Axios Finish Line

February 22, 2023
Welcome back! Smart Brevity™ count: 569 words ... 2 mins.
1 big thing: Trove of generational wisdom, Part 1
Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios
Thank you to the hundreds of readers of all ages who sent their best pieces of advice to those navigating the decade right below them.
- This is the first installment of our two-day series on generational wisdom, featuring advice for readers in the first half of their lives, synthesized by Axios' Erica Pandey.
🤿 Let's dive in ...
From the 20s to the teens:
- "There are far fewer people concerned about how you look, sound and act than you think." –Sofia D., Des Moines
- "Find one big thing you are currently learning or doing. ... As a teen I wish I had something I was focused on and pursuing at the moment, like a project I'm doing or a book to read." –Yusuf S., Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
- "You are an extension of your environment. I realized after my teen years that I was usually happier and more productive with a clean room. I was usually more energetic when I was outside or with my friends. My world would feel small when I spent the day only looking at my phone." –Jace D., Seattle
From the 30s to the 20s:
- "First, spend 80% of your time doing things that fulfill you. Second, spend 20% of your time doing things that you need to do. Finally, spend 0% of your time on anything that fails to fit into the first two buckets. Life is too short to be wasted doing things that are unnecessary and drag you down." –Ken L., Detroit
- "Love your body. It's beautiful and it's going to change!" –Sadie E., Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- "Work hard, but find something that interests you outside of work and happy hour, whether it's travel, golf, running or photography." –Anne M., Charlotte, N.C.
From the 40s to the 30s:
- "As I'm about to turn 45 glorious years old, I'm learning to be okay with what feels like selfishness. I'm passionate about my nonprofit work, but not keeping this in check led to a serious burnout in my late 30s. Be equally selfless about your passions and selfish about taking care of you." –Juan C., New York City
- "Start learning to say 'no' now. ... I dare say it's one of the best things you can do for your overall well-being." –LeAnne H., Watkinsville, Ga.
From the 50s to the 40s:
- "Discover the world! Take big active vacations, like hiking and biking, while your knees and hips are working." –Jan A., Cincinnati
- "You are probably neck-deep with your career and your kids. Embrace the chaos, enjoy the ride, and remember you chose the roller coaster, not the ferris wheel, so laugh at every twist and turn." –Peter E., Laguna Beach, Calif.
Tune in tomorrow for life advice from — and for — the older decades!
🚀 Out-of-this-world map
This is a mosaic map of the moon, published in 1967 by the U.S. Air Force's Aeronautical Chart and Information Center, Finish Line reader David S. tells us. David met astronauts at fundraising events for a STEM education nonprofit he supports, and he's collected their signatures for his map.
- "I had one moonwalker from each Apollo mission mark an X where they landed and sign the map together with their mission number and the location on the moon."
- "Over on the left, Jim Lovell, commander of Apollo 13, wrote: 'Houston, we have a problem!'"
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