Be suspicious of all advice, except for this advice: With the awesome coffee club, you'll drink better coffee that is also better for the world, because 100% of profits go to charity. awesomecoffeeclub.com -John
You know how it's sometimes said, that a quality of a good ruler is that they don't want to rule? I think that's part of why John's advice is so good. He is skeptical of giving it.
This weekend I went camping for the first time in several years and, because of your general influence in my life, I went ham on sunscreen for the first time. Regular reapplication, good coverage, caring a little about SPF, the whole deal. I'm currently 27 but I strongly suspect that one day I may not be 27 anymore. In all likelihood, future me thanks you. I don't know, I'm not him
I will take this advice if you can get it to Australia lol. I know not possible for freshness, so sadness :( I love all of yours and hanks videos and projects. you guys are doing what I wish to do someday. I've seen videos where you doubt yourselves plenty, so I'm here to also celebrate your work. keep up the good stuff, you're going to be a big part of history like the people you look up to. I can see it.
I read a tweet from someone who said she found her kid’s pocket full of confetti and the kid said it was “in case of emergencies,” and urgently needing confetti sounds like the best kind of emergency. I love the idea of keeping a celebratory beverage on hand just in case.
I start senior year of high school today. You and Hank have been with me since seventh grade, and have shaped who I am and how I navigate the world. I needed the advice today. I am going to make my future self happy and healthy and have good teeth! Thanks John :)
Oh my goodness this is so similar to my story too except I’ve already been going through my senior year. Good luck fellow soon-to-be graduate! I hope this year is wonderful for you😘
I love the optimism of having bubbly on hand in the event that something worth celebrating might occur. We truly never know when everything may suddenly start falling into place. 🥂
Sometime during the darker days of the pandemic (2020) I bought a bottle of champagne as a way to cheer myself up, and I was talking to the nice lady at the wine store about which bottle I should choose, and she asked if I had something to celebrate. And I just said "I hope so!" And her face lit up and she started to ask a follow-up question, and I realized she thought I meant I was expecting a promotion or a proposal or something, so I quickly added, "I mean, something good has to happen EVENTUALLY, right?"
I carry a streamer shooting party popper in my purse, just in case there's good news. Pulling it out when someone said it's their birthday, or a friend told me they got a new job, have been my finest moments.
Sparkling cider usually goes on sale during the holidays, and I always buy an extra bottle or two. The bottles rarely get opened on New Year's Eve; instead, there are those spontaneous moments where the day deserves something just a little extra special served in a fancy glass. After listening to John's advice, maybe I should open those bottles more often...
This reminds me of something I would like to confess: ~15 years ago, a house I bought contained some old notebooks from the 90's tucked away in the attic. They were journals written by a young woman struggling with weight, depression, and mental illness. At first I ignored them, but my curiosity got the better of me and eventually I read a couple of them. Man, those journals really allowed me to see through the eyes of someone else struggling with life, and it changed my whole perspective. I was mainly surprised how much I could relate to some of her entries even though I never went through most of her struggles. They were kinda life changing for me. Honestly, I still feel guilty having read them, but I gained more empathy from those notebooks than anything before. I never found out who the woman was, but I think about her often, and hope she is doing better today.
The books were left there for someone else to read and find in case they were also feeling alone or to maybe help this person who wrote them not feel so alone. So please don't feel guilt or shame for reading them they were put there for someone to read
@@dark_neverland true, I would burn my books if I didn’t want people to find them. But sometimes you just hide them to be found later… hopefully when you’re dead.
The other day I was really happy and I said out loud "I'm really happy right now!!" and it felt so GOOD. It made me even happier to realize I was having a moment of happiness. The next day was a very stressful one but I was able to remember that the day before I'd been happy, partly because I'd exclaimed it and thus made it more concrete, and that my life wasn't all grey and gloom. I really agree with you, John, about celebrating and noticing those moments.
My dad just finished his memoir. I guarantee that over the next 100 years, less than 50 people will have read it. I still believe, and I know he does too, that it was worth the years of effort. It has been an exercise in memory, self-reflection, understanding, and I know I will treasure it when he's gone.
I was an early 2000s nerdfighter, so I've been here for a while, and have changed a lot. I'm now a stay at home mom in my 30s, typing this while nursing my newborn with my toddler sitting on my feet. I cried my way through this video. Thanks John for reminding me I matter. It's hard to remember sometimes when I'm lost in living.
Please remember while parenting is very, very intense, it gets less intense and much more friendly and relaxing as they grow up. I am also mid 30s and have an actual adult child (18!) and a preteen. I am so glad I get to be my eldest’s friend, offer guidance as desired and watch them fly! And I am SO happy to see every little change in my preteen, how we have chats and think about problems together. Not every day will feel great, but every childhood can be great 💜
Marion! Today is the first day of school in my neighborhood, and for the first time in 13 years I didn't take a picture of my baby outside the front door in her first-day outfit -- because she's away at college now. I didn't cry during John's video but I'm crying now remembering the sweet suffering of those years of early childhood/motherhood, the moments of absurd joy watching my child discover her fingers, the moments of (s)heroism when she needed something and I realized *I* was the one who was going to figure it out and deliver, the moments of isolation and confusion and grief when I saw friends announce they'd gotten new jobs or landed book deals and I was like "I made lasagna last night, and it felt like a really big win," and I catch the scent of that on the breeze of your post and I just want to say hell yes Marion you matter, and motherhood matters, and that lost feeling means you exist and persist and that your story matters and also you have first days of school to look forward to and let me tell you they are AWESOME.
Oh Nerdfighter of Note! I promise you matter, not just as a Mum (though that's huge and awesome), but you - unique individual you. Whenever you get the chance to connect with pre-parent you, grab it - let your little ones grow up knowing who *you* are, not just Mum, but Marion, friend, confidant, teacher, cool awesome person who knows stuff and existed before they did, and still exists, and will exist when they fly the nest to their own unique adventures. It's going to be a ride, but you are going to be brilliant!!
"Literally everyone is worthy of note." That made me tear up, and then "You are an important presence on this planet, and a wondrous one," and "You are extraordinary and I advise you to remember that, without ever becoming, like, too self-satisfied" hit even harder. I guess I'm not doing as well mentally today as I thought, and I needed that. Thanks, John
That might be the best argument for flossing that I’ve ever heard… and the memoir thing! Getting to intimately know someone through her letters makes me wish she’d imagined herself as this interesting person beyond being a famous poet’s sister.
May I also add 2 bonus floss reasons... The plaque on teeth in ill hearts and the brains of Alzheimer's patients is basically the same stuff. There appears to be some early research that implies that maybe, just maybe, flossing and brushing teeth may increase your future heart and brain health. This is what got me flossing, may it help you too.😁
@@3countylaugh Sorry to be "that guy", but there's a slight correction to be made. It's true that mouth/teeth health seems important for heart health, and by extension brain health, but it's not because of any connection between tooth plaque and Alzheimer's plaque. The plaques that contribute to Alzheimer's are made of amyloid beta and tau proteins; the plaque on your teeth is made of food particles (mostly sugars and food protein), saliva, and bacteria. They're only both called "plaques" because they're abnormal deposits that grow over time. Dental health is important to overall health, especially heart health, because gum disease can weaken the gum tissue and make it easier for infections to get into your bloodstream. It's not about plaque; although if you have gum disease, the bacteria in the dental plaque can enter your system that way as well.
