I’m going to stop taking advice from miserable people.

Note that these aren’t the same thing as depressed people, even though there’s often overlap. My interpretation of “miserable” in this context is a chronic mindset that leaks out onto other people in a repeatedly draining or upsetting way, whereas depression is of course a mood disorder that can even plague people who make an effort to outwardly process struggles of themselves and loved ones through the lens of being uplifting and emotionally warm. Being miserable is a trap, overcoming it is a skill that leads to an improved quality of life. Overcoming miserableness can be a stepping stone to reducing or overcoming depression.

Miserable people tend to be bitter and critical, don’t do a ton to improve the stuff that’s shitty about their lives, and spend more time talking shit and telling others what they should do rather than actually doing anything interesting or meaningful themselves. They try to lead by criticism rather than example.

Some people are miserable after a rough patch, others are miserable as a personality trait.

Regardless, I am finding that they are not good sources of advice, no matter how wise they try to seem. I am choosing not to ask for (nor humor unsolicited) advice from miserable people, from here on out.