Social
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Focus on being close to people who are happy specifically because of your presence, rather than just those who make you happy.
When things go wrong, your entire world can fall apart if you lack this mutual support.
one person who lived it
Stop hanging around people who are going nowhere in life.
IT ACTUALLY MATTERS
one person who lived it
Accept that people come and go, and being nice does not guarantee they will be nice back.
one person who lived it
Expand your social circle to reduce the impact of individual cancellations on your plans.
Having more friends means a single cancellation represents a smaller percentage of your total group.
one person who lived it
Balance career effort with investing in friendships.
Prioritizing career too heavily at the expense of friendships can lead to regret later.
- Based on one person's experience looking back at their 20s.
one person who lived it
Take improv or comedy classes to build social confidence.
It will help you tremendously.
one person who lived it
Avoid friends who wreck resolutions, as they can undermine efforts to quit vices.
Friends wreck people's resolutions more than expected.
one person who lived it
Make friends before starting to think about romantic partners.
3 people, independently
Lean into friendships and community building, push outside your comfort zone, and get comfortable doing things alone, such as through solo travel.
one person who lived it
1 more on this
Value authenticity and the unglamorous sides of people, recognizing that everyone has such aspects.
People are often afraid of others seeing their unglamorous side, yet authentic people are attractive regardless of appearance.
one person who lived it