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News & Current Events Mar 25, 2026 at 5:59 AM

Bill &Ted's Excellent Adventure probably saved my life.

Posted by anonymous_muffin_

I have been pressed to the absolute edge lately and really have found life pointless. I'm so stressed about everything all the time, and literally everything I try to do is an absurd struggle. I'd seen Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure a handful of times before, but it didn't hit as hard as it did now. Drunk, stressed, planning for the end, the movie really showed me that it doesn't matter. I'm stressing myself out so much all the time when, in reality, I could be living a much easier life if I had lower standards for myself. I don't know what the future holds, but the fact is, there is still a lot more casual I could be taking this. I've been stressed for years because I'm not a jacked, wealthy genius yet before the age of 30. The reality is, I could be a laid-back guy playing air guitar with my friend and still be the same level of alive. Is it important for me to have bigger goals for myself? Absolutely. But, it's not the end of the world if I don't achieve everything to the extreme. It's about whether or not life was worth living. Legacy doesn't matter, our lives all end, it's only about whether or not you enjoyed the time you had.
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AllUltima Mar 25, 2026 +443
There's a reason Wyld Stallyns could be the foundation of an entire enlightened society. Listen to this dude Rufus. He knows what he's talking about.
443
Saltmetoast Mar 25, 2026 +90
💯 it is an integral part of my philosophy. It has taken me years to figure it out though... The moment came when my advice to someone was "be excellent to each other"
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SeveralAngryBears Mar 25, 2026 +17
"And party on dudes!"
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dreadpiraterobert Mar 25, 2026 +3
It is our family motto. ❤️
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snoogins355 Mar 25, 2026 +8
George Carlin was most excellent casting!
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geniusMonkey Mar 25, 2026 +5
“Yes way!”
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roto_disc Mar 25, 2026 +440
Dude. Be excellent to yourself. You got this.
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CheckYourStats Mar 25, 2026 +61
Also, some advice that was passed on to me during a difficult time: *”There are no answers at the bottom of a bottle.*” Take a month off from alcohol.
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Jensen010 Mar 25, 2026 +9
And social media
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AllegedlyGoodPerson Mar 25, 2026 +98
Your 20s will really f*** you up. You see that second digit getting bigger and bigger, closing in on 30 and it feels like tons of pressure, like you’re coming to some finality. You know what happens after 30? Nothing. The number resets. You’re back at zero again. There’s tons more life after that, and many people make their lives harder trying to accomplish what others tell you that you need to by 30. So they marry the wrong person, or push out a bunch of kids before they’re ready or financially stable, or they feel like giving up on life cause they haven’t found their way yet. Then the rest of their life is even harder because of the bad choices they made in their 20’s. My life didn’t start until after 30. I found all my success, my partner, a very lucrative career in a field I love, all after 30. Now I’m living the dream. Enjoy your 20s and your 30s and every day after that. It’s what life is all about. Station.
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RedditIsAwesome11 Mar 25, 2026 +15
I just turned 26 and have been freaking out about getting everything together. This is the longest period of time that I’ve went without smoking weed, I have a job interview in a new field today, and I’m also realizing how bad my credit/ lack of financial planning has been. All I have been thinking is how I wanna have it all straight before I’m 30. The stress and anxiety has now got me vaping like crazy. Regarding relationships, it feels like my confidence is at an all time low until I sort it all out. Thank you for this my friend. You are absolutely right.
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Schittz Mar 26, 2026 +1
If it helps, I was a huge stoner/alcoholic/LSD user until I nearly topped myself at 25, realised I just couldn't do it because my mum would be sad. I knocked everything on the head and learned guitar for 4 hours every night so I could get over the cravings, and by 27 I was finally clean and prepared to progress with my life. I'm now 34 and have my own business, my own house, a soon to be wife, the ability to play guitar and I've gone back to smoking weed but only a few times a week. Life has a habit of going up and down but there's no meaning or purpose, at least not one we know of, so just kick back and enjoy the ride, try hard sometimes and don't beat yourself up when you can't be bothered. It doesn't matter what you're doing as long as you're doing something
1
toometa4clever Mar 25, 2026 +12
True words. The current trend of speed running your life in your 20s and grinding is so much of a different feeling from when I was that age. Having a job, car, and not living with roommates was doing pretty good. Now it’s owning an exotic car, retiring early and traveling the world. It isn’t real, there may be some out there like that but most everyone is just getting by. The illusion isn’t worth the mental anguish to compare yourself to. Hard to get in that headspace when you’re bombarded by it every day but it is worth the effort.
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chone33 Mar 25, 2026 +2
So true. For me.
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TrashBandicoot91 Mar 25, 2026 +2
As someone in my mid-30s who just bought my first house and is about 4 years into my career, this made my morning a bit better. OP, I can back up everything this guy said. My wife and I just celebrated our first anniversary last year and while I'm still a generally stressed out person, the past couple years have been amazing for me.
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TapAdmirable5666 Mar 25, 2026 +3
Station!
