Why don’t people take advice?

We've all been there – watching someone heading straight into trouble, and we try to help by giving them advice. We mean well; we want to save them time, stress, or disappointment. Yet, more often than not, our advice is met with rejection, excuses, or even irritation. So why is it that people are so reluctant to take advice?

One of the main reasons is human ego. Admitting that we need help or that someone knows better than us can be difficult. Advice often feels more like criticism than support. People fear losing control over their own decisions and would sometimes rather make mistakes than acknowledge that someone else might be right.

Another reason is experience. Some lessons can only be truly learned through personal experience. Advice may have value, but living through something firsthand is often a much stronger teacher. That's why, even if we tell someone what they should or shouldn't do, they'll still make their own choice – and sometimes, that's how they learn best.

There's also the flip side. Sometimes, we give advice without being asked. In these moments, it's worth reflecting on whether we're genuinely helping or just projecting our own views and expectations onto others.

In the end, it's important to remember that everyone has their own journey. We can offer advice, but the decision is always theirs to make. And sometimes, the best advice is no advice at all – just being there when they need us.