True wisdom isn’t about following the perfect advice—it’s about choosing a path that feels right, even if it leads to unexpected lessons.
We live in a world saturated with advice. From eating habits to workout routines, from relationship strategies to career paths, there is an endless supply of opinions on how to live life “better.” Some of it is rooted in science, some in tradition, and much of it in personal experience. Yet, as we sift through this flood of information, we often face a critical question: how do we separate the meaningful from the misleading? And perhaps even more importantly, if it turned out to be wrong, would you still do it the same way?
This single question has become a cornerstone of my approach to life. It has reshaped how I view advice and how I align my actions with my own values and intuition.
The Overwhelming Sea of Opinions
In today’s digital age, advice is just a click away. One person tells you to follow a ketogenic diet for ultimate health, while another swears by plant-based eating. One guru promises success through hustle and grind, while another advocates for rest and balance. The contradictions can leave us paralyzed or, worse, chasing trends without finding what truly resonates with us.
The sheer volume of information isn’t the only issue; it’s the promise that each piece of advice is the “right” way to do things. But what happens when the “right” way isn’t right for you? What if the advice you’ve built your habits around is later disproved, or worse, leaves you feeling unfulfilled? Asking yourself if you’d still do it the same way, even if it were wrong, is a powerful way to reclaim your personal agency in a world of noise.
The Question as a Compass
This question has helped me identify what truly matters. When I consider a piece of advice, I now ask myself: “If this were proven wrong, would I still want to live this way?” This question forces me to look beyond the promises of results and focus on the process itself. Do I enjoy the journey? Does it align with my values? Does it make me feel good in the moment, or does it feel like a means to an end?
For example, when it comes to eating, I no longer follow rigid diets or obsess over trends. Instead, I focus on eating in a way that feels nourishing, enjoyable, and sustainable for me. If, down the line, someone tells me my choices weren’t the most “optimal,” I know I’ll still stand by them because they served me well in the moment.
This perspective extends beyond health. In relationships, I focus on showing up authentically and building connections based on mutual respect and joy, even if someone else might advise a different “strategy.” In work, I’ve stopped chasing external markers of success and started focusing on work that fulfills me—regardless of whether it’s seen as the “smart” career move.
The Freedom to Choose Your Own Path
When you live by this principle, you free yourself from the need to get everything “right.” You begin to trust your inner voice and make decisions that feel true to you, rather than chasing external validation or perfection. It’s liberating to realize that there isn’t one definitive way to live your life. Instead, there are countless ways, and the best one is the one that feels right for you.
Even if a piece of advice turns out to be flawed, you’ve gained something invaluable: the experience of living authentically and intentionally. You’ve learned what works for you, what brings you joy, and what aligns with your unique rhythm. That’s worth more than following a formula that guarantees results but leaves you disconnected from yourself.
Practical Steps to Navigate Advice
- Reflect on the Process: Before adopting any advice, ask yourself if you enjoy the process, not just the promised outcome. If the journey doesn’t bring you fulfillment, it’s unlikely to be sustainable.
- Check Alignment with Your Values: Does this advice align with your core values and beliefs? If it’s not in harmony with who you are, it may not be the right fit.
- Test and Adjust: Experiment with advice in small ways. See how it feels and adapt it to suit your needs. It’s okay to modify or abandon practices that don’t work for you.
- Trust Your Intuition: Your gut often knows what’s best for you. If something feels off, listen to that inner voice.
- Embrace Imperfection: Accept that no advice is foolproof. Allow yourself the grace to make mistakes and learn from them.
The Joy of Living Your Truth
At the end of the day, life is not about following the “right” advice; it’s about living in a way that feels meaningful to you. By asking yourself if you’d still make the same choices even if they were wrong, you give yourself the freedom to explore, grow, and thrive on your own terms. In a world full of noise, this question becomes your compass, guiding you toward a life that truly feels like your own. And that’s the kind of life worth living.
And while figuring out the way that suits you, I got your back.
