The 5 Dangerous Pieces of “Advice” I’ve Heard as a Young Adult
Everyone loves sharing their pearls of wisdom with young adults. And most of the time, these nuggets of advice come from a good place…from people who genuinely want to see us succeed. But not all advice is created equal. And if left unquestioned/blindly followed, some of these commonly repeated phrases might end up doing more harm than good in the long run.
So today, let’s talk about some "advice" that really needs to be put under the microscope.
1. "You can get another loan to pay off your debt!”
Disclaimer: I’m not a financial advisor and this isn’t professional financial advice!
I totally understand why this can seem like a lifeline when you're drowning in debt, especially if you live in a country where financial literacy isn't exactly taught in school (looking at you, PH education systems). But if you’re reading this, please hear me out and pass this message along:
Taking on new debt to pay off existing debt can be a dangerous spiral. While debt consolidation can work for some people, it requires careful consideration, strong self-control, and a solid understanding of interest rates and repayment terms. Without that, you might end up digging yourself into an even deeper hole (and most likely with extra interest)!
2. "Fake it til you make it"
I used to tell myself this a lot…especially back in college. But now that I'm a bit older, I see how this well-intentioned advice can actually hold young people back.
The problem is it reinforces this idea that we're not enough as we are. And that we don’t have the capacity/possibility to be someone better. And instead of encouraging people to embrace their journey and actively work on self-improvement, it suggests that pretending is the answer. It’s not.
Because let's be real: there comes a point in life where you just can't fake it anymore. To “make it” in life you will need actual skills, grounded confidence, renewed mindsets, and established expertise. These things can only come to be through proper internal and external work.
3. "Having kids will make you responsible"
Repeat after me: CHILDREN ARE NOT PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT TOOLS!!
Being responsible should be a prerequisite for having kids, not the other way around.
Your future child isn't your life coach. They're a real human being who deserves parents who have already figured out the basics of adulting and understand that having a child is a life-changing decision that requires mental, emotional, physical, and financial preparation.
(But again, sadly, when sex education/family planning is taboo in a country, millions of people will have to deal with the consequences of unexpected/unwanted pregnancies)
4. "Stay at your job for 10+ years - loyalty above all!"
Full disclosure: I consider myself a pretty loyal person and employee. In my nearly 5 years of working, I've only had 3 employers, and I've been with one for 4 years. But here's what I've learned:
Loyalty in 2025 looks very different from loyalty in 1985.
In today's world of remote work and endless online opportunities, staying at a job that's not serving your growth is like using a flip phone because you feel bad about upgrading. It's okay to seek better opportunities, better pay, and better work environments. Loyalty is great, but it doesn't pay the bills.
Side note: okay, I guess this piece of advice makes sense if you’re really into a family business haha
5. "Love Is All You Need"
Really babes? In this economy?
Try telling that to a married couple fighting about money every single day.
Love is beautiful.
Love is necessary.
And love matters.
But a thriving, successful relationship needs way more than just love…it needs compatibility, respect, shared values, faith, financial stability, and a whole lot more.
6. "Money can’t buy happiness"
Sure, people can argue that technically, this phrase is true. But you know what money can REALLY buy?
Money can buy back time, convenience, safety, housing, FOOD!!!, comfort, and access to healthcare.
All these things lead to a much higher quality of living and better opportunities (whether professionally or personally). Now who wouldn’t be happy with those possibilities? Let’s not romanticize the lack of financial stability and security in 2025 please.
Here’s what actually makes things dangerous…
Navigating life as a young adult is complicated enough without following advice that might lead us down the wrong path. Another reason why I wanted to write this blog is to emphasize the dangers of blindly following every piece of advice we hear.
So moving forward, let’s opt to:
Question whether a piece of advice fits our current reality (not someone else's from 30 years ago)
Consider the source and their experience
Trust our gut when something doesn't feel right
Adapt advice when necessary
Remember that we don’t always have to do what we’re told
In a world where social media has everyone telling each other what to do and what to believe every 5 seconds…developing the wisdom to know which advice serves us and which doesn't is crucial. Embrace the fact that your journey is unique.
You get to decide which guidance to take and which to respectfully decline.
I’m curious though…what's the worst piece of "good advice" you've ever received? Drop it in the comments below. I'd love to hear your stories! 💭
