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Tell HN: I'm 18 years old today

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81–87 of 87 posts

Re: Tell HN: I'm 18 years old today

#81
- Your personality, lifestyle, and communication habits become a blend of your 5-10 closest friends mannerisms. You won't notice this happening, but it happens. Choose wisely.

- Pick friends that will challenge you to be the best human you can be, but also people you're comfortable with so you can just hang and relax. Don't pick people that hold you back, exert control over you, or drag you down.

- Friendships don't always have to be geographically/locally convenient. It's totally acceptable to make friendships based on shared interests over the internet. And travel to meet and hang out with them. My friends in this category are far stronger than my "local" friends.

- Drugs aren't bad, but overuse of any drug absolutely is—this includes both one time binging (like at a party) or daily use.

- Ask for feedback from people you trust, in both life and work. This feels weird, but if you're asking the right people you can get great honest insight for how to be a better friend/coworker.

- In a relationship, work toward being 100% honest with your partner(s). Secrets always corrupt.

- Carve your own path through life, have insatiable curiosity toward everything, and fight the status quo to improve things for yourself and others. You don't need to go down the "default route", but make sure your chosen route fits your long term plan with a reasonable expectation for success (adjusted for your risk tolerance).

Re: Tell HN: I'm 18 years old today

#82
post #8

Avoid alcohol. Starts out fun, ends up miserable.

Avoid abstinence from anything you desire. It only makes you want it more. As Penn Jillette said, abstinence is just another kink.

Heh, or like Jimi (Hendrix) said, "Everything in moderation. Including moderation".

Re: Tell HN: I'm 18 years old today

#83
Moderation in all things including moderation itself. I.e. go crazy occasionally.

Have goals and do stuff that moves you in that direction rather than life being a random walk.

Fully fund any 401K plan you have access to.

Travel cheap while you are young.

Take risks in your 20s. 30s and 40s are likely to be about family. 50s are often career peak except for math and software whizzes.

What matters when you reach 60s and 70s is comfort, security and family especially grandkids.

Re: Tell HN: I'm 18 years old today

#84
post #20

Date people you admire and want to be like. If you are not from the south and move to the south, you will inevitably pick up a southern accent. It is unavoidable. This type of osmosis true of relationships too. You will pick up parts of your spouse's personality, for better or worse.

Depends what age you are when you move - under 20 you will change accent completely, over 25 you will hardly change at all, but will use different words/slang.

Re: Tell HN: I'm 18 years old today

#86
post #6

Find a passion(s). Understand that few people, at least in Western culture, attain wealth or social status from whatever their passion(s) may be. If your passion(s) is associated with a relatively low-paying career, consider the possibility of keep your passion(s) as a hobby, and pursue a career that pays well and allows you time for your hobby/passion outside of work. Understand the tremendous power of long-term, co…

practical to the roof tops!
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