You don't have to.

Anything really. No matter what your friends say, what your family says, you're not obligated to live your life in a way which is not comfortable for you. Or put yourself into situations you dislike just to please other's expectations.

Do it your way. Do your best to be a good person of course (according to whichever moral standard you hold). But do it your way.

Drink water.

So many odd physical conditions ended up being the result of dehydration and went away once I started drinking water throughout my day. I was in my 30s when I learned that one.

Many times the best way to respond to strong emotions is to just sit with it. Sit and do nothing but experience it. Don't try to "solve the problem", don't shove it down.

The idea of being a loser or winner in life, and that there is an objective consensus that could accurately rank your value as a person, is fake. People as a whole don't take the time to come to agreement on what matters, they don't understand each other, and you don't have a ranking, even theoretically. It's only in your imagination, so make an effort to cut some slack and imagine yourself in a kinder way.

Sometimes you just need a day or two where you don't do a damned thing and there should be no shame in it. Self-care is often described as things one can do, active things, verbs. Sometimes the compulsion to always be doing something is the crux of the problem

Stay fit and maintain lean muscle mass. You don't have to be a crazy fitness nutcase, just try to walk a few miles a day and do some kind of exercise to get your heart rate up 3 times a week or so. Try not to eat total crap, but honestly this matters a lot less than the first part. Be thankful that diminishing returns kick in really early here.

I'm in my mid-50s now. My friends and I are all getting old. Each year the chasm of difference in lifestyles between my fit friends and my unfit friends grows larger. At my age it's starting to feel bleak and grim. The older you get the more your fitness is going to affect your quality of life and happiness. In your 60s it's going to determine whether or not you are even mobile without assistance. Aging ain't fun for anyone, but it's fucking brutal and painful if you're out of shape and/or overweight.

The older you are, the harder it is get in shape. But it doesn't really get any harder to stay in shape once you're there. Don't put it off. If you don't move you're building towards a future where you can't.

Constant low level exposure to ads and commerce in general is bad for the soul. These voices aren't your friends, they don't have your best interests at heart.

Buy ad free services. If they don't provide ad free, go elsewhere.

Rediscover the joys of ad free, intelligent radio. Start with BBC World Service and BBC Radio 4. There are many others I'm sure.

That I'm autistic as fuck and no, I'm not angry, I'm overstimulated, understimulated, too cold, too hot, hungry, thirsty, I don't have my glasses on, or anything really.
So I'm learning to be kinder towards myself and go outside of my comfort zone every once in a while, but on my own terms.

Drink water. Move every day. Floss. Seriously floss mother fucker.

It's a bit abstract, but...

If something feels off or wrong, trust your instinct.

That drinking a lot in your early 20s needs to stop after college-ish or it quickly becomes too much. Easy to get addicted and also your body pretty much sucks at handling it after 24/5.

Also, if you have zero energy you’re probably depressed

Moisturizer will prevent a lot of face blemishes.

Hormone related acne changes aside, if don't have other skin / health issues and you're regularly changing your sheets and clothes, moisturizing will solve a lot of face stuff.

Dental floss, man. Dental floss.

Being outside for a little bit every day. The walk from the office to your car is not enough

Exercise matters for your mental health, not just looking good or longevity.

Spend time outdoors ... go camping or sleep outside for a night or two ... just unplug and be alone for a few hours or a few days. It does wonders to your mental health if you just remove yourself from everything and everyone once in a while.

Buying a GOOD computer chair. You don't know the pain you're causing yourself until you wake up with a sore lower back.

Don't hold in your shits

Also buy a bidet

Make sure your routine includes exercise (ideally strength and conditioning), the change in your quality of life cannot be overstated. Also you are much more useful to others

It took me 30 years to learn I've CPTSD.

a long hot bath is worth the time spent on it.

Don't take so seriously and you can never out exercise a bad diet.

That it’s okay to stop what I’m doing and take care of myself even if everyone else is doing fine. And that running yourself into the ground because you’re “supposed to” is going to fuck you up in the long run.

That last bit especially applies to running, my knee clicks an unreasonable amount now.

Bottom sheets are much comfier than a bare mattress