@uGogoOfficial is fast becoming a household name. From her candid opinions on the Morning Show to her on-point conversations and sage advice on Pap Culture, she has made her way onto our screens and into our hearts. Reminding us that with age comes wisdom and, despite the generational divide, there is a lot we can learn from our elders.
So here’s eight pieces of advice on life and happiness from South Africa’s favourite Gogo:
1.The secret to happiness is to love yourself first. It starts with you. The outside world can add but it cannot replace. No one else can fill that void, only you have that power. So be kind to yourself. Be comfortable in your own skin. Stop wishing you had longer legs, more curves or straighter hair. How are you going to change the world if you spend all your time putting yourself down? Put a stop to the self-criticism. You are perfect just the way you are. The sooner you realise that, the sooner your happiness will overflow.
2.Think carefully about who you let into your circle. Think about the kind of person you want to be and then surround yourself with those people. You truly are the company you keep so think carefully about who you associate yourself with.
3.If you have to dim your light so theirs can shine, walk away. Allowing negativity into your life and holding on to people who put you down is a choice. If they don’t bring positivity or add value to your life, they don’t deserve a place in it. Over the years, many people will enter your world, some for a reason, others for a season and the rare few for a lifetime, the trick is knowing who fits into which category.
4.Go after what you want and stop worrying so much about what others think. If it isn’t hurting anyone and it makes you happy then do it, in 30 years everyone will have moved on and you’ll only be left with regrets.
Image: Supplied
5.Everyone has an opinion but not everyone’s opinion matters. Be discerning. Understand the motive behind the opinion. If it’s coming from a pure heart and from someone who truly cares about you, listen and then quiet the noise to be able to make the decision that’s right for you. Filling your head with the opinions of others will drive you crazy, and leave no room for your own.
6.Be independent. Learn a set of skills that will help you stand on your own. The only constant in your life is you, so be strong and be independent. The power that comes with knowledge and continuous self-development is something no one can take away from you. The best thing you can invest in is yourself.
7.Commit to saving. Saving and tackling your debt starts with a choice to do so. It may seem overwhelming at first but you need to make the choice and then commit and it will eventually become a good habit. Planning for a rainy day and for your future is important and you need to see it as an investment in yourself. We often don’t think about it until it’s too late, so start early and your future self will thank you for it.
8.Live your life to the fullest because time is precious. This means always choosing to live your best possible life even when it seems like the difficult option. It won’t always be easy. Hardships and obstacles are inevitable. Don’t give up. One day you’ll look back and realise that those difficult chapters were the ones that prepared you for who you were always destined to be.
