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I No Longer Offer Advice to Friends Stuck in Our Pit of 40’s. Now, I [Just] Listen.

I learned to see the bigger picture

Aldric Chen
Change Your Mind Change Your Life
5 min readJan 14, 2025

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A guy posing for a camera shot.
Sometimes, the best thing to do is to be quiet. Photo by Ivana Cajina on Unsplash

I remember being an Economics private tutor 10 years ago.

It was a tough job. Only 10% of the young guns are interested in the material. Or demonstrate a breath of life during my articulation. Within that 10%, more than half are happy with a ‘C’.

The remaining 90% are rather forgettable.

I don’t disturb them when they snooze. I always told myself they are slogging hard to qualify for the National Juniors in their chosen sport. They need rest to do their best.

I hope they mention my name when they bring honor to the school and country.

Despite that 90% / 10% breakdown, [very] nearly 100% aren’t interested in my advice.

Study harder induces sleep. Read this is a mental slog. You have an exam in 2 weeks triggers a temporary psychological relief trip to the canteen.

I sighed.

That said… it was a blessing in disguise.

They say we live life in repeat… differently

I forgot who said this.

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Change Your Mind Change Your Life
Change Your Mind Change Your Life

Published in Change Your Mind Change Your Life

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Aldric Chen
Aldric Chen

Written by Aldric Chen

Singaporean. 24x Top Writer (as of June 2023). Eavesdropper. I capture interesting & uncomfortable real-life retirement / work-life stories the way they are.

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