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By Lydia Patrick
Life & Trends Reporter
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A Reddit thread asking men over 30 what advice they would give to their younger selves has sparked a viral conversation.
The discussion, posted in the popular "AskReddit" subreddit by user u/BigShow786, asked: "Men who are 30+, what's one lesson every guy should learn early?" The post quickly gained traction, receiving 5,700 upvotes and an array of insightful, humorous and practical responses.
'Positive Masculinity'
Many were quick to offer pearls on wisdom regarding work as well as personal relationships.
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"Don't let people treat you poorly. Not your girlfriend, not your buddy, not your family," shared one user.
men who are 30 whats one lesson every guy should
r/AskReddit
"Your job probably takes up the most time of your life so if you hate your job, you'll hate your life," suggested another.
"I'm always looking for examples of positive masculinity. Owning up to your mistakes and finding wisdom in your experiences is about as manly as it gets. Right on brother," shared one Redditor.
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"Be kind, it's its own reward," said Chopper 3.
The Importance of Health
Another recurring theme in the thread was the importance of physical health, particularly back care.
"You're not indestructible. All the little injuries you pile up in your 20s and 30s will haunt you later," warned one Redditor. A
Another commenter, u/sobegreen, shared a cautionary tale: "At 24, I jumped off a two-story house to entertain people at a party. At 40, I feel like someone has taken a sledgehammer to my back. I'm not a detective, but I think these two things are connected."
"I didn't start working out until I was 32. I was 50lbs overweight and felt like crap. Working out and making it a part of your daily routine has such a massive domino effect over your entire life, physically, mentally, routine, work ethic, literally everything. This should be mandatory for everyone to start at a young age and develop good habits. This coupled with proper eating/cooking habits are paramount," shared u/bighundy, echoing the importance of regular exercise.
Learning To Become Financially Literate
Many Redditors emphasized the importance of financial planning, with one user advising: "Invest as much as possible and thank yourself later. Compounding interest is the 8th wonder of the world."
This comment resonated with many, earning hundreds of upvotes. Others stressed the importance of budgeting, saving early, and avoiding unnecessary debt.
One user humorously warned: "You're not as young as you think. Plan like you'll be old, because you will be." The sentiment behind these financial warnings reflects broader concerns about economic security, especially as younger generations navigate rising living costs and job market uncertainties.
"Ok but this is what I'm struggling with at the moment. I can't experience things and invest at the same time. Both cost money.
"So do I take that holiday? Go to that festival? Go on a nice date with that potential future partner? Or do I slog through two jobs and save and invest everything? Either way I'm going to regret something," asked user mister_thang.
Redditor u/JC_Hysteria advised young men to be mindful of their spending by avoiding unnecessary purchases while allowing themselves a balanced splurge on things they genuinely enjoy.
They emphasized the importance of saying "yes" to experiences but encouraged learning basic investing principles early and committing to them.
"Define any long-term goals you might have (job/house/partner/kids, etc.) and prioritize what you think you value most. You can realign things as you go along, too," he advised.
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