I would love to see someone contradict me, but I did some searching a while ago and couldn't find a convincing study about the efficacy of flossing when combined with brushing. My conclusion was it's just one of those things that seems like it should work but isn't actually that useful. I only floss when I feel like something is stuck in between a tooth and otherwise just rely on the dentist.
@@NinjaPtatoe I do find quite a lot of food particles between my teeth that the toothbrush doesn’t reach but don’t actually feel like something is stuck there. It also helps remove bits of hard tartar buildup which a toothbrush does not do. Though to be fair I have not been to the dentist in years so perhaps if you’re going more regularly it doesn’t really make much difference 🤷
A couple weeks ago, I was in the dentist chair, with a guy I hadn’t met cleaning my teeth. He asked me if I floss, and I said no. And then I proceeded to get into “how could you possibly convince me to floss?” and he didn’t have an answer. I knew there was nothing he could say to convince me that I should floss daily, when the consequences of not flossing hadn’t caught up to me yet. Well, thank you for your advice, because I think all I needed was the advice of someone I respected telling me to floss, and explaining why I should in the most beautiful way possible. By saying it’s about faith.
not just faith - also HOPE! you are hopeful while flossing that you are preventing future Elizabeth from the hardship of bad teeth. You’re hopeful that future Elizabeth will say aloud “thank you, younger Elizabeth for the teeth i, older Elizabeth, have today”
As someone who almost died twice last year due to my teeth, please floss and please take care of your teeth. I have permanent nerve damage in my face because I didn't take my dental hygiene seriously. Nothing quite compares to a dentist telling you that "if you eat something as hard as a carrot, you're likely to break your jaw." I was on soft featureless foods for 7 months total while I waited for my bone grafts to heal properly under the hope that I would be able to chew properly again. I've still got some issues with my remaining teeth, but we're hoping to have them taken care of in the next few months. I brush twice a day and floss every time I eat now.
This message today is surprisingly touching. When I was young, I imagined someone might someday want to read about my thoughts and experiences. Lately, as I find myself living alone, childless, and going through that weird process of middle age, which (especially for women) seems to involve dissolving into invisible irrelevancy, I find it increasingly difficult to imagine anyone will ever be interested in my life. Thanks, John. For this feeling of a glimmer of possibility, and for sharing your own experience with us over the years. Nerdfighteria has gotten me through some long stretches of isolation. 💕
Your life is as interesting as you are in your life, which is to say very interesting. I hope you can recognize that someone somewhere does take interest in your life. Keep an open mind and keep on doing what you're interested in and acknowledge yourself daily. Take care friend!
I might be oversimplifying things somewhat, but you just told me - a stranger on the internet - about a part of your lived experience, and I found it both interesting and helpful. Thank you so much for your openness about your situation.
"I urge you to please notice when you are happy, and exclaim or murmur or think at some point, 'If this isn't nice, I don't know what is." This is really going to help me solidify those happy moments in my memory. Thanks John
Celebrating small happinesses is one of the best things - you're absolutely right that without taking note of happiness, it's harder to remember those small moments.
Another note about memoirs: Even if you think other people won't care, do it for yourself. Writing about oneself may seem kind of self absorbed, but I have found it to be the most effective form of therapy for me. Last year for Camp NaNoWriMo, my writing project was 50,000 words of memoir. It was so much easier for me to spew out this much about me than it ever was to write a fictional story, and it was so cathartic. If you don't know where or how to start, just find a list of prompts and answer the questions as if you were interviewing yourself. You'll learn a lot about yourself.
I'm not super consistent with it, but I've been journaling on and off since about 2007. I'm super grateful to have those memories and how I was feeling during world events and events in my own life. Maybe in the far future someone else will get something out of those memories too. Appreciated all this advice! This was a wonderful video.
@@sheetmetalcards7987 No. Journaling is the practice of writing down your thoughts in the moment. It can include things that happen to you but most of the time, it's about your reaction to events. But journals are valuable as in reading what you are reacting to, you remember the event itself and it does give you context.
Im going to starting journaling in the upcoming year. I'm going to do a year of communication i think where i try to be a better communicator. And not just speaking but also listening and understanding too
As someone who's working in education, I know way more and way more different people from way more backgrounds than the average person. And I can indeed confirm, that every person I've ever met so far is extraordinary. In one way or another.
I had a, "This is really nice" moment yesterday while sitting in an inflatable pool with my entire family (husband and 3 kids aged 6, 3 and 1) and playing with the kids. It felt corny to acknowledge it in my brain, so thank you for validating that initial thought for me.
I’m a few weeks away from concluding what I’ve dubbed my “Year of Firsts” - the first of everything since my husband’s sudden death from a heart attack - and your words of advice/optimism brought a smile to my my heart. Thanks from an old fart. ❤️
That advice about memoirs is great! I'm currently writing my Masters dissertation on the rhetoric of women in Ptolemaic petitions. They are such fascinating snapshots into the lives of relatively normal women who happened to live over 2000 years ago. I wish I could know more about them like how badly scolded was Philista when Petechon poured hot water on her on the 28th of December 220BCE, what was she like as a person she comes across as a very forceful woman. I wonder about poor Nikaia who out lived both her husband and her son in 218BCE and was worried about being protected in her old age, I hope her brother in law was able to help. I hope Senchons was able to get her donkey back in time to move the bee hives to the pastures. I've seen such tiny snapshots of their lives and I so wish I could see more
Theoretically you might be a stranger to me, John, (or at the very least, I am definitely a stranger to you), but I’ve been here so long that your advice feels like that of a friend. Thank you.
I also don’t know anything about being 25 today. Because today I turned 26. It is absolutely the kind of day on which I require advice from a Green brother 😂
I love hearing your advice. Usually it is very applicable and it always makes me feel less alone in my experiences. Thanks for being a guiding presence in my life all these years ❤️
"And you were a presence full of light upon this earth, and I am a witness to your life and to its worth." Not sure if it was intentional or not, but I caught your Mountain Goats reference, John.
I would add, to the collaboration piece of advice, some advice I've seen: make friendly with people both older and younger than you. Everyone has wisdom and perspective that is valuable and if you only listen to people your age, you'll be poorer for it.
"I mean what the heck is even happening right now?" Haha. Same. But seriously, when you said every life is worth note... I started to cry. I know without a doubt I'm not the only one watching this who has to fight against demons of great strength every day who tell me the opposite of what you're saying. I'm not the only one who's every moment is a fight for my life. When strangers on the internet say to audiences of hundreds or thousands, "you matter, I love you, you're smart/special/doing a great job", I always roll my eyes. You don't know us, I think. But John and Hank have been with me since I was a tender teen, and hearing it from John is different, and no it isn't going to save my life but it's a little push in the back as I stumble along.
Lately one of my favorite smaller joys is clicking on a youtube video I've watched before and finding a comment from Me From The Past, right there at the top. It might be that no one else has seen it, but now I'm seeing it again. Very satisfying.
Hello, I am 24. This is all very good advice, thank you. I’ve actually thought about writing a memoir. Although I am young, I’ve done a lot of things and I’ve wanted to write all of my extraordinary experiences.
I appreciate your advice, John (and Hank). I haven't spoken to my family in two years because they are homophobic and I am gay, and this video feels like a small substitute for being able to sit beside my dad.
I'm sorry to hear about your biological family :( I hope you've found some chosen family who love you for the made-from-awesome, noteworthy person that you are. Sending rainbow love from Australia xx
I used to always watch VlogBrothers when I was 12-14, and then fell away from it. But now I’m 23 and John’s voice is just as comforting as it was back then. Glad to be back!
