25 Fundamental Life Skills That Are Sorely Lacking In Society

Even though we live in a civilized society where even those with a less than average survival skillset can thrive, there are some basic skills that it's imperative to have in order to thrive. Now even though these are everyday skills that you would think everyone should know, sadly there is a massive gap in the skills essential for basic survival. Recently, our curious community members chose to discuss the one basic skill everyone should have even though it doesn't seem to be the case. Scroll below to read all the relatable answers about essential skills required to navigate life that aren't actually all that common.

#1

Know when to speak and when to shut up.

#2

Cognitive empathy and critical thinking.

#3

The ability to swim.

#4

Learn to repair simple things. Whether it's clothing or things around the house. Learn to use tools. A gasket to replace in a toilet tank is maybe $6.00 as oppose to calling a plumber wondering why your toilet won't flush or keeps running.

#5

How to do basic research and to distinguish legitimate sources of information from bad ones. How to sort out facts from propaganda.

#6

Seems to be a lost art, and honestly, I can’t remember the last time I did it, but everyone should be able to sew on a button.

#7

The ability to apologize, mean it and amend one's behaviors and words accordingly in the future.

#8

How to budget and save money.

#9

Patience and compassion. For pete's sake, slow down on the road. Stop shoving and respect the queue/line. Wait for someone to be out of your way before you decide to push through. Stop shouting at others for existing. You're likely just as much in the way of someone as someone is in the way of you.

#10

Rational thought and critical thinking.

#11

Listening skills.

#12

Ignoring social media, especially the fake world of insta and the absurd platform TikTok. Nothing good will ever come of it, as the last years have shown us. Younger people have lost the ability to be truly social, thinking a filtered and faked platform can somehow replace interaction with real beings.

#13

The basic skill of respecting other people. Not deferring, or agreeing, or bending the knee, just basic human respect. If you don't like or agree with their choices (like clothing, and religion), or non-choices (like race and sexual orientation/gender identity), then try either shutting up and letting them be, or trying to understand them, or maybe moving on to topics you do agree on? Hmm? Basic respect for other human beings?

#14

Oh and I will add one more 'common sense'......such a lack of it these days.

#15

Basic automotive maintenance: How to check your fluids, change a tire, etc. ...

#16

How to use a checking account. When I was a bank teller, I was kinda horrified by the amount of customers who had no idea how basic checking worked. They had no idea how to balance their checkbook. This was especially true of recent high school graduates. We always took the time to educate them. Just wondered why their parents never did. Actually had more than one customer who said, "I can't be out of money. I still have checks left."

#17

How to be kind.

#18

Politeness and an understanding of grammar and spelling...

#19

Patience. How to wait instead of "getting it all right now." Recognizing that wanting and needing are not the same. Working toward your goals.

#20

One basic skill everyone should have: knowing the difference between the words "your" and "you're", and between "their", "there", and "they're" and using them correctly when writing, especially when posting on social media. Incorrect usage indicates the poster is at least partially illiterate; credibility comes into question. I'm not a language expert, just an average U.S. person who received average U.S. public schooling, and that was sufficient for me to achieve a mastery of grammar and spelling, without even making a concerted effort to do so. Perhaps it just came as natural to me? I sure don't feel like I'm exceptional.

#21

Basic understanding of money management plus how to cook simple dishes.

#22

The ability to see flaws in themselves and be willing to try to change them to become a better person.

#23

First aid. Those first minutes can save a life!

#24

Cooking. Swimming. Basic blade safety and maintenance. Basic first aid.

#25

Computer basics. Even in a smartphone. As in here are your programs: how to make folders, how to delete things. The basics.