'Most opinions can be kept to yourself': 20+ unwritten rules about adulting

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Feb 13, 2024 2:00 PM EST

It's no secret that adulting constantly presents itself with unforeseen challenges. You sometimes wish you spent less energy in school on trigonometry and more energy on financial literacy, taxes, and how to secure work in a competitive job market. Of course, education on how to be a productive adult seems to be the one useful piece of material that is forever absent from our curricula. It's as if some mega-adult out there wants us all to fail. Sure, figuring things out as they go is one way of looking at adulting, but it would be a whole lot easier to get a heads-up on certain concepts.

The following list was compiled from this r/AskReddit thread and deals with more emotional life lessons that feel like "unwritten rules" about adulting. Keep scrolling below to see what these regretful adults had to say about their experiences. For more, check out this list of cringeworthy industry secrets.

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  • 01
    [1₂ r/AskReddit Posted by u/Avery-Reichert 8 hours ago 1.1k What's an 'unwritten rule' of life that everyone should know about? Frozenlime 7 hr. ago Your mental map of how things work is wrong in many ways. Reply Share ... PreparationNo3440 - 6 hr. ago Most opinions can be kept to yourself 217 Reply Share
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  • 02
    r/AskReddit Posted by u/Avery-Reichert 8 hours ago What's an 'unwritten rule' of life that everyone should know about?
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  • 03
    Do Not Touch_BOOOOOM 7 hr. ago You remember far more embarrassing moments about yourself than your environment remembers about you. ↑ 5.9k ↓ Reply Share
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  • 04
    RiseinAshes 7 hr. ago If you open something, 3.5k Reply close it Share
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  • 05
    thesparkleninjafairy 7 hr. ago You can do everything right and still not win, sometimes that's just life. 3.4k Reply Share
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  • 06
    marianormann - 7 hr. ago If you're walking in a group, don't take up the whole sidewalk/hallway/tunnel/railroad tracks/trail/path 3.2k Reply Share
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  • 07
    Cutegirl-4 7 hr. ago You having a bad day doesn't mean that you have to ruin other peoples day. 3.1k Reply Share
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    Fit-Measurement2466 7 hr. ago Always bring your own sunshine; don't rely on others to light up your days. ↑ 1.3k ↓ Reply Share
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  • 09
    fermat99977 hr. ago Most of our learning comes about through making painful mistakes Reply Share 1.2k
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  • 10
    Avery-Reichert OP . 8 hr. ago Always leave a place a little better than you found it. Whether it's cleaning up after yourself at a friend's place, picking up litter during a walk, or just offering a kind word to someone in need, these small acts of kindness and respect make a huge difference. It's about adding value to the world in tiny, manageable ways. ↑ 1.1k ↓ Reply Share
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  • 11
    Frozenlime 7 hr. ago Your mental map of how things work is wrong in many ways. Reply Share 1.1k
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  • 12
    pementomento. 7 hr. ago Not all rules are blindly meant to be followed. 906 Reply Share
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    BillyBatts83 6 hr. ago edited 2 hr. ago Learning to 'read the room' is one of the most important, and probably underrated, social skills to have in your locker. If you're leading a conversation and the other person/people start to look away, act slightly distracted, or interject with different topics, take the hint and change the subject. Not everyone is as interested as you are in your favourite topics. It doesn't mean you're boring (necessarily), but this isn't the right audience for whatever
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  • 14
    LoanThrowaway214 - 6 hr. ago The race is long, and in the end, it's only with yourself. 654 Reply Share
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  • 15
    Moon_Jewel90. 6 hr. ago Saying thank you, please or sorry when needed. There is nothing wrong in being polite. 622 Reply Share
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  • 16
    Naturage 6 hr. ago Secure your own oxygen mask before helping others. Seriously. Take this bit of advice and carry it whatever you go through. You can be the most empathetic, helpful, caring person, but even if that's your one goal, by neglecting yourself you won't be the best you can be for others. Sort out mess in your own life, don't carry loads you can't, and everything else will be so much simpler. 607 Reply Share
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  • 17
    DismalElk3 7 hr. ago I think this rule stands out the most "Treat others as you would like to be treated" 407 Reply Share
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  • 18
    PathEnvironmental399 7 hr. ago Never underestimate the power of a genuine smile; it's the universal language of kindness. 247 Reply Share
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  • 19
    WaterEnvironmental80 6 hr. ago Character is what you do/who you are when no one is watching. In most cases, hardships are not personal, no one is out to get you, and most things aren't nearly as important as you think they are. Both of these were recent comments from fellow Redditors and they both just really resonated with me. Reply Share 238
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  • 20
    mickdrop 7 hr. ago edited 5 hr. ago When it comes to your relationships, to make them work you have to be kind and honest. But when you can't be both, it's better to be honest than to be kind. Sometime "Me too" "I do too" is not the right answer to "I love you". (edited for grammar) 235 Reply Share
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  • 21
    Ⓡ PreparationNo3440 - 6 hr. ago Most opinions can be kept to yourself 217 ↓ Reply Share
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  • 22
    Misak192 6 hr. ago At a house party if the toilet door is closed it is occupied. when open it is available to use. So many ppl close the door after use when nobody is there ↑ 209 Reply Share
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  • 23
    Luci_Lewd 7 hr. ago Its not what you know, its who you know. 193 Reply Share
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  • 24
    Punny McPunface88 · 7 hr. ago The world does not care about your feelings. 161 Reply Share
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  • 25
    AngelicAriaXXX. 4 hr. ago Treat others how you want to be treated. It's simple, universal, and fosters respect and empathy in all interactions 158 Reply Share
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rules adulting askreddit Words Of Wisdom reddit thread Reddit funny
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