A couple years ago I moved back across the country, to the smallest town I've ever lived in, in a different part of the state that I grew up in (Minnesota). It's been really lovely being back, the town is small enough that it's not that suffocating middle range where conformity is placed above all else, and I'm getting to have a new phase of relationship with my dad and one of my aunts. I've been trying to notice moments when things are particularly good, like a get-together with people, or weather that I enjoy, and just capture the glow of it for later. This won't last, the weather and climate will change, more people will move to the Great Lakes area, I will outlive people, and I want bottled memories to revisit later (in the literal winter when I wish for a lovely autumn day, in the figurative winter when miss my grandparents, parents, aunts & uncles, etc).
I am immediately suspicious of your advice, John... That said, having fibromyalgia means I really REALLY feel you on celebrating goodness and happiness when it comes. This past Friday, I had energy and did stuff! It was great!
Never thought about the fact that reading connects us across time and space to multiple people. That thought also made me realize that every place you go is new. Like it may be the same building, but yesterday that building was in a different location on a universal scale.
I just turned 24; this video was really helpful. The pandemic was really hard on me. I was entering college (after spending a couple years on a religious mission) and suddenly everything was upside-down. I learned that I was gay, that God was okay with me being gay, and that I probably shouldn't go back to my religious college. Being stubborn, I returned to my religious college in 2021 only to be miserable for several months and have to drop out. Over the last year and a half, I have gone to a lot of therapy and struggled to hold down a job. I have also gained a lot of weight. Then I turned 24 and suddenly I was thinking about all the things my parents had done by the time they turned 24, how it was taking me longer than I ever imagined to complete school, and how even if I were to graduate soon I have no idea what's next. But I also realized that I am doing better than I have in years and I have felt ready to go back to school. I met with an academic advisor who said that I could graduate after two semesters. Then Biden announced that he would forgive up to $10,000 for most student loan borrowers. While I might still have to take out student loans to complete my bachelor's degree, I am very grateful that the $8,000 that I took out while attending my former school will be forgiven. I will be able to start my new college with a fresh start! Long story short, I appreciate the idea that everyone is worth remembering and that even the small victories are worth celebrating.
I started journaling about my life after a car accident I was in just before my 20th birthday. It has been over 12 years now and I still maintain it. It's been such a valuable tool for granting perspective & recollection of important (or silly nonsense) events with my friends / loved ones. I won't be having children, but I love the idea of having my memories live through whoever finds and reads my story. Thank you for this, John, and for all the other wisdom you've shared over the last 10 years or so I've been a part of Nerdfighteria.
these videos always leave a bittersweet taste, I’m far too cynical of my own existence to make use of any affirmations or positive influences, but it’s nice that videos like this are out there to help others.
God I need to hear more things like this right now, and probably always. I'm 30 rather than 25, but in the last 20 years I've had a lot of bad things happen to me. Not the worst things in world, but enough trauma that it put me in therapy and on medications. I'm trying to emerge into myself, make some kind of mark and catch up with a culture that often feels both totally unappealing and alienating and also the only game in town. Fortunately some light has existed, and one of the consistent sources have been Hank and John Green in various guises and roles, from teachers to fellow writer and scientist, and generally being human. So...thank you, for this video, the past videos and any more you guys care to create. 💜
These last six months have been the scariest of my life, mental illness and change catching me at every corner where I turn to breathe. I’ve been alienated by friendships I’ve worked very hard to cultivate, and I have loss my sense and feeling of belonging. It’s been hard to keep going these last few days, and then videos like this show up, thank you, thank you, thank you
in summary... 1. floss (and sunscreen) not for your present self, but for future you 2. write your memoir and tell the story of what it's like to be you 3. notice when you are happy and truly acknowledge it 4. remember that you are an important, wondrous, and extraordinary presence on this planet 5. collaborate more - it's how we make meaning together, solve shared problems, and overcome loneliness 6. think about where your attention is going and why thank you, John!! feels like I'm getting some great wisdom from a wise uncle. I feel especially inspired to start journaling more.
“I’m either inside of a body that is made of meat or I AM a body that is made of meat” It might interest you to know that philosopher Helmuth Plessner thought it was both! This is called the Korper/Leib distinction: having a body vs. being a body. I attempted to write my grad thesis on this topic and ended up dropping out (for which Plessner carries only partial responsibility)
I am beyond moved. You talking about caring for “future you” by flossing reminded of your Perspective video where you say, “You can’t know what an experience will mean to future you until you are future you.” That video brought me such peace and solace when I was in college, feeling internally chaotic constantly. I memorized it from watching it so much, and I turn to it when everything feels… unmanageable. This new video brought up the “me” who watched Perspective in 2013, in a sad nostalgic way. I now work in mental health services, treating patients with similar existential anxiety and suicidal thoughts. But I immediately felt soothed. To say we are a necessary presence on this planet… what a powerful statement. This video moved me in a way that I’ll definitely process in therapy this week. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for these videos.
I'm always grateful when you and Hank give us advice, and when others happen to add on. Speaking of, here's some more unsolicited advice: Slow down! The world we live in today asks that we see and do everything. I've found a lot more happiness in seeing and doing a smaller amount of things with a bit more investment.
Oh my goodness! For years my family also does this champagne on standby for good news and I’ve never heard anyone else do it before!! We popped so many consecutive bottles of bubbly when we all got vaccinated!! So glad to hear we’re not the only ones enjoying this tradition! 🍾
Hundreds of comments -- and rightly so. This is a beautiful and affirming video. Thank you! I feel good today. The sun is shining. I'm taking note of this excellent though my tears (from being move by this video). I often think I'm the most boring person I know, but I can still see the benefit of reflection and recording one's life experiences -- for myself if for no one else...
My advice as a viewer (an important wondrous presence, who is atleast worthy of some note, but someone you should be slightly suspicious of) : This is such a brilliant video and exactly what I needed It feels pleasantly vulnerable because we get to pay attention to what you pay attention to, as well. Thank you John! :)
I’m turning 25 on Sunday and this video feels tremendously relevant for me right now- your videos always seem to come right when I need them. I’ve been a nerdfighter since 2011 and y’all’s guidance has truly shepherded me through adolescence and into adulthood. So thank you.
Just yesterday I identified that putting together a team is one of my weakest skills, and this video has pointed out to me that it is probably one of the most valuable things I could possibly work on. Thank you as always
I'm a senior in college starting today and you guys have been with me since I was just an emerging teen. Thank you for being good, stabilizing sources of wisdom. I can't tell you how formative your various projects and books have been in my development as a learner and as a human. This feels like a great send off to class!
For me, last night was a moment of "if this isn't nice, I don't know what is." I was enjoying a drink after working at the local fair; I was enjoying the cool of the evening and taking in the sights and sounds of the last day of the fair. I felt so content, knowing that I had done a good job for the season and that this one moment was a time to relax and regroup.
Some of my favorite Vlogbrothers videos fall roughly into two categories: ones like this, in which John and/or Hank remark on how weird it is to be a person, and book recommendation videos, of which I’d love to see a history book-centric one.
I have watched y’all’s videos since middle school, I’m currently 23 and can’t thank you enough for helping me get this far. Y’all have been a soundtrack to incredibly difficult times and incredibly beautiful times. Popping a bottle of bubbly to celebrate :)
Mister John Green, I was flossing whilst watching this video and was elated when you advised to floss. This is a joyous personal victory indeed, and a reminder that this meat sack is doing something correctly... according to a writer halfway around the world anyway, but we take those victories!!
