Unsolicited Advice
Why wait for readers to ask questions before suggesting solutions? An advice column that cuts out the middleman.
The catharsis model of anger is a myth. 'Letting off steam' makes you feel more angry, more frequently.
The basic problem with this idea is that it's been disproven in a tonne of studies.
I don’t buy the “cult of busyness” argument
People say they’re “busy” because it’s the only kind of No anyone respects.
Old happy couples: running out of things to talk about vs being able to be silent together
What a blessing it is to have a friend to whom one can speak fearlessly on any subject; with whom one’s deepest as well as one’s most foolish thoughts come out simply and safely.
How to survive solitary confinement
From someone who's been through it: you'll go crazy anyway, so go crazy with intention, to protect your brain.
Stop saying "I wouldn't have expected you to like that!"
Learn to bite your tongue on this one because it is massively annoying (as you probably know, since it's probably happened to you).
"Is it tacky to tell someone the gift you got them is high-value?"
A gift that requires special care is giving them an object, but taking away their time - since most people are time-poor rather than object-poor, this may not be a good trade-off.
On overthinking things, and telling people not to overthink things
Pretty close to 100% of the people who have told me not to overthink things are people with a history of poor decision-making.
![If someone says "I don't like [thing]", resist the urge to say "you just haven't tried the right [thing]!"](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1622844129240-b35b5595a11b?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=MnwxMTc3M3wwfDF8c2VhcmNofDF8fGFubm95aW5nfGVufDB8fHx8MTY0NjgwMzAyNQ&ixlib=rb-1.2.1&q=80&w=1460)
If someone says "I don't like [thing]", resist the urge to say "you just haven't tried the right [thing]!"
Or "But have you tried [specific version of thing]?" You know it's annoying so stop yourself.
"Should I go to that thing or stay home?"
There are three basic phases of life, and we’re constantly cycling between them: Pushing Yourself, Overdoing It, and Resting.
Which side will your margin of error fall on?
If your plan is based around perfect judgement and no mistakes ever, that is a terrible plan.