Older People Give Life Advice

We took to the streets of LA and London to ask that all important question, what advice would you give to your younger self?

In a modern day society that's filled with so much pressure, the common theme from our interviewees is to just stop being so afraid.

[abshirohassen]

I came to realise they almost all of them talked about "Don't be scared." Omg that's what always holds me back.

[war]

One thing I get from these videos is that when you are young take the opportunity to do things, don't let fear hold you back because when you get older you will regret that you never took the opportunity.

[youaregoingtolovethis]

It all really boils down to these:
Stop fearing failure and be less risk averse.
Stop fearing others judgement of you and how you would look.
Stop turning down experiences and opportunities that may never come again.
Stop putting things off and end up never getting around to doing those things.
Stop worrying and overthinking things too much and have more fun cause we all die anyways in the end.
Stop worrying about tomorrow and be more in the present as tomorrow isn't promised.

[newbegining]

In summary, key thing that most people have said is don’t be scared, let go of fear, don’t worry too much, have fun.
Need to remind myself often .

[cadenceolivia]

"spread my feathers and let my beauty shine" has me sobbing over my dinner potatoes

[sonnyroy]

I would NOT get married at such a young age (19), and if and when I did marry I would marry someone more emotionally and financially stable. The hardest and most important lesson I learned during my lifetime ( I'm 68) is how to say NO, I don't want to do that or NO I don't want that. Saying YES all the time so as not to hurt someone's feelings or to keep the peace is not healthy.

[mx.menacing]

As a person with an anxiety disorder, I agree. So much of my life has been spent worrying about things, not taking opportunities, and saying no to a lot of things.

This actually helps a lot, I hope this can plant a seed in me to start getting out of my shell more.

[linguaphile]

One that I haven't heard is, "Learn to set boundaries and say 'no' to things you don't believe in." I wish that at work I had ignored the BS things they gave us teachers to do, and just focused on my own mental well-being and connecting with students to teach them as well as I could. Learn to separate the must-do's from the shoulds, and ignore the shoulds if they don't further your agenda.

[palmamingozzi]

Don’t care what people think, live a great life, and be happy.

[redwoods]

I am 68 and I would like to tell younger people that it all works out. Don’t be afraid of your future. I know life is very high anxiety but you have the strength and intelligence inside yourself to work through your problems.

[dulimited]

I’m 62 and all I’d say to my younger self would be to have more confidence in myself and do what you love doing never doubt myself as anything yes anything is possible
I let go of many opportunities and careers thinking I was not cut out for that which I very much regret after seeing seeing that less competent people have succeeded in those fields
Believe in yourselves, never compare yourselves to others and persevere and you’ll be surprised

[weoniq]

My father (58) often says when I’m anxious about something stupid and ask him what to do: “don’t live so detailed” («не живите так подробно»), and it helps 😅

[ItsAkile]

I’m a “no thanks” and over-thinking, anxious kinda person, slowly started saying yes a bit. Live your life, don’t ruin it for others on your way out. ❤

[richardl]

Don’t be afraid says it all. My parents offered to send me to Granada uni in Spain as a 19yr old but being really shy I said no. Now as a 76 yr old I can genuinely say it’s been one of the biggest regrets of my life…….it was a doorway I should’ve gone thru. Don’t make the same mistake……go for it.
One final thought (added later on)……people in the video mention wasting emotional energy but it’s also worth bearing in mind that worrying is also physically exhausting; big time.

[kdavies]

I needed that . Both parents passed, sometimes you need to hear such things.

💯 Stay winning

[saintbees]

1. Think for youself
2. Put yourself first
3. Get and keep the money.
4. Dream but do also
5. Live as you believe
6. Never stop studying

[cloudyOso]

Hearing everyone talk about fear just reinforces the idea we all long for comfort and love. We’re all afraid of failing but failure is not our story. Great video

[markojokanovic]

Whole narrative comes down to:
"DON'T BE AFRAID"! ❤🎉

[ManicMaidenASMR]

That first woman spoke to me. I have really bad anxiety that has held me back in SO MANY things. I’ve cried so many times at the aspect of socializing, making big decisions, and cutting people off that made me lose a lot of opportunities and cost me my mental health. My mom says I need to “get over” my fear but it’s not that easy.
It’s getting better with therapy but I still struggle

[mycelialturtle]

Getting old is underrated. Theres so much to learn and experience in this world, and almost all of it makes you a better person each day