I cannot believe how desperately I needed some advice and how much I’m struggling to trust strangers to help me with my current problem, and that I have started to journal and videotape my life, and that I’ve recently started wearing sunscreen and that I’m 25 and how much I’m struggling to believe that I can do sth with my life. I just cannot believe that you just posted this video without even knowing that I exist and without knowing about the things I’m going through. I’m so thankful for finding out about vlogbrothers 4 years ago. Thank you John.
I... I think I maybe really needed to hear this today. My mental health hasn't been the best the past couple of days and this video may not be the perfect solution, but it helps. Thanks John, seriously.
I've started journalling recently. Keeping it up regularly is a struggle, but when I manage it, it makes so much of my life easier. It helps me get my thoughts in order, keep track of my ideas, work through my anxiety or my anger, and make plans
This is lovely. Thank you, John, for once again helping to make this old ladies day worthwhile. You are so appreciated and I'll bet your Mom's very proud.
"...the disease of loneliness..." is a framing and perspective that I hadn't heard before, and must now ruminate over. How very insightful. Many of us simply tolerate our diseases, of every kind. Now, I consider times in which I have tolerated my own loneliness, with the perspective that it was a disease, rather than a life-choice.
Good Morning John, I just tested positive for COVID today. I’m not sure what else to say about other than that I hope you and your family (and everyone reading this) are safe. Maybe I can get some writing done now that I’ll be in my room for the next week, give or take. Best wishes, Gabe
aw man that sucks. I had covid earlier this summer and it was difficult, I was isolated for 10 days. I reccomend trying to keep to a normal schedule and making a list of things to do, even if it's just a list of movies you'd like to watch or books you'd like to read. Hope you feel better & recover soon :)))
this video is so comforting and just what i needed. having a rough start to my first week at college as a freshman and feeling like a floating existence but this grounded me. thank you and im glad you're here too
This is all very good advice! My homeschooled teen has just finished their coursework so is graduating highschool and if it's ok with you I think I will show them this video for their "commencement speech", even though we're not having a ceremony. Nerdfighteria is one of the interests this kid and I share, we saw you on the TATWD tour, and now they are an aspiring novelist so I think they would enjoy hearing advice from you. Thanks for sharing your memoir-in-progress with us!
I've kept this on my Watch Later playlist on youtube even though I've already watched it a few times now. I think this will remain here because I've been going through a really hard time and every time I watch this video your words fill me with hope that I thought I no longer had. Thank you, John.
Appreciate putting the advice about attention being a precious resource at the end - I might have forgotten it otherwise! I cleared out my Watch Later list by about 90%!
This is the advice I needed now, thank you John. I started watching vlog brothers age 9. I’m 23 now, with two children and a couple of near death experiences under my belt and you and Hank have been a constant throughout all of it. Thank you
I started writing weekly reflections after I visited a friend in Washington D.C. in November of 2019. When I write new entries I always stumble upon a few older entries. It is wonderful to reflect for a little bit not just on my past week, but also times that were much further in the past. I can from experience second that advice!
This is great. You’re right that happy moments need to be celebrated. People often neglect those moments. They are the most important moments. Collaboration is also key to living happily - love it.
Thanks for that. That was a helpful reminder to me. Been struggling a lot with my mental health lately (doing the hard work to recover from complex trauma), and being told that I am worthy of note and that my voice and my story matters... it really helps. I needed that.
I (a nerdfighter of 9 years) watched this video today with my friend who is a new nerdfighter. Coming back now to watch again and write this comment. Thanks for everything over the years. Raising a glass to collaboration, to friendship, and to the miracle of human consciousness.
I have kept journals for years and have wondered whether to keep them or not. Your idea of writing a memoir is a good way to bridge that. A great project as I continue to go through cancer treatment. I have been shown how many people care for me, so I know some people would want to know how I lived. ETA that the idea of always being prepared to celebrate is the answer to the question I've been looking for as I've been struggling through chemo - how to find joy in the everyday? Maybe it's as simple as celebrating getting through the day and making a big deal of it.
This was so wholesome. I was grumpy and not sure I wanted to hear any advice, but your videos always turn out to be what I need. Thanks for being a human who helps other humans appreciate so many things and people in this life.
Be suspicious of all advice, except for this advice: With the awesome coffee club, you'll drink better coffee that is also better for the world, because 100% of profits go to charity. awesomecoffeeclub.com -John
You know how it's sometimes said, that a quality of a good ruler is that they don't want to rule? I think that's part of why John's advice is so good. He is skeptical of giving it.
This weekend I went camping for the first time in several years and, because of your general influence in my life, I went ham on sunscreen for the first time. Regular reapplication, good coverage, caring a little about SPF, the whole deal. I'm currently 27 but I strongly suspect that one day I may not be 27 anymore. In all likelihood, future me thanks you. I don't know, I'm not him
I will take this advice if you can get it to Australia lol. I know not possible for freshness, so sadness :(
I love all of yours and hanks videos and projects. you guys are doing what I wish to do someday. I've seen videos where you doubt yourselves plenty, so I'm here to also celebrate your work. keep up the good stuff, you're going to be a big part of history like the people you look up to. I can see it.
🤣
I'm watching this video while drinking Awesome Coffee Club coffee, can confirm that it's very good coffee
I read a tweet from someone who said she found her kid’s pocket full of confetti and the kid said it was “in case of emergencies,” and urgently needing confetti sounds like the best kind of emergency. I love the idea of keeping a celebratory beverage on hand just in case.
We received “Emergency googly eyes” as a gift for our son, and it was similarly great. Fun and sweet!
POCKET CONFETTI! Sha sha sha!
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That's why I have 30 balloons blown up and hung in my apartment. In case someone wants to have a party, we're already ahead of the game!
It’s nice to know I’m not the only one who doesn’t know how to person.
Same
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There are two types of people, those who are flying by the seat of their pants, and liars.
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I start senior year of high school today. You and Hank have been with me since seventh grade, and have shaped who I am and how I navigate the world. I needed the advice today. I am going to make my future self happy and healthy and have good teeth! Thanks John :)
Glad to have been on that journey with you. Hope you have an awesome senior year! -John
They've been with me since seventh grade too, except I'm 24 now. Seventh grade is a great time for nerds to get into Vlogbrothers haha
@@misteryA555 seventh grade is the dark forest so it’s nice to find some light
@@franzferdinand1782 that is brilliantly said... A dark forest we all pass through looking for just a little light. Thank you for this image.
Oh my goodness this is so similar to my story too except I’ve already been going through my senior year. Good luck fellow soon-to-be graduate! I hope this year is wonderful for you😘
I love the optimism of having bubbly on hand in the event that something worth celebrating might occur. We truly never know when everything may suddenly start falling into place. 🥂
Sometime during the darker days of the pandemic (2020) I bought a bottle of champagne as a way to cheer myself up, and I was talking to the nice lady at the wine store about which bottle I should choose, and she asked if I had something to celebrate. And I just said "I hope so!" And her face lit up and she started to ask a follow-up question, and I realized she thought I meant I was expecting a promotion or a proposal or something, so I quickly added, "I mean, something good has to happen EVENTUALLY, right?"
I carry a streamer shooting party popper in my purse, just in case there's good news. Pulling it out when someone said it's their birthday, or a friend told me they got a new job, have been my finest moments.
