10 Old-School Sayings People Today Should Really Still Be Taught, But Aren't
Galt Museum | Unsplash There was a time when certain old-school phrases were non-negotiable. Your grandmother said them at the dinner table. Your neighbor said them over the fence. Nobody explained why, but they expected you to absorb them and carry them forward. Somewhere along the way, we traded blunt, practical wisdom for motivational Instagram posts.
Some of the phrases on this list might sound familiar. Others might feel like something you haven't heard in years. But every single one of them carries a lesson that people today could genuinely benefit from if someone just took the time to teach them again.
Here are 10 old-school sayings people today should really still be taught, but aren't:
1. 'This, too, shall pass'
Your grandma has undoubtedly embroidered this phrase into your brain with her crocheting needles, but there’s a good reason! Think about it: every trial and tribulation you’ve faced at any given point in time has, in fact, passed. Suffering is only temporary. There is something healthier, heartier, and happier around the corner. Trust.
A study in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that people who remind themselves that what they're going through is temporary feel less distress and are able to cope with stress more effectively. The researchers call it "impermanence focus," but grandma just called it trust.
2. 'Treat others the way you want to be treated'
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The aforementioned string of words is so much more than some corny line from a self-help book on the clearance shelf at Barnes and Noble. In fact, it encompasses a fundamental law of life: the Law of Attraction.
Treating people in a gracious, kind manner is essentially exuding appreciation into the universe. This sense of goodness is in turn going to come back to you boomerang style one way or another.
Of course, it is crucial to be considerate of others no matter what the reward, but always remember that you reap what you sow. You’ve gotta put good in to get good out.
3. 'Don’t cry over spilled milk'
But really. Dwelling on things that you cannot control truly will not alter the outcome too much, for the milk has already been spilled. Instead of lamenting about things that you really cannot change, allow mishaps and wrongdoings to strengthen you.
Stop feeling badly for yourself now in order to better yourself now. There will always be more opportunities to perform better, to try harder, and to be nicer. Rather than complaining about yesterday, focus all of your energy on excelling in the future.
Once something has happened, the only thing it can do is teach you something about yourself and your path. According to psychic medium and life coach Kristine Carlson, "holding onto past mistakes can lead to stress" but learning from them and forgiving yourself lets you focus on what’s next.
4. 'It is what it is'
You know what? It really is what it is, no matter how you slice it. Need I say more? The only person who can make “it” something is you. You’re the only one in control of your life. So, either change your reality or play the cards you’ve been dealt. Dealer’s choice!
Radical acceptance, a core skill used in Dialectical Behavior Therapy developed by psychologist Marsha Linehan explains that it doesn't mean you like what's happening. It means you stop wasting energy fighting what you can't change so you can put that energy toward what you can.
5. 'Pretty is as pretty does'
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Sure, it’s great to look like a million bucks, but it’s how you act that ultimately defines your character. You can be gorgeous enough to stop traffic, but if you’re a terrible, life-ruining Regina George type, sooner or later your world will crumble beneath you.
Strive to be as beautiful on the inside as you are on the outside, and you’ll not only attract like-minded people, but you’ll maintain relationships with them as well.
6. 'Actions speak louder than words'
This is absolutely not just some silly explanation for why your boyfriend is being a jerk. It is, in fact, true in the case of all people, whether we’d like to admit it or not. Words are completely void of meaning unless they’re backed up by corresponding actions.
When there's a gap between what someone says and what they do, their behavior is the more reliable indicator of who they really are. A 2024 study found that behavioral strategies were more effective than verbal ones when it came to rebuilding broken trust.
7. 'Trust your instincts'
Trust your gut! If you walk into a room and feel your stomach churn based on the crowd present, chances are it wasn’t the sushi you just gorged on at lunch. Listen to your body and mind; they’re your two most tremendous gauges of what’s right and what’s wrong.
You cannot fight feelings, but you can use them to decipher your next actions. By the same token, if a situation feels comfortable, embrace it! Not all gut instincts are negative.
8. 'Know your worth'
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This is everything. Stop looking at it as a corny phrase to justify your high standards. Above all else, we must be our own best advocates and realize the full extent of our value as individuals.
Once you recognize how valuable you are, you’ll stop settling entirely, both in the personal and professional realms. Your greatness is infinite; don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
9. 'Learn from your mistakes'
Do not just skim over this segment, as you’re surely tempted to do! Please, actually attempt to learn from your wrongdoings. We all mess up. That is just the way life is. This way, when we do drop the ball, we can backtrack, recognize exactly where we dropped it, and pick it up again.
Stop doing the same not-so-great things, being filled with regret, and then complaining. Put the kibosh on that right now and do things better next time.
10. 'Count your blessings'
Observe the world around you. Watch the news, keep track of what’s happening near and far, and take at least one microscopic piece of your day to praise just how lucky you are.
No matter where you come from or what you believe in, thank the universe for all it has bestowed upon you. Not only will you feel fulfilled, but you’ll begin to attract more things to be grateful for. Keep track of all that you’re appreciative of and worship everything you’ve got. Life is good, fam.
Rebecca Goldansky is a writer and contributor to Unwritten whose work has been featured in Huffington Post, Edible Baja Arizona, and Knockout Magazine.