3
FlipsGTS Mar 25, 2026 +57
Hey Buddy, good thing you got out the hole. Grats. If i could make a recommendation? Watch Ted Lasso. It changed my whole outlook on life and beeing positive.
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Arrbe Mar 25, 2026 +8
“Be a goldfish” is applicable in all aspects of life
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littlest_dragon Mar 25, 2026 +21
Not a movie. But. The „The Hitchhiker‘s Guide to the Galaxy“ omnibus definitely helped m through very dark patches in my early twenties. The realisation how completely absurd life, the universe and everything are and how pointless a search for meaning truly is helped me get through life until I was able to create a meaning for myself.
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mlledufarge Mar 25, 2026 +10
“Oh no. Not again.”
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NorthernFrosty Mar 25, 2026 +10
> The Hitchhiker‘s Guide to the Galaxy omnibus definitely helped m through very dark patches in my early twenties. If you take nothing else away from that book, it illustrates people sacrificing everything, years of life, wealth, etc. to discover the meaning of life. And then when they get the answer... They don't know what to do with it. Don't treat life as a puzzle to be solved. And of course the greatest bit of wisdom I found in the books: "*The major problem—one of the major problems, for there are several—one of the many major problems with governing people is that of whom you get to do it; or rather of who manages to get people to let them do it to them. To summarize: it is a well-known fact that those people who most want to rule people are, ipso facto, those least suited to do it. To summarize the summary: anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job*"
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littlest_dragon Mar 25, 2026 +3
Ideally like your takeaway from this! On a related note, I really loved „everything, everywhere, all at once“ because it also deals with meaninglessness of life in a very positive way. My takeaway from that movie was: when confronted with a meaningless life and an uncaring universe, choose kindness. I thought for a bit which my favourite quote from the Hitchhiker’s Guide was, but there are just too many. Yours is pretty good. And also has never been more true than today.
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Controller_one1 Mar 25, 2026 +16
Be excellent to each other. And... party on dudes! -Abraham Lincoln
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Party-0n-Dudes Mar 25, 2026 +11
This quote is most triumphant, so I made it my Reddit username. Words to live by. Party on dudes!
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krakenbeef Mar 25, 2026 +8
That soundtrack is epic. Big Pig for the absolute win!
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jordiewinter Mar 25, 2026 +9
69 dude!
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ohmygodthehorrors Mar 25, 2026 +12
Watch Fallen Angels (1995) if you want a random redditors life saver
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MiddlesbroughFan Mar 25, 2026 +7
In time everything will be alright
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ThreeLibras3 Mar 25, 2026 +1
Robbie Robb, what an absolute tune!
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DonKiddic Mar 25, 2026 +8
Bill & Ted [all the movies] are like my life inspiration on how to act/be in the world. I've had a "Be Excellent To Each Other" wallpaper on my phone for the last several years at this point.
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RooMan7223 Mar 25, 2026 +5
Knocking the drink will do wonders for you dude. I’ve been enjoying non-alcoholic beer because it still makes me feel included but doesn’t give me the scaries the next day. There’s a lot of good options now. But aside from that, the world is a better place with you in it.
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SmallRocks Mar 25, 2026 +9
Strange things are afoot at the Circle K for a lot of us man. Be excellent!
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TheThunderMaster Mar 25, 2026 +8
Yeah I’m just chasing the next experience. There’s a lot to see, a lot to do, and a lot to learn. Some things will be good and others will be bad, some things will seem consequential and others meaningless… but it can all be pretty interesting if you choose to frame it that way. Hang in there!
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mikesalami Mar 25, 2026 +7
If you really believe all this and have had a true shift in consciousness it's the most powerful anti-depressant there is. Self-acceptance (who you are without all the extra "stuff") is key.
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Mdh74266 Mar 25, 2026 +4
Aim for the moon, if you miss, you are still amongst the stars. Put that in your pipe and smoke it. On that note, you should try gummies not alcohol. Ctfo.
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GoblynToes Mar 25, 2026 +4
One of my fave movie, but definately my favourite soundtrack of any movie. "In Time" is such a beautiful song.
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No-Giraffe-5215 Mar 25, 2026 +3
In the end, everything will be okay! If everything’s not okay, it’s not yet the end! Hang in there, homie. I believe in you.
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friskevision Mar 25, 2026 +3
Dude, your post is inspiring. I’m so tired of trying so hard at my job. Others do much less and seem to be happier. Trying to find a balance of doing good work, while doing less. Thanks for the post, I’m glad you’re still here!
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jessterswan Mar 25, 2026 +3
Station
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internetlad Mar 25, 2026 +3
Be excellent to each other, and party on dudes 
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ersomething Mar 25, 2026 +3
All we are, is dust in the wind dude. DUST WIND DUDE
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Adorable_Ball_9333 Mar 25, 2026 +3
Life is more bearable and fun when you have a ride or die like Bill and Ted. It’s funny how they were supposed to be slackers but actually were really ambitious and kicked ass when they really needed to. Great movie! You gotta see it at least 69 times to really appreciate it.
