The Problem with "Good Advice"

Context-blind advice giving in a custom-made problem world

Initial post got mistakenly deleted. had to re upload 😭. anyways enjoy ☺️

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Photo by Viktor Talashuk on Unsplash

You know the type—the unsolicited "advice-giver." They mean well (at least, you think they do). They swoop in with words of wisdom, delivered with the confidence of someone who’s never actually walked in your shoes. “Here’s what you should do.” “If I were you…” “You know what your problem is?”

We’ve all been there—both as the victim of this advice and, let’s be honest, the one dishing it out. Because let’s face it: it’s far easier to have opinions on other people’s lives than to confront the messy uncertainty of our own.

The thing about advice is this: it’s often a projection, not a prescription. People aren’t telling you what you should do; they’re telling you what they would do—or wish they had done. Their “wisdom” is shaped by their own fears, insecurities, and experiences. And while their intentions might be noble, their perspective is inherently limited.

Take the classic career advice: “Just follow your passion.” Sounds great, right? Except passion doesn’t pay rent. Or the relationship advice: “Just leave. You deserve better.” Easy to say when you’re not the one untangling years of shared memories, finances, or the fear of being alone.

The truth is, most advice is context-blind. It doesn’t consider your unique circumstances, your inner battles, or the complexities of your situation. It’s a one-size-fits-all solution in a world of custom-made problems.

So what do you do with all this “good advice”? Here’s a thought: listen to it, but don’t be bound by it. Treat it like a buffet—take what resonates, leave the rest. And, above all, trust yourself. No one knows your life better than you do.

And if you’re the advice-giver, maybe pause for a second before chiming in. Ask yourself: “Am I offering this because they truly need it, or because I need to say it?” Sometimes, the best advice isn’t advice at all—it’s listening. Because people don’t always need answers. Sometimes, they just need someone to sit with them in the questions.

So, the next time someone offers you their two cents, smile, nod, and remember: advice is cheap. But your intuition? That’s priceless.