@@miriamlewis3413 I love this! I’m totally going to buy some now! We need more celebrating!
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Sparkling cider usually goes on sale during the holidays, and I always buy an extra bottle or two. The bottles rarely get opened on New Year's Eve; instead, there are those spontaneous moments where the day deserves something just a little extra special served in a fancy glass. After listening to John's advice, maybe I should open those bottles more often...
This reminds me of something I would like to confess: ~15 years ago, a house I bought contained some old notebooks from the 90's tucked away in the attic. They were journals written by a young woman struggling with weight, depression, and mental illness. At first I ignored them, but my curiosity got the better of me and eventually I read a couple of them. Man, those journals really allowed me to see through the eyes of someone else struggling with life, and it changed my whole perspective. I was mainly surprised how much I could relate to some of her entries even though I never went through most of her struggles. They were kinda life changing for me.
Honestly, I still feel guilty having read them, but I gained more empathy from those notebooks than anything before. I never found out who the woman was, but I think about her often, and hope she is doing better today.
Thank you for noticing and appreciating her writing and struggles.
The books were left there for someone else to read and find in case they were also feeling alone or to maybe help this person who wrote them not feel so alone. So please don't feel guilt or shame for reading them they were put there for someone to read
dont feel guilty! It was written to be read :)
Do you still have them? If so, I bet reddit can help you find the person!
@@dark_neverland true, I would burn my books if I didn’t want people to find them. But sometimes you just hide them to be found later… hopefully when you’re dead.
The other day I was really happy and I said out loud "I'm really happy right now!!" and it felt so GOOD. It made me even happier to realize I was having a moment of happiness. The next day was a very stressful one but I was able to remember that the day before I'd been happy, partly because I'd exclaimed it and thus made it more concrete, and that my life wasn't all grey and gloom. I really agree with you, John, about celebrating and noticing those moments.
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My dad just finished his memoir. I guarantee that over the next 100 years, less than 50 people will have read it. I still believe, and I know he does too, that it was worth the years of effort. It has been an exercise in memory, self-reflection, understanding, and I know I will treasure it when he's gone.
Beautiful, what an incredible gift
I'd like to read it
@@skimmertakesall Same really
@@skimmertakesall @IguessImight lol, when it's edited to Novel size instead of Novel/Family Record, I'll try to come back to this comment
I also want to write a memoir. In fact, I already have almost twenty chapters planned out in an outline. Heck, I started it already!
I was an early 2000s nerdfighter, so I've been here for a while, and have changed a lot. I'm now a stay at home mom in my 30s, typing this while nursing my newborn with my toddler sitting on my feet.
I cried my way through this video. Thanks John for reminding me I matter. It's hard to remember sometimes when I'm lost in living.
You and me both! ( I’m also an early 2000s nerdfighter, now a 30 year old mom to a six month old.)
❤️
Please remember while parenting is very, very intense, it gets less intense and much more friendly and relaxing as they grow up. I am also mid 30s and have an actual adult child (18!) and a preteen.
I am so glad I get to be my eldest’s friend, offer guidance as desired and watch them fly! And I am SO happy to see every little change in my preteen, how we have chats and think about problems together.
Not every day will feel great, but every childhood can be great 💜
Marion! Today is the first day of school in my neighborhood, and for the first time in 13 years I didn't take a picture of my baby outside the front door in her first-day outfit -- because she's away at college now. I didn't cry during John's video but I'm crying now remembering the sweet suffering of those years of early childhood/motherhood, the moments of absurd joy watching my child discover her fingers, the moments of (s)heroism when she needed something and I realized *I* was the one who was going to figure it out and deliver, the moments of isolation and confusion and grief when I saw friends announce they'd gotten new jobs or landed book deals and I was like "I made lasagna last night, and it felt like a really big win," and I catch the scent of that on the breeze of your post and I just want to say hell yes Marion you matter, and motherhood matters, and that lost feeling means you exist and persist and that your story matters and also you have first days of school to look forward to and let me tell you they are AWESOME.
Also started watching in like 2006 or '07 (when I was in high school!?!??!) And am now in my 30s with a 10 year old and a 3 year old.
Oh Nerdfighter of Note! I promise you matter, not just as a Mum (though that's huge and awesome), but you - unique individual you. Whenever you get the chance to connect with pre-parent you, grab it - let your little ones grow up knowing who *you* are, not just Mum, but Marion, friend, confidant, teacher, cool awesome person who knows stuff and existed before they did, and still exists, and will exist when they fly the nest to their own unique adventures. It's going to be a ride, but you are going to be brilliant!!
John, your advice is always welcome even though you are kind of a stranger ☺️
"Literally everyone is worthy of note." That made me tear up, and then "You are an important presence on this planet, and a wondrous one," and "You are extraordinary and I advise you to remember that, without ever becoming, like, too self-satisfied" hit even harder. I guess I'm not doing as well mentally today as I thought, and I needed that. Thanks, John
It’s that kind of message that makes watching “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” as an adult, worthwhile.
So cool, I teared up at the same spot.
I bet Mr. Rogers is looking down on him and smiling.
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That might be the best argument for flossing that I’ve ever heard… and the memoir thing! Getting to intimately know someone through her letters makes me wish she’d imagined herself as this interesting person beyond being a famous poet’s sister.
Also flossing the dance
May I also add 2 bonus floss reasons... The plaque on teeth in ill hearts and the brains of Alzheimer's patients is basically the same stuff. There appears to be some early research that implies that maybe, just maybe, flossing and brushing teeth may increase your future heart and brain health. This is what got me flossing, may it help you too.😁
@@3countylaugh Sorry to be "that guy", but there's a slight correction to be made. It's true that mouth/teeth health seems important for heart health, and by extension brain health, but it's not because of any connection between tooth plaque and Alzheimer's plaque. The plaques that contribute to Alzheimer's are made of amyloid beta and tau proteins; the plaque on your teeth is made of food particles (mostly sugars and food protein), saliva, and bacteria. They're only both called "plaques" because they're abnormal deposits that grow over time.
Dental health is important to overall health, especially heart health, because gum disease can weaken the gum tissue and make it easier for infections to get into your bloodstream. It's not about plaque; although if you have gum disease, the bacteria in the dental plaque can enter your system that way as well.
I would love to see someone contradict me, but I did some searching a while ago and couldn't find a convincing study about the efficacy of flossing when combined with brushing. My conclusion was it's just one of those things that seems like it should work but isn't actually that useful. I only floss when I feel like something is stuck in between a tooth and otherwise just rely on the dentist.
@@NinjaPtatoe I do find quite a lot of food particles between my teeth that the toothbrush doesn’t reach but don’t actually feel like something is stuck there. It also helps remove bits of hard tartar buildup which a toothbrush does not do.
Though to be fair I have not been to the dentist in years so perhaps if you’re going more regularly it doesn’t really make much difference 🤷
Literally everyone is worthy of note. Thank you, John. 🥰
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A couple weeks ago, I was in the dentist chair, with a guy I hadn’t met cleaning my teeth. He asked me if I floss, and I said no. And then I proceeded to get into “how could you possibly convince me to floss?” and he didn’t have an answer. I knew there was nothing he could say to convince me that I should floss daily, when the consequences of not flossing hadn’t caught up to me yet.
