Tuesday, April 20, 2010

My Philosophies and Other Unsolicited Advice

  • Aim for average--it will get you further than perfectionism ever will.
  • Good moms work themselves out of a job.
  • You might as well look on the bright side.
  • Don't burn bridges.
  • The house doesn't have to be spotless.
  • Take good care of your skin.
  • If you haven't learned to enjoy sitting by a pool, you need to practice until you do.
  • Don't buy it just because it's on sale.
  • The salon hair products are worth it.
  • Laughing is the best.
  • Avoid regret.
  • Marry your best friend.
  • Let people be who they are.
  • A good education is worth the cost.
  • Let the kids stay up a little later.
  • Make cookies and give them to people.
  • You're never too good for fast food.
  • Go to new places.
  • Say yes to things that scare you.
  • Say no sometimes so that people know you have boundaries.
  • Have boundaries.
  • If you accidentally use someone else's toothbrush, just put it back and try to forget about it.
  • Give people the benefit of the doubt.
  • Everybody is a product of their own experience.
  • Holding on to the past feels right, but it isn't.
  • Never forget the beauty of a grilled cheese sandwich.
  • Always look for online coupons before you order anything.
  • Question everything, and don't be afraid of the answers.
  • Be patient with yourself.
  • Avoid being part of a majority.
  • Tip 20% unless it's bad service.
  • Don't judge.
  • If you can't help but judge, keep it to yourself or your spouse. Don't blab.
  • Ask people about themselves and then listen.
  • Don't leave your underwear on the floor. The dog will eat it.
  • Give funny greeting cards.
  • Avoid pointing out the positives to someone who is sad or mad. Listen and let them be.
  • Play music in your house.
  • Tuck your kids in at night.
  • If someone has hurt you, and you want a relationship with them, talk it out.
  • If someone has hurt you, and you don't want a relationship with them, let it go.
  • Letting it go is easier said than done.
  • Be a friend to yourself.
  • Say, "I love you."
  • Make friends with smart, interesting people.
  • Your kids should be a teensy bit afraid of you.
  • Be true to yourself.
  • Do what you think is right.
  • Work hard, but have a lot of fun.
  • Buy from small businesses.
  • Fight fair. 
  • Don't go to stuffy parties.
  • Give stuff away.
  • Be their parent, not their friend.
  • Use Priceline to book your hotel rooms.
  • There is always another solution. There is always another way.
  • Don't waste your money on stupid movies.
  • Don't waste your money on team sports pictures for your six-year-old.
  • Give sincere compliments.
  • Don't use boring paint colors.
  • Sing in the shower, the kitchen, and the car.
  • Swear sometimes; it makes you feel better.
  • Speed up on the freeway on-ramp.
  • Let people know the real you.
  • Buy two gallons of milk. Running out of milk sucks.
  • Write, write, write. Then write some more.
  • Order dressing on the side.
  • Avoid home-hosted selling parties if you're a pansy (like me) and feel obligated to buy stuff.
  • Don't give unsolicited advice, unless it's on your blog.

That's my list. What's on yours?

22 comments:

Kristina P. said...

Priceline reallly works, huh?

Alyssa said...

Great advice!
Although that whole enjoying sitting by the side of a pool thing. It makes me restless. I guess I need practice.

amy said...

This is the kind of unsolicited advice I'll take - great list. Just clicked print!

Heidi said...

I hear ya on the milk thing! That's why I buy 4 gallons at a time, you can never be too careful. Think how you'd feel if you found a pack of Oreos and there was no milk in the house? That's the sort of tragedy I aim to avoid.

Angie said...

Genius. Good Job.

Did you really use someone else's toothbrush?

Becky said...

I LOVE this list! I am going to print it out and read it every day. How did I get so lucky to have such a wise friend?

Hildie said...

I agree with you on everything except I hate grilled cheese.

Leslie said...

Thanks for the great advice! You can give me unsolicited advice any time -- oh, wait, does that make it solicited?

Lindy-Lou said...

Good stuff, Tiff. I'd write more, but we're almost out of milk, so I'm outa here!

Mia said...

Fantastic list. I feel about diet coke the way you do about milk. Buy two, otherwise you will always run out on a Sunday.

Really the entire list is fantastic. I was going to pick out my three favorite, but it turned into my favorite 67 (I don't have a dog and I've never used priceline)...

Annie said...

Brilliant! The most important piece of advice for all mankind: speed up on the freeway on-ramp. YES! And swearing sometimes DOES make you feel better! The hardest one for me: let people know the real you. I've been thinking about that one all day. I completely agree with everything on this list! It makes me wish we were real life friends...

I might do a similar post on my own blog but I promise to give you credit. I hope "don't take other people's blog post ideas" isn't on your advice list...

kami @ nobiggie.net said...

I love your advice! I'd sit by the pool with you any day. Doesn't that sound nice?!

I want to do this one!

Jill said...

Great list-
hilarious
heart-warming
wise
true

loved it!

Kellybee said...

Loved your advice...my bit of advice would be to try to sleep in at least one or two days a week...if you don't have a newborn... and always keep chocolate hidden somewhere in your kitchen, so if you get a craving, there is always some around. Also, never stop learning! Visit places with history.

Christy said...

This is a great list, it really made me think about some things. Especially the one about "If someone has hurt you & you want a relationship talk it out, If someone has hurt you & you don't want a relationship, let it go" That's good, really good, just what I needed to hear.

Jesse C said...

Most excellent list my dear sister.

Kate said...

I love this post. A lot. Reminds me of Robert Fulgum (sp?).

My philosophies acquired in my short 17 years:

Learn to play music. It builds your soul.

Read and read and read. Everything.

Do hard things.

Be brave.

MAB said...

This reminds me that recently I found a list of similar advice that I wrote down from one of those "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" types books. One stood out to me as a funny thing to write down: Never encourage anyone to be a lawyer.

My unsolicited advice: Always stop at any kid's road-side stand and buy whatever they are selling.

Miss B-SIDE said...

Smart advice, thanks for sharing!! :)

Omgirl said...

Don't be afraid to say NO to soliciters. If necessary be rude. You are not obligated to buy anything from anyone who approaches you, no matter how nice they seem.

(I have learned this the hard way so many times. I just have a policy now that I NEVER buy anything from someone who has approached me--whether by phone or door to door or in the mall. If I haven't sought them out myself, the answer is no. Because guaranteed, they are making money doing it and that means it's going to cost me more, upfront or down the road. Just say no!)

Omgirl said...

p.s. I'm glad you added the one about "if someone has hurt you and you don't want a relationship, let it go" because you are right, it really is easier said than done. But so much better for your emotional health in the end.

Miranda said...

I keep this post starred so that I can read it every so often. I honestly think this is some of the best unsolicited advice I have ever read.

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