Lisa O
There’s no shortage of life advice out there—some passed down for generations, others shared in motivational posts or viral videos. While a few of these sayings might sound inspiring initially, not all of them hold up in real life. In fact, some tips can be misleading, unhelpful, or even harmful when taken too seriously. Here are 15 popular pieces of life advice that don’t always work the way people claim they do.
“Follow your passion, and the money will follow.”
This sounds amazing in theory, but not all passions come with a paycheck. Loving something doesn’t automatically make it profitable or sustainable, especially if there’s no demand for it or the industry is tough to break into. It’s better to balance passion with practical skills, market needs, and a strategy—because doing what you love is great, but you still have to pay the bills.
“Fake it till you make it.”
Pretending to be confident or experienced can sometimes help you push through nerves, but taking this too far can lead to imposter syndrome, stress, or even getting caught in a situation you’re not prepared for. Long-term success usually comes from learning, not pretending. Acting like you know everything when you don’t can backfire fast, especially in professional settings where people expect real results.
“If you just work hard, you’ll succeed.”
Working hard is important, but it’s not the only factor that leads to success. Timing, opportunity, networking, and even privilege all play big roles. Plenty of people work incredibly hard and still struggle, while others get ahead through connections or luck. The truth is that smart work, strategic decisions, and access to resources often matter just as much—if not more—than raw effort.
“Good things come to those who wait.”
Waiting patiently might help in some situations, but you can miss out entirely if you’re always waiting and never acting. Opportunities rarely land in your lap just because you’re patient. Taking initiative, speaking up, or stepping outside your comfort zone often brings better results. Being passive for too long can make life pass you by before the “good things” even show up.
“Always stay positive.”
Positivity has its place, but forcing yourself to be cheerful all the time—especially when things are clearly hard—can be damaging. This kind of thinking, called “toxic positivity,” can make people feel ashamed for struggling or avoid dealing with real issues. It’s healthier to acknowledge your feelings, face problems head-on, and allow yourself to be human instead of pretending everything is fine.
“Never give up.”
Perseverance is admirable, but knowing when to walk away is just as important. Sticking with something that’s not working can waste time, energy, and mental health. Sometimes quitting is the smartest move—especially if your goals change, your path becomes unhealthy, or you’ve learned enough to know better. There’s a fine line between determination and stubbornness, and quitting doesn’t always mean failure.
“Treat others how you want to be treated.”
It’s a kind thought, but it assumes everyone wants the same things you do. What makes you feel respected or cared for might not be what someone else needs. A more useful version is “treat others how they want to be treated,” which encourages empathy and understanding. Real respect comes from learning about others’ boundaries, cultures, and perspectives—not just applying your own standards to them.
“You can sleep when you’re dead.”
This hustle-culture motto makes burnout sound like a badge of honor. However, sacrificing sleep and rest for productivity often leads to exhaustion, poor health, and sloppy work. Being busy all the time doesn’t mean you’re successful—it might just mean you’re overdoing it. Rest isn’t lazy; it’s essential. You can’t do your best work if you’re constantly running on empty, no matter how ambitious you are.
“Love means never having to say you’re sorry.”
This romantic line might sound very sweet, but in real relationships, saying sorry is essential. Everyone makes mistakes, even with people they love. Apologizing shows respect, accountability, and a willingness to grow. Believing that love excuses bad behavior or removes the need to apologize can lead to unhealthy dynamics. Saying sorry is one of the strongest things you can do.
“Everything happens for a reason.”
This phrase can feel comforting during tough times, but it can also dismiss real pain or unfair experiences. Not everything has a deeper meaning or lesson attached. Some things happen—without warning, logic, or purpose. It’s okay to say that something is just bad or difficult without trying to find a silver lining. Acceptance and healing often come faster when you stop forcing deeper meanings onto every hardship.
“Don’t take no for an answer.”
Persistence can be powerful, but ignoring a “no” can quickly turn into being pushy or disrespectful. Whether in business, relationships, or personal goals, there are times when no truly means no—and not respecting that can damage your reputation or harm others. Knowing when to push and when to pause or pivot is a skill that matters far more than stubborn refusal.
“You have to love yourself before anyone else can.”
Self-love is important, but this phrase can make people feel like they’re unworthy of love until they’ve got everything figured out. The truth is we grow through relationships, and sometimes, the kindness others show us helps us see our ownworth. You don’t need to be perfect or have complete confidence to be loved—you need to be open to growth, care, and connection.
“Time heals all wounds.”
Time can ease pain, but healing usually takes more than just waiting. Real recovery often involves processing emotions, seeking help, setting boundaries, and doing the inner work. Some wounds fade with time, but others leave scars (physical and emotional) that need attention and care. Pretending that time alone is a fix can lead people to bottle things up instead of actually working through them.
“Be yourself, and everything will fall into place.”
Authenticity is valuable, but it’s not always enough to guarantee things will work out. Life often requires adapting, learning, and improving—not just staying the same no matter what. Being yourself matters, but so does growth. The key is finding the balance between staying true to who you are and being open to change and development when it’s needed.
“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
This one gets repeated a lot after tough experiences, but not every struggle leaves you stronger—some leave you hurt. Trauma can make people more anxious, guarded, or disconnected instead of resilient. While people do grow through hard times, they also need time, support, and sometimes therapy to truly heal. Strength isn’t just surviving—it’s learning how to care for yourself afterward.