Well, thank you for your advice, because I think all I needed was the advice of someone I respected telling me to floss, and explaining why I should in the most beautiful way possible. By saying it’s about faith.
not just faith - also HOPE! you are hopeful while flossing that you are preventing future Elizabeth from the hardship of bad teeth. You’re hopeful that future Elizabeth will say aloud “thank you, younger Elizabeth for the teeth i, older Elizabeth, have today”
not flossing makes your breath smell bad
As someone who almost died twice last year due to my teeth, please floss and please take care of your teeth.
I have permanent nerve damage in my face because I didn't take my dental hygiene seriously.
Nothing quite compares to a dentist telling you that "if you eat something as hard as a carrot, you're likely to break your jaw."
I was on soft featureless foods for 7 months total while I waited for my bone grafts to heal properly under the hope that I would be able to chew properly again. I've still got some issues with my remaining teeth, but we're hoping to have them taken care of in the next few months.
I brush twice a day and floss every time I eat now.
@@Gormadt thank you for sharing your story. I hope you’re able to fully heal and sending you all the healing vibes for your dental health and more 💙
Use a water flosser it’s easier if your teeth are close together like mine
This message today is surprisingly touching. When I was young, I imagined someone might someday want to read about my thoughts and experiences. Lately, as I find myself living alone, childless, and going through that weird process of middle age, which (especially for women) seems to involve dissolving into invisible irrelevancy, I find it increasingly difficult to imagine anyone will ever be interested in my life. Thanks, John. For this feeling of a glimmer of possibility, and for sharing your own experience with us over the years. Nerdfighteria has gotten me through some long stretches of isolation. 💕
Your life is as interesting as you are in your life, which is to say very interesting. I hope you can recognize that someone somewhere does take interest in your life. Keep an open mind and keep on doing what you're interested in and acknowledge yourself daily. Take care friend!
'Surprisingly touching' is where John Green *lives*.
I might be oversimplifying things somewhat, but you just told me - a stranger on the internet - about a part of your lived experience, and I found it both interesting and helpful. Thank you so much for your openness about your situation.
Hi Sarah, sorry you feel alone often. I hope you know that you and your story are always welcome here. 34 and childfree myself.
Thanks for being in nerfighteria with us Sarah
"I urge you to please notice when you are happy, and exclaim or murmur or think at some point, 'If this isn't nice, I don't know what is." This is really going to help me solidify those happy moments in my memory. Thanks John
Celebrating small happinesses is one of the best things - you're absolutely right that without taking note of happiness, it's harder to remember those small moments.
“Literally everyone is worthy of note” made my eyes well up and now tears are rolling down my cheeks. More of this sentiment in the world, please.
Another note about memoirs: Even if you think other people won't care, do it for yourself. Writing about oneself may seem kind of self absorbed, but I have found it to be the most effective form of therapy for me. Last year for Camp NaNoWriMo, my writing project was 50,000 words of memoir. It was so much easier for me to spew out this much about me than it ever was to write a fictional story, and it was so cathartic. If you don't know where or how to start, just find a list of prompts and answer the questions as if you were interviewing yourself. You'll learn a lot about yourself.
I'm not super consistent with it, but I've been journaling on and off since about 2007. I'm super grateful to have those memories and how I was feeling during world events and events in my own life. Maybe in the far future someone else will get something out of those memories too.
Appreciated all this advice! This was a wonderful video.
Is journaling the same as writing a memoir?
@@sheetmetalcards7987 No. Journaling is the practice of writing down your thoughts in the moment. It can include things that happen to you but most of the time, it's about your reaction to events. But journals are valuable as in reading what you are reacting to, you remember the event itself and it does give you context.
Im going to starting journaling in the upcoming year. I'm going to do a year of communication i think where i try to be a better communicator. And not just speaking but also listening and understanding too
As someone who's working in education, I know way more and way more different people from way more backgrounds than the average person. And I can indeed confirm, that every person I've ever met so far is extraordinary. In one way or another.
I had a, "This is really nice" moment yesterday while sitting in an inflatable pool with my entire family (husband and 3 kids aged 6, 3 and 1) and playing with the kids. It felt corny to acknowledge it in my brain, so thank you for validating that initial thought for me.
I’m a few weeks away from concluding what I’ve dubbed my “Year of Firsts” - the first of everything since my husband’s sudden death from a heart attack - and your words of advice/optimism brought a smile to my my heart.
Thanks from an old fart. ❤️
John Green is like the father figure I wish my dad had been to me when I was growing up.
That advice about memoirs is great! I'm currently writing my Masters dissertation on the rhetoric of women in Ptolemaic petitions. They are such fascinating snapshots into the lives of relatively normal women who happened to live over 2000 years ago. I wish I could know more about them like how badly scolded was Philista when Petechon poured hot water on her on the 28th of December 220BCE, what was she like as a person she comes across as a very forceful woman. I wonder about poor Nikaia who out lived both her husband and her son in 218BCE and was worried about being protected in her old age, I hope her brother in law was able to help. I hope Senchons was able to get her donkey back in time to move the bee hives to the pastures. I've seen such tiny snapshots of their lives and I so wish I could see more
there’s a novel in those details
@@vanessapierson4913 yeah I kind of want to write it one day
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@@swordfish1929 Please do, this sounds so compelling and I'd never heard of these documents before today.
Would totally read this dissertation/short story collection
These videos are the reason why I've been a nerdfighter for 10 years.
I read this comment and was quietly impressed... then thought about it a bit more and realised it's been 10 years for me too!
Theoretically you might be a stranger to me, John, (or at the very least, I am definitely a stranger to you), but I’ve been here so long that your advice feels like that of a friend. Thank you.
I also don’t know anything about being 25 today. Because today I turned 26. It is absolutely the kind of day on which I require advice from a Green brother 😂
Same hat!
Happy birthday! I hope you got to celebrate with something fun/nice :)
“You are an important presence on this planet, and a wondrous one.”
Ah yes, the birthday cry. Ta, John 💕
Happy birthday!!
I turn 25 today! Happy birthday!
I love hearing your advice. Usually it is very applicable and it always makes me feel less alone in my experiences. Thanks for being a guiding presence in my life all these years ❤️
"And you were a presence full of light upon this earth, and I am a witness to your life and to its worth." Not sure if it was intentional or not, but I caught your Mountain Goats reference, John.
I would add, to the collaboration piece of advice, some advice I've seen: make friendly with people both older and younger than you. Everyone has wisdom and perspective that is valuable and if you only listen to people your age, you'll be poorer for it.
Doing things for "future me" is basically the thought that makes me do things and avoid procrastination
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Me too!
This felt like a hug that I didn't even know I needed.
"I mean what the heck is even happening right now?" Haha. Same. But seriously, when you said every life is worth note... I started to cry. I know without a doubt I'm not the only one watching this who has to fight against demons of great strength every day who tell me the opposite of what you're saying. I'm not the only one who's every moment is a fight for my life. When strangers on the internet say to audiences of hundreds or thousands, "you matter, I love you, you're smart/special/doing a great job", I always roll my eyes. You don't know us, I think. But John and Hank have been with me since I was a tender teen, and hearing it from John is different, and no it isn't going to save my life but it's a little push in the back as I stumble along.
Yeah. Every moment. Keep fighting.
This beats Baz Luhrman’s advice in “Everybody’s Free (to Wear Sunscreen)”! Well done, John!
“Literally everyone is worthy of note”
Yes!!!!!
Lately one of my favorite smaller joys is clicking on a youtube video I've watched before and finding a comment from Me From The Past, right there at the top. It might be that no one else has seen it, but now I'm seeing it again. Very satisfying.
