100 General Rules for Life That Everyone Should Follow

1. Tell the people in your life how much you appreciate them.
2. Keep a balanced diet.
3. Pay your bills on time.
4. Don’t wear a white shirt when drinking grape juice, red wine or when eating spaghetti.
5. Reconnect with old friends.
6. Make new friends.
7. Invest in experiences, not things.
8. Make time to travel.
9. You don’t need to say “yes” to everything.
10. Floss your teeth.
11. Get a decent pair of running shoes.
12. Your story can be rewritten. Nothing is set in stone.
13. Don’t fill up on bread at the restaurant.
14. Job rejections are never personal.
15. Develop a new hobby.
16. Have a mentor and be a mentor to someone.
17. “I don’t know” is an acceptable answer.
18. Don’t buy household appliances from the dollar store.
19. A handwritten thank you card goes a long way.
20. Just because you’re available to do something doesn’t mean you have the capacity.
21. Take your medication.
22. Normalize going for therapy and make it accessible to everyone.
23. It’s okay to go out wearing sweatpants. We all have our “sweatpants radius.”
24. It’s okay to not have everything figured out yet.
25. If your pet appears during a Zoom meeting, you are obligated to introduce them.
26. Normalize turning your camera off on Zoom.
27. Saying “I don’t see race” is not a solution to racism.
28. Take a day off.
29. Don’t skip breakfast in the morning.
30. Start every day with a set of goals, even small goals, of what you’re planning to accomplish.
31. Order in once in a while. You deserve it.
32. Limit your use of social media.
33. Join a support group.
34. Disability is not always physical.
35. Disability, gender, race, etc. are never independent but rather intersecting concepts.
36. Everyone has a voice.
37. It’s okay to ask for space.
38. Crying is a vital life skill to have.
39. Keep a well-stocked fridge.
40. Cook with fresh vegetables.
41. Eat some chocolate once in a while.
42. Everything tastes better with cheese.
43. Do some yoga.
44. Relationships take hard work, but when you meet the right person, it’s worth it.
45. Manage your finances.
46. Don’t watch the news. It’s anxiety-provoking.
47. Look after your mental health as much as your physical health.
48. Do some yoga.
49. Challenge your misconceptions.
50. Uplift marginalized voices.
51. Donate your time, energy or money to support a good cause.
52. Get married if you want to get married. Have kids if you want kids. Don’t do it just because it’s the thing to do.
53. Life paths and career paths are not linear.
54. Eat with a fork and knife, unless you’re having ribs or wings.
55. Someone who is nice to you, but rude to a server, still isn’t a nice person.
56. If you see someone having lunch alone, join them. Be their friend.
57. If you have to choose between two evils, pick the one you’ve never done before.
58. Make a point of asking someone every day how they are doing. Never underestimate the value of checking in.
59. Not everything needs to be said. Have a social filter.
60. Do one thing a day that scares you.
61. When in doubt, go for a walk.
62. Replace the milk if you finish it.
63. Slow down and take breaks. It’s not a race.
64. Honesty is always the best policy.
65. Revisit your childhood memories.
66. Stay off your phone in the evening.
67. Practice mindfulness.
68. It’s okay to fail but own up to your mistakes and learn from them.
69. Take off your shoes when you’re at someone else’s house.
70. Bring something if you’re invited to someone else’s house.
71. Give people the space to be upset instead of telling them to relax.
72. Bring a phone charger wherever you go. It’s not heavy and you may need one.
73. Pursue meaning instead of happiness.
74. A bad day is not a bad life.
75. Listen to audio books/podcasts.
76. Sing in the shower.
77. Scented candles are great for relaxation.
78. Never spend a whole day inside. Get fresh air.
79. Put the toilet seat down when you’re done.
80. Be forgiving of yourself and others. We all make mistakes.
81. No one expects you to be the best version of yourself.
82. Have a creative outlet.
83. It’s okay to acknowledge your privilege but use it to help others.
84. Don’t clip your toenails in public.
85. Be aware of your surroundings.
86. Stretch your muscles.
87. Moderate your coffee intake.
88. Drink tea.
89. Stay hydrated.
90. Invest in a planner.
91. Get enough sleep.
92. It’s okay to be lazy. Productivity ebbs and flows.
93. Get a plant.
94. It’s not their “preferred” pronouns. It’s just their pronouns. It’s not a choice. It’s literally their identity. Use the right pronouns.
95. Don’t tell someone that they’re stronger for any traumatic experience. No one wants to hear that.
96. Get out of your comfort zone.
97. Take an improv class.
98. You’re never too old to make changes in your life.
99. Sometimes you may not feel fantastic, but you are.
100. Love yourself, no matter what.

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Previously Published on Medium

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