures / pexels (not the actual photo)

“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift” -Master Oogway.

#20

Image source: RocksOnPoint, Davide De Giovanni / pexels (not the actual photo)

“Don’t be an idiot.” Before I’m about to do something I think, “would an idiot do that?” And if they would, I do not do that thing.”.

#21

Image source: KeeleyCumming, cottonbro studio / pexels (not the actual photo)

“Once you learn something, no one can take it away from you”.

It really resonated with me, since I grew up with instability and uncertainty.

#22

Image source: tisonlymoi, MART PRODUCTION / pexels (not the actual photo)

Close your mouth and open your ears, nobody hears if everyone is talking, you’ll be amazed at what you learn.

#23

Image source: kpiork, cottonbro studio / pexels (not the actual photo)

It will still be here tomorrow.

Wisdom from my boss on having a huge to-do list at work and not stressing over it. Get done what you can today, what you don’t finish will be there to work on tomorrow and you don’t need to take the mental baggage of having a big to-do list home with you.

#24

Image source: anon, Yuri Manei / pexels (not the actual photo)

Control the controllable, let the rest go.

#25

Image source: PersonaNonGrata3301, Polina Tankilevitch / pexels (not the actual photo)

Always underpromise and overdeliver.