Hello, I am 24. This is all very good advice, thank you. I’ve actually thought about writing a memoir. Although I am young, I’ve done a lot of things and I’ve wanted to write all of my extraordinary experiences.
I appreciate your advice, John (and Hank). I haven't spoken to my family in two years because they are homophobic and I am gay, and this video feels like a small substitute for being able to sit beside my dad.
I'm sorry to hear about your biological family :( I hope you've found some chosen family who love you for the made-from-awesome, noteworthy person that you are. Sending rainbow love from Australia xx
Sending you some love from Ithaca NY, and echoing the hope that you find chosen family.
@@mlemleh thank you for the kindness, hopefully this isn't forever
@@jamiedye6005 thank you for the kind words, I am lucky to have some good people close to me
I used to always watch VlogBrothers when I was 12-14, and then fell away from it. But now I’m 23 and John’s voice is just as comforting as it was back then. Glad to be back!
A couple years ago I moved back across the country, to the smallest town I've ever lived in, in a different part of the state that I grew up in (Minnesota). It's been really lovely being back, the town is small enough that it's not that suffocating middle range where conformity is placed above all else, and I'm getting to have a new phase of relationship with my dad and one of my aunts. I've been trying to notice moments when things are particularly good, like a get-together with people, or weather that I enjoy, and just capture the glow of it for later. This won't last, the weather and climate will change, more people will move to the Great Lakes area, I will outlive people, and I want bottled memories to revisit later (in the literal winter when I wish for a lovely autumn day, in the figurative winter when miss my grandparents, parents, aunts & uncles, etc).
I am immediately suspicious of your advice, John...
That said, having fibromyalgia means I really REALLY feel you on celebrating goodness and happiness when it comes. This past Friday, I had energy and did stuff! It was great!
Never thought about the fact that reading connects us across time and space to multiple people. That thought also made me realize that every place you go is new. Like it may be the same building, but yesterday that building was in a different location on a universal scale.
I just turned 24; this video was really helpful. The pandemic was really hard on me. I was entering college (after spending a couple years on a religious mission) and suddenly everything was upside-down. I learned that I was gay, that God was okay with me being gay, and that I probably shouldn't go back to my religious college. Being stubborn, I returned to my religious college in 2021 only to be miserable for several months and have to drop out. Over the last year and a half, I have gone to a lot of therapy and struggled to hold down a job. I have also gained a lot of weight. Then I turned 24 and suddenly I was thinking about all the things my parents had done by the time they turned 24, how it was taking me longer than I ever imagined to complete school, and how even if I were to graduate soon I have no idea what's next. But I also realized that I am doing better than I have in years and I have felt ready to go back to school. I met with an academic advisor who said that I could graduate after two semesters. Then Biden announced that he would forgive up to $10,000 for most student loan borrowers. While I might still have to take out student loans to complete my bachelor's degree, I am very grateful that the $8,000 that I took out while attending my former school will be forgiven. I will be able to start my new college with a fresh start!
Long story short, I appreciate the idea that everyone is worth remembering and that even the small victories are worth celebrating.
I started journaling about my life after a car accident I was in just before my 20th birthday. It has been over 12 years now and I still maintain it. It's been such a valuable tool for granting perspective & recollection of important (or silly nonsense) events with my friends / loved ones.
I won't be having children, but I love the idea of having my memories live through whoever finds and reads my story.
Thank you for this, John, and for all the other wisdom you've shared over the last 10 years or so I've been a part of Nerdfighteria.
these videos always leave a bittersweet taste, I’m far too cynical of my own existence to make use of any affirmations or positive influences, but it’s nice that videos like this are out there to help others.
Felt that.
God I need to hear more things like this right now, and probably always. I'm 30 rather than 25, but in the last 20 years I've had a lot of bad things happen to me. Not the worst things in world, but enough trauma that it put me in therapy and on medications. I'm trying to emerge into myself, make some kind of mark and catch up with a culture that often feels both totally unappealing and alienating and also the only game in town. Fortunately some light has existed, and one of the consistent sources have been Hank and John Green in various guises and roles, from teachers to fellow writer and scientist, and generally being human. So...thank you, for this video, the past videos and any more you guys care to create. 💜
It is that kind of culture. So keep on a path of your own making with all the wisdom you can find in stories,music and people.
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These last six months have been the scariest of my life, mental illness and change catching me at every corner where I turn to breathe. I’ve been alienated by friendships I’ve worked very hard to cultivate, and I have loss my sense and feeling of belonging. It’s been hard to keep going these last few days, and then videos like this show up, thank you, thank you, thank you
Optimism is pretty difficult when I'm currently dealing with losing my car, and what feels like the last option to save it has been abruptly undone
in summary...
1. floss (and sunscreen) not for your present self, but for future you
2. write your memoir and tell the story of what it's like to be you
3. notice when you are happy and truly acknowledge it
4. remember that you are an important, wondrous, and extraordinary presence on this planet
5. collaborate more - it's how we make meaning together, solve shared problems, and overcome loneliness
6. think about where your attention is going and why
thank you, John!! feels like I'm getting some great wisdom from a wise uncle. I feel especially inspired to start journaling more.
Thank for this John ❤️
Really needed it today.
This is why I love birthdays!! How amazing that the person made it through another year!! Aging is a gift
“I’m either inside of a body that is made of meat or I AM a body that is made of meat”
It might interest you to know that philosopher Helmuth Plessner thought it was both! This is called the Korper/Leib distinction: having a body vs. being a body. I attempted to write my grad thesis on this topic and ended up dropping out (for which Plessner carries only partial responsibility)
You are a brain piloting a Mech made of bone with meat armor…
…or maybe I’m a Boltzmann brain.
I am beyond moved. You talking about caring for “future you” by flossing reminded of your Perspective video where you say, “You can’t know what an experience will mean to future you until you are future you.” That video brought me such peace and solace when I was in college, feeling internally chaotic constantly. I memorized it from watching it so much, and I turn to it when everything feels… unmanageable.
This new video brought up the “me” who watched Perspective in 2013, in a sad nostalgic way. I now work in mental health services, treating patients with similar existential anxiety and suicidal thoughts. But I immediately felt soothed. To say we are a necessary presence on this planet… what a powerful statement. This video moved me in a way that I’ll definitely process in therapy this week. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for these videos.
thank you for reminding me that life goes on, even on days where i feel like today is never-ending ❤️
The thought of John (or anyone) keeping champagne/sparkling grape juice on hand for celebrating his or family members’ accomplishments is so nice.
I'm always grateful when you and Hank give us advice, and when others happen to add on. Speaking of, here's some more unsolicited advice: Slow down! The world we live in today asks that we see and do everything. I've found a lot more happiness in seeing and doing a smaller amount of things with a bit more investment.
I was taken aback by the advice to floss my teeth, and I can't believe you made tooth flossing into a beautiful, well thought out message
Oh my goodness! For years my family also does this champagne on standby for good news and I’ve never heard anyone else do it before!! We popped so many consecutive bottles of bubbly when we all got vaccinated!! So glad to hear we’re not the only ones enjoying this tradition! 🍾
Hundreds of comments -- and rightly so. This is a beautiful and affirming video. Thank you! I feel good today. The sun is shining. I'm taking note of this excellent though my tears (from being move by this video). I often think I'm the most boring person I know, but I can still see the benefit of reflection and recording one's life experiences -- for myself if for no one else...
