By Nahrizul Adib Kadri
I recently managed to finish reading Richard Templar’s 2010 non-fiction bestseller “The Rules of Life.” What I found particularly striking is that most, if not all, of his so-called rules are commonsensical. The simplicity of his advice, like “Accept What Is Done Is Done” and “Change What You Can Change; Let Go of the Rest,” resonates deeply with me not just because of its relatability, but also because it cuts through the noise of modern life complexity.
Perhaps what we need for our younger generation in preparing them for the uncertain future is to instill more commonsense. Not responsibility, not technical know-how—those are important, of course, but they are secondary to a foundation of basic, practical wisdom. Reassuring them that in our fast-paced, technologically driven world, simple and clear thinking is the way to go.
Commonsense teaches us to navigate life with a level head and a grounded perspective. It’s about making decisions that are practical and beneficial in the long run. For instance, one of Templar’s rules, “Keep It Under Your Hat,” advises discretion and thoughtfulness, reminding us that not every thought or emotion needs to be shared publicly. Not everything needs your reaction, says a poster that passed through my Instagram timeline the other day.
And this is especially relevant in an age where oversharing on social media can lead to unnecessary drama and conflict. According to a recent report by the Times of India in 2023, oversharing makes others uncomfortable, invades their privacy, invites unwarranted opinions and judgements, and negatively impacts your relationship. Constantly sharing intimate details about our relationship, personal life, or partner without their consent is simply inappropriate and diminishes trust. After all, relationship-related conflicts or issues should be addressed privately and respectfully.
But personally, which I believe is purely commonsensical, oversharing is damaging to us in two main ways. If you prioritize posting on social media over spending real, quality time with your loved ones, it can surely lead to feelings of neglect and distance. Also, oversharing can make you vulnerable to exploitation too. Sharing too many personal details allows others to use the information against you. Posting on social media where you live, or where you typically hang out, or how much money you have, surely will pique the interest of those unscrupulous ones.
Commonsense, no?
Another valuable rule from the book is “Look After Yourself.” This isn’t just about physical health, but also mental well-being. Commonsense dictates that we cannot pour from an empty cup; taking care of our own needs, be it mental or physical, ensures we are better equipped to help others.
According to a March 2024 article by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, taking care of our own physical and mental needs through self-care is essential for being able to effectively support and help others. This is because self-care improves our mental health, prevents burnout, enhances our capacity to help, and most importantly, prevents compassion fatigue.
When we neglect our own well-being, we become depleted physically and emotionally. This can lead to burnout, making it difficult to have the energy, patience and focus required to support others. Also, by replenishing ourselves through self-care, we are better able to listen, problem-solve and provide meaningful assistance to those who need our support. We have more to give when our own needs are met. And constantly giving to others without refueling ourselves can lead to compassion fatigue – a state of emotional, physical and mental exhaustion. Self-care helps us avoid this and maintain our ability to empathize.
I don’t know about you; but these are all commonsense, no?
By emphasizing commonsense, we teach our children to approach life with a balanced view, understanding that not everything needs to be complicated or overanalyzed. This approach encourages them to develop intuition and practical problem-solving skills that will serve them in all areas of life.
The Stoics, ancient philosophers known for their wisdom, also championed the value of simplicity. They believed that by focusing on what we can control and letting go of what we cannot, we lead a more peaceful life. By instilling these principles in our children, we are not only teaching them to navigate life with practicality and wisdom, but also to find tranquility and purpose through simplicity and clear thinking
So in our perpetual obligation of guiding the younger generation, let’s prioritize the teaching of commonsense. It’s a quality that fosters resilience, and practical wisdom, elements that are essential for navigating the complexities of our so-called modern life. Hopefully by doing so we can help build a future generation that is not only knowledgeable but also wise.
Commonsense? Yes.
The author is an associate professor of biomedical engineering, and former Director, Corporate Communications Centre, Universiti Malaya. He can be reached at nahrizuladib@um.edu.my. This article previously appeared on TwentyTwo13.