January 19 was my 39th birthday. Also the day Tiktok was supposed to end and the day before the inauguration. I have not been feeling very celebratory. People near and far are coming down with the flu and norovirus. It has not felt like a gentle start to the year.
But in the spirit of growing older and hopefully wiser, and in light of the grim political scene, I want to share some wisdom I’ve gathered. Almost none of it is about clothes, but I am hoping you will find it worthwhile anyways. Some of this I’ve learned through trial and error, some of it is made up, some of this people have shared with me. I solicited advice on Instagram and Substack notes and from friends and family via text.
I also just want to say—I love consuming advice content. But maybe you don’t! I don’t think there is any wisdom or advice that is necessarily applicable in all situations. Please feel free to take any of this advice—but also feel free to twist it or turn it on its head or ignore it completely. Take it with a grain of salt, is what I’m saying!
And obviously: I am not a medical or any other type of professional from whom you should take advice!
If you have good advice or a piece of wisdom you carry around with you, I’d love to hear about it.
Be the version of your child self that you were before anyone made you doubt yourself.
If you’re obsessing about something someone said 24 hours later, ask them about it within 48 hours.
Let the fruit ripen on the vine.
(Advice I got from a psychic, meaning be patient / wait for the right time.)Instead of offering advice, listen.
It’s okay to change your mind.
If you can’t sleep, just rest.
(Advice my mom gave me as a child.)
Never assume that you know how someone else feels or what they want. It’s better to ask.
After the paywall… 31 more wisdoms! Including
some from a plumber
my best headache advice
finally one about clothes
one piece of advice I unearthed from an ancient email