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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[–] [email protected] 0 points 3 months ago

Have a sense of humor and don't be so serious all the time.

To prove that I don't struggle to understand what highly-specific means - read this book from eCover to eCover.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 months ago

if you're peeing outdoors, don't pee uphill.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago

My advice is: Don't take anyone's advice.

You're 20. This is the time for you to take a shot at whatever the fuck you want.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 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.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Learn to Cook 3 or 4 different meals extremely well.

Not only is it good for your own health (mental & physical), but it will leave a great impression on others.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago

This is the best advice because cooking healthy is cheap and protects you from illnesses. Being a bad cook, your relinquish autonomy. Bad cooking skills make you dependent from others who will feed you for more money and worse quality. Besides, inviting friends over for dinner makes you feel connected so it’s great for your mental health. Opposite sexes find good cooking skills attractive, you dont need to brag

[–] [email protected] 3 points 7 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.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 7 months ago

Yeah depending on where you put it, it might shrink

[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago

Develop a consistent meditation practice

[–] [email protected] -2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Given your examples are "Do this" kinds of advice, here's one with no malice or sarcasm: figure it out on your own.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 7 months ago

Here's a question with no malice or sarcasm: how on Earth did you manage to read the whole thing and then proceed to give the most vague advice in the whole thread?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 7 months ago

Shit yourself

[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

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

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago

This. Learn basic economics at a young age and compound interest shall serve you well.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 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.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago

Therapy is useful and probably would help most people in at least a small way. We're finally at a point where it's not something people feel the need to hide. If there's anything in your life that you think may benefit from it, starting early can go a really long way.

I'm very far from who I was going to turn into because of the many valuable moments of insight found thanks to great therapists (three over ~30y). And don't write it off if you don't vibe with a therapist. Experience tells me that it's about a two-to-one ratio of bad fit to good. Asses in the first few sessions whether you think the person is a good fit and, if needed, move on.

[–] [email protected] 18 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Here's my highly specific (hypocritical) advice:

Don't take advice from Reddit or Lemmy on any important matter. You don't know these people, and they don't know you. Some people have good ideas. Most don't. The ability to think for yourself and determine what's best for you is the best skill you can have. A review from Lemmy or Reddit on a product is fine. Life advice from internet strangers is almost always garbage.

Here's some more highly specific meta advice: Change your socks every day. What the fuck people..

[–] [email protected] 4 points 7 months ago

Also listen to that other dude in this thread that mentioned dental hygiene. That's bangin' advice.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 7 months ago

Consume some "older" media. Like Predator, Terminator 2, Kindergarten Cop, Cyborg, Star Trek TOS, Black Sabbath, David Bowie, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (book), Biggles.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 7 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.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 7 months ago

Make note of your friends phone numbers, emails and addresses (not just via social media), especially the ones from earlier years, and keep track of them with regular calls, notes or visits. Forty or fifty years from now, after the cycles of graduations, weddings, babies, moves, etc. you'll have some golden relationships.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago

Open a 401k account, and start contributing to it. Funds permitting, try to max out your yearly contributions as much as current rules allow. Doubly so if your employer does any sort of matching. It's pre-tax, and you won't feel it per paycheck, but it adds up over the years.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 7 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago

Here is an alternative Piped link(s):

https://piped.video/S-YsGdjkIgw

Piped is a privacy-respecting open-source alternative frontend to YouTube.

I'm open-source; check me out at GitHub.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 7 months ago

As an eastern European nearing their 30s in a situation much less extreme than yours - do not fall for "patriotism". I do not mean the "go and fight for your people" type. That takes guts and mentality I do not possess.

I mean the "doing X is unpatriotic" type. Usually comes from "patriotic" formations who follow a certain narrative and work for the interests of other countries. Look for buzzwords like traditional values, us vs them, targeting a group of people as a whole, claiming to get back "what is ours" (territory lost centuries ago, not currently occupied land). Big social media presence coupled with self-produced "reports" and "news articles" (bonus points if they have their own mass media channels) are also a giveaway.

Thank you but I won't let your aggressor, through puppet parties, dictate what about my attitude and views is patriotic and what isn't.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago

Get a good, ergonomic mattress, don't spare expenses. It will pay off in a decade when you'd otherwise start getting back pains.

[–] [email protected] -1 points 7 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.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Gardening. Start with a cherry tomato plant. There’s nothing better than picking food you grew, and tending to a garden is a joy.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 7 months ago (1 children)

My plant of choice are strawberries.
Easy to grow and offshoots can be planted again. No need to buy new ones.
Bonus: They are way sweeter than the ones from the store and may be only beat (barely) by farmer markets.
Nothing beats a fresh plucked sun warmed strawberry.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago

I’ve yet to try fruits. You’ve given me the nudge I needed!

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