Guys Over 30 Share Life Lessons All Young Men Should Learn Early

While older generations pass on their wisdom to younger ones, some things are overlooked.

Younger people wish they were warned about some pieces of information they could've benefitted from but found out too late.

Assuming being in their 30s is when guys acquire enough knowledge to impart, Redditor BigShow786 asked:

"Men who are 30+, what’s one lesson every guy should learn early?"

It's All About Respect

"Don't let people treat you poorly. Not your girlfriend, not your buddy, not your family."

– The_Mikest

"Or your job."

– Typical_Nebula3227

"This is the biggest one. Your job probably takes up the most time of your life so if you hate your job, you'll hate your life."

– eddyathome

"But make sure your definition of 'poorly' is sane. Don't go fighting with everyone that gives you the slightest perceived disrespect or you'll come off as a fragile man-child. Pick your battles."

– Generico300

Gaining Perspective

"You are only young for a period of your life. You are actually "older" for most of your life so make sure your decisions take that into consideration."

– Jumpy-Ordinary4774

"In my 30s and I swear I’m still 26…"

"Make sure you experience things to make as many memories as you can…"

"Other than experiences, invest as much as possible and thank yourself later. Compounding interest is the 8th wonder of the world."

– JC_Hysteria

Taking Accountability

"Admit when you make a mistake and learn from it. And don’t try to hide them either."

"I’ve avoided so much conflict in my adult life by being able to go to someone and say 'I need you to know I made a mistake and I’m going to correct it' or else 'I messed up and I need help.' " 

"Trying to blame someone else when it was genuinely your fault always causes more problems, and mistakes you try to hide almost always get found out eventually."

– Araz728

It All Catches Up To You

"You're not indestructible. All the little injuries you pile up in your 20s and 30s will haunt you later."

– Eeeegah

"At 24 I jumped off a two story house to entertain people at a party. At 40 I feel like someone has taken a sledge hammer to my back. I'm not a detective but I think these two things are connected."

– sobegreen

"I still remember myself 15 years ago not believing older people telling me this. Boy, was i wrong.. Younger guys, we know how and what you think, but... IT'S ALL TRUE."

– Khastas

Stay Humble

"Know when to say 'I don't know' and 'I can't handle this, lets get a professional' you'll save yourself a lot of time money and the color of your hair instead of being bull headed and trying to do everything yourself."

– maxplaysmusic

"Counterpoint: if it doesn't cause major damage, be it physical, mental, or financial - then biting off more than you can chew can be a somewhat fun type 2 experience."

"For example, I got a bunch of cuts n bruises learning to change my brake rotors and pads, took ages, swore a lot, but in the end learned a new skill and saved money. Fixing a transmission though? Nah dog, I'm happy to get the professionals do that."

– hippocratical

Don't Take It For Granted

"By far, it has to be learning the value of TIME."

"So many people in this world don't grasp this until it's far too late in life. Don't waste your time doing things you hate, or being around bad people."

– SpontaneousDream

How You Treat Others

"Be kind, it's its own reward."

"It helps my mental health so much, just letting cars into your queue, saying please and thank you to people who don’t hear it often, talking to elderly people who rarely speak to others etc. Just trying to be a cheerful chill dude makes me very happy, happier than almost any possession I can think of buying."

– Chopper3

"You’re not that funny when you put other people down. You are more of a man when you lift people up."

– ikeepsitreel

"This 100%. I teach middle school students and I’m always trying to teach this. Also, how it shows way more strength to admit you’re wrong and apologize than lie and never own up to things."

– TravVdb

Stay Fit

"Work out."

– Gotabluemooninmyeye

"On a related note, it is a lot easier to not consume 300 calories than it is to burn 300 calories."

– 245246  

"100000000% This is the best blanket advice in here. I didn't start working out until I was 32. I was 50lbs over weight and felt like crap. Working out and making it a part of your daily routine has such a massive domino effect over your entire life, physically, mentally, routine, work ethic, literally everything."

"This should be mandatory for everyone to start at a young age and develop good habits. This coupled with proper eating/cooking habits are paramount."

– bighundy

"This WILL also decrease healthcare and insurance expenses if everyone was more mindful of what they do and what they eat. The actual effects of our energy sources that fuel our body is not well appreciated. Fast food companies shouldn’t be as powerful as they are."

"I’m ranting now but I can’t practice as a physical therapist without reporting every little thing for insurance to decide if I get paid but fast foods get to sell cancer and obesity and get ultra wealthy. Not a good healthcare system designed for the people."

– Now_Novel29

Smart With Money

"Start saving for retirement, I know you've all heard it but i can't stress how much more money you earn from the savings during your twenties."

"This is not a drill. Start saving money you don't touch til retirement."

"Up here in canada you are allowed to borrow against it for your first house down payment at low interest as well."

– I_am_3474347

Don't Let Life Happen To You

"The best way to improve your life is for you to improve your life. If you wait for someone or something to happen, it won't. Work today to improve your life in any way that you feel you need it."

– Ill-Air8146

Respect The Ladies

"Be 100% about your intentions honest with women, regardless of how you THINK it’ll affect them emotionally. Honesty and integrity are paramount, and you can’t control how someone feels."

– Quailgunner-90s

"To dovetail off this a little, also be willing to let someone go if that integrity makes you incompatible."

"If they can't live with your bionicle collection, and you can't live without it, you can live without them, and they can live without you."

"You can get priorities straight, sure, but don't become someone you're not to keep someone who doesn't want to be with the real you."

– Venusgate

"Absolutely, the right person will love you for your bionicle collection. I sure love my husband for all his weirdness, it's what makes him right for me. Yes, he likes to build plane models from scratch. Yes, I love it."

"Does it mean we have random plane blueprints wherever? Certainly. But that fits perfectly with my weirdness. He's the kind of man who would gift me a planisphere for my birthday, and I'm the kind of woman who would be excited about it."

– untamed-beauty

"There are literally millions of women. Why obsess over that ONE?"

– rawmerow

"This is great advice. Tough to follow when you only got one that gives you any attention, even if it’s just barely enough to keep you chasing her. Took too long to learn this lesson."

– Rajili

"I’m convinced this is the real reason Great Gatsby is taught in high school. It’s also a masterpiece etc but Jesus young males need to realize attraction isn’t love and there’s nothing you can do to make something like that mutual."

– Darkbro

"Make friends with women; And I don’t mean make friends with to have romantic relationships later… like just be platonic friends."

"Having someone that you can talk to with a different perspective can be so beneficial."

– WinstonChurchill74

Savor Each Moment

"Enjoy the ride. It’s over before you know it. take each chapter as it comes. don’t worry too much about the future or ruminate too much about the past. develop habits that recharge your life force. stay away from the energy vampires."

– Alexandertheape

When your hip starts making snap-crackly sounds, take it as a warning that you probably can't make those TikTok videos that those young whipper-snappers are doing.

I learned real quick that, even though I've been a dancer for decades, I can't continue making the way I used to in my 20s.

And when you injure yourself, like pulling a hamstring, it takes a lot longer to heal. And this is not exclusive to one gender.

Stop acting like a kid…is what I've always been told. Boy, is that relevant now more than ever. 🙄