My advice as a viewer (an important wondrous presence, who is atleast worthy of some note, but someone you should be slightly suspicious of) : This is such a brilliant video and exactly what I needed
It feels pleasantly vulnerable because we get to pay attention to what you pay attention to, as well. Thank you John! :)
I’m turning 25 on Sunday and this video feels tremendously relevant for me right now- your videos always seem to come right when I need them. I’ve been a nerdfighter since 2011 and y’all’s guidance has truly shepherded me through adolescence and into adulthood. So thank you.
Just yesterday I identified that putting together a team is one of my weakest skills, and this video has pointed out to me that it is probably one of the most valuable things I could possibly work on. Thank you as always
I'm a senior in college starting today and you guys have been with me since I was just an emerging teen. Thank you for being good, stabilizing sources of wisdom. I can't tell you how formative your various projects and books have been in my development as a learner and as a human. This feels like a great send off to class!
For me, last night was a moment of "if this isn't nice, I don't know what is." I was enjoying a drink after working at the local fair; I was enjoying the cool of the evening and taking in the sights and sounds of the last day of the fair. I felt so content, knowing that I had done a good job for the season and that this one moment was a time to relax and regroup.
i’m 25 and i started watching vlogbrothers when i was 13. your advice is so valuable to me john
Some of my favorite Vlogbrothers videos fall roughly into two categories: ones like this, in which John and/or Hank remark on how weird it is to be a person, and book recommendation videos, of which I’d love to see a history book-centric one.
I have watched y’all’s videos since middle school, I’m currently 23 and can’t thank you enough for helping me get this far. Y’all have been a soundtrack to incredibly difficult times and incredibly beautiful times. Popping a bottle of bubbly to celebrate :)
Hope everyone’s doing good today!
thanks! I'm doing okay :) I hope you are good too!
Thank you, I can almost always use a reminder to notice the moments that are nice and when I am happy.
Mister John Green, I was flossing whilst watching this video and was elated when you advised to floss. This is a joyous personal victory indeed, and a reminder that this meat sack is doing something correctly... according to a writer halfway around the world anyway, but we take those victories!!
I cannot believe how desperately I needed some advice and how much I’m struggling to trust strangers to help me with my current problem, and that I have started to journal and videotape my life, and that I’ve recently started wearing sunscreen and that I’m 25 and how much I’m struggling to believe that I can do sth with my life. I just cannot believe that you just posted this video without even knowing that I exist and without knowing about the things I’m going through. I’m so thankful for finding out about vlogbrothers 4 years ago. Thank you John.
Hi John, I turn 25 today. Even though the video is not for me, it felt like it was! Thanks :)
Happy Birthday!!! -John
I'll fully admit that I'm wildly emotional right now, but this video was what I needed to hear today, and it made me cry. Thankyou John
I... I think I maybe really needed to hear this today. My mental health hasn't been the best the past couple of days and this video may not be the perfect solution, but it helps. Thanks John, seriously.
I've started journalling recently. Keeping it up regularly is a struggle, but when I manage it, it makes so much of my life easier. It helps me get my thoughts in order, keep track of my ideas, work through my anxiety or my anger, and make plans
This has inspired me to go to my local dollar store and buy a pack of party poppers to keep on hand - just in case.
This is lovely. Thank you, John, for once again helping to make this old ladies day worthwhile. You are so appreciated and I'll bet your Mom's very proud.
I have my first job interview tomorrow and was just thinking how I would love some advice. Thanks for caring about us enough to share this
good luck with the interview!
@@emptythecan3793 thanks sm!
"...the disease of loneliness..." is a framing and perspective that I hadn't heard before, and must now ruminate over. How very insightful. Many of us simply tolerate our diseases, of every kind. Now, I consider times in which I have tolerated my own loneliness, with the perspective that it was a disease, rather than a life-choice.
"Literally everyone is worthy of note." - John Green. Thank you, John. I needed to hear this today.
Good Morning John, I just tested positive for COVID today. I’m not sure what else to say about other than that I hope you and your family (and everyone reading this) are safe. Maybe I can get some writing done now that I’ll be in my room for the next week, give or take.
Best wishes,
Gabe
aw man that sucks. I had covid earlier this summer and it was difficult, I was isolated for 10 days. I reccomend trying to keep to a normal schedule and making a list of things to do, even if it's just a list of movies you'd like to watch or books you'd like to read. Hope you feel better & recover soon :)))
I hope you heal quickly & thoroughly, Gabe! Take good care with yourself! 💜
this video is so comforting and just what i needed. having a rough start to my first week at college as a freshman and feeling like a floating existence but this grounded me. thank you and im glad you're here too
This is all very good advice! My homeschooled teen has just finished their coursework so is graduating highschool and if it's ok with you I think I will show them this video for their "commencement speech", even though we're not having a ceremony. Nerdfighteria is one of the interests this kid and I share, we saw you on the TATWD tour, and now they are an aspiring novelist so I think they would enjoy hearing advice from you. Thanks for sharing your memoir-in-progress with us!
I've kept this on my Watch Later playlist on youtube even though I've already watched it a few times now. I think this will remain here because I've been going through a really hard time and every time I watch this video your words fill me with hope that I thought I no longer had. Thank you, John.
Appreciate putting the advice about attention being a precious resource at the end - I might have forgotten it otherwise!
I cleared out my Watch Later list by about 90%!
This is the advice I needed now, thank you John. I started watching vlog brothers age 9. I’m 23 now, with two children and a couple of near death experiences under my belt and you and Hank have been a constant throughout all of it. Thank you
ok fine, i'll write my memoirs!
I started writing weekly reflections after I visited a friend in Washington D.C. in November of 2019. When I write new entries I always stumble upon a few older entries. It is wonderful to reflect for a little bit not just on my past week, but also times that were much further in the past. I can from experience second that advice!
Unsolicited advice? Ew.
Oh wait, it's from John. I'll shut up and listen.
This is great. You’re right that happy moments need to be celebrated. People often neglect those moments. They are the most important moments. Collaboration is also key to living happily - love it.
If this video wasn't nice, I don't know what is ❤🧡💛💚💙💜
I have never considered my self noteworthy. I didn’t think that anyone wanted to know about me. Thank you for challenging that
Great advice
Thanks for that. That was a helpful reminder to me. Been struggling a lot with my mental health lately (doing the hard work to recover from complex trauma), and being told that I am worthy of note and that my voice and my story matters... it really helps. I needed that.
Some advice: "Write proper title for a video."
I (a nerdfighter of 9 years) watched this video today with my friend who is a new nerdfighter. Coming back now to watch again and write this comment. Thanks for everything over the years. Raising a glass to collaboration, to friendship, and to the miracle of human consciousness.
I have kept journals for years and have wondered whether to keep them or not. Your idea of writing a memoir is a good way to bridge that. A great project as I continue to go through cancer treatment. I have been shown how many people care for me, so I know some people would want to know how I lived.
ETA that the idea of always being prepared to celebrate is the answer to the question I've been looking for as I've been struggling through chemo - how to find joy in the everyday? Maybe it's as simple as celebrating getting through the day and making a big deal of it.
i like the idea of having some kind of "end of day" celebration:)
How are you so consistently thoughtful? It is a gift you share with all of us. Thank you 🥰
This was so wholesome. I was grumpy and not sure I wanted to hear any advice, but your videos always turn out to be what I need. Thanks for being a human who helps other humans appreciate so many things and people in this life.