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ohmygodthehorrors Mar 25, 2026 +4
Hope shit improves 😁
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soysaucesausage Mar 25, 2026 +5
In time you'll be dancing in the streets all night
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Naugrin27 Mar 25, 2026 +2
Lay off the booze, if you can. It's never helped with depression. Please be excellent to yourself.
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chelicerate-claws Mar 25, 2026 +2
This movie kept me alive when I was a teenager. Watching it over and over got me through a serious bout of depression.
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Hahattack Mar 25, 2026 +2
There is a group here in san diego that have reached similar conclusions. Their slogan is be excellent to each other and party on!
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rocopotomus74 Mar 25, 2026 +3
Woah!!!! You got the right message from that film at the exact time you needed it. Totally awesome dude. But seriously, remember that message. It will get you through dark days. ❤️
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Barry_Vigoda Mar 25, 2026 +2
What the? Reddit just banned my comment and gave me a warning for suggesting an old Bill Murray movie.
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Barry_Vigoda Mar 25, 2026 +1
[ Removed by Reddit ]
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senktimo Mar 25, 2026 +1
When you find yourself going through hell.... Keep going
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Remarkable-Pen-4926 Mar 25, 2026 +1
i feel you but with the third one. my favorite movie of 2021. didnt give a c*** about bill e ted but the hopecore of the movie was so revigorating for me that i ended up loving it
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batraymond Mar 25, 2026 +1
Just remember.. “Every rose has its thorn. Just like every night has its dawn. Just like every cowboy sings a sad, sad song”. Be excellent to each other!
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LoseYourIllusion1 Mar 25, 2026 +1
I have a “Be Excellent to Each Other” tattoo. So feel ya here.
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FourEightNineOneOne Mar 25, 2026 +1
"Be excellent to each other" is absolutely sage advice from this movie. But don't forget to be excellent to yourself along the way too. Glad to hear you're feeling better about yourself, my friend. San Dimas Highschool Football Rules!
1
sentient_saw Mar 25, 2026 +1
Many people don't have their shit together by thirty. I was *just* getting my career started at that age and my income slowly started to rise. I'm in my late forties now and I'm finally comfortable in life. Have some patience. Maybe check out Status Anxiety, by Alain de Botton. It was originally a book but a series was also produced for it: https://youtu.be/edX7hdpKdbQ?si=OSd0iV9C5L0np2KG
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Cocogasm Mar 25, 2026 +1
Great film series, wonderfully post-modern and philosophically healthy
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JodieFostersFist Mar 25, 2026 +1
You can only do one thing at a time. Everything moves in baby steps. Goals are good, but you’re right to not have huge expectations. Enjoy the small things and definitely pursue what you enjoy. And also, remember the trash can.
1
go_kart_mozart Mar 25, 2026 +1
Watch Office Space - I used to watch it all the time to ground myself in what really matters and the absurdity of the grind and external pressure.
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B01SSIN Mar 25, 2026 +1
Be excellent to each other.
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canadian_rockies Mar 25, 2026 +1
Consume more stuff from George Carlin. He'll help contextualize a lot of how "bad" things are now. They've been this "bad" for 50 years.  Life if the suffering we choose. Choose wisely. And don't worry, be happy ;)
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brevenbreven Mar 25, 2026 +1
people choosing to be excellent to each other in spite of life and hardship is wholesome as f***.
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Cyrshot Mar 25, 2026 +1
Check out the book, “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck.” It will help.
1
Expensive-Sentence66 Mar 25, 2026 +1
I was going through a bad time in my 20's, and oddly this film always took me out of it. A great movie to watch along with Time Bandits as a double header.
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joshliftsanddrums Mar 25, 2026 +1
You saved your own life. Please remember that ❤️
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lostinspaz Mar 25, 2026 +1
happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have
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wordsandwich Mar 25, 2026 +1
> I've been stressed for years because I'm not a jacked, wealthy genius yet before the age of 30 It's important to understand that rich people aren't better than the rest of us. That whole new money entrepreneur image is a complete fabrication propagated through the social media age. It was a really eye opening realization for me when I came to meet some multi-millionaire CEOs and found that they were neither the smartest or most jacked. In fact, the CEO I worked for was a clueless guy with a bachelor's degree. It was a turning point for me to realize that the grown-ups who run the world aren't the best and brightest and may have no more sense than I do--and frequently less. An executive job is merely the job of being an executive--not some kind of anointed position.
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alopgeek Mar 26, 2026 +1
Remember, be excellent to each other, and party on dude.
1
Justabuttonpusher Mar 26, 2026 +1
You only get one life. And it’s yours.
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ibarelyusethis87 Mar 26, 2026 +1
I can’t believe that is your stress. But to each their own. I guess I’m old now.
1
spline9 Mar 25, 2026
If you want some movie recommendations with similar themes, check out Office Space and Everything Everywhere All at Once if you haven't already. 🎸 🖨️ 🥯
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