HOW TO BE COOL | a 10 step guide to becoming the COOLEST person you can be...

“10 Step Guide to Being the COOLEST Person You Can Be”

1) Learn how to be single (and stay self-sufficient)

• Be confident and genuinely comfortable being single—so you could end a relationship if it doesn’t fit.
• Don’t make your whole personality about the person/sex you’re attracted to.
• Prioritize fulfillment from your own life first; contentment shouldn’t depend on a partner.
• Practice self-growth for yourself (not “for your future boyfriend/partner”).

2) Get more authentically you by identifying what you genuinely love

• Learn “tiny specific things” you love without them being dictated by marketing or social media.
• Experiment widely (clothing styles, jewelry metals, patterns, art interests) to discover your preferences.
• Build an aesthetic and set of personal associations that anchor your identity.

3) Stop using ChatGPT / AI for creativity (per the speaker)

• Avoid using AI (specifically ChatGPT) to generate ideas, emails, assignments, or creative work.
• The claim is that relying on it is a “cop-out,” reduces creativity, and harms self-thinking.
• Suggested action: “Quit ChatGPT cold turkey” / delete it.

4) Treat music taste as a real part of your identity

• Actively seek music you experience, not just background noise.
• Discover new artists by:
  • Asking friends for their favorite album(s)
  • Listening to albums front-to-back (and deep diving)
  • Going from liked songs → to the artist → then picking a random album
  • Avoiding relying on TikTok/radio/top-100 as your only source
• The message: music shapes mood, behavior, and even style choices.

5) Be open (to people, experiences, compliments, love)

• Step outside your comfort zone by being open to:
  • New foods, new people, and new conversations
  • Compliments (giving and receiving)
  • New experiences overall
• Openness is framed as the path to growth and meeting better-fitting people.
• Example: the speaker visited Whistler and found the people there unexpectedly welcoming and diverse.

6) Put real effort into trying (and practicing hobbies)

• Cool people try—even if they fail or look awkward at first.
• Overcome fear of starting by remembering beginners aren’t judged by skilled people.
• “Hobby as a plant” metaphor: your hobby grows only if you consistently “water it” with time and attention.
• Examples:
  • Breanne: praised for dedicating time/energy to what she loves
  • Kenzie: learning to improve at crochet; making a “bang blanket”

7) Walk with confidence (head up, shoulders relaxed)

• Confidence is presented as a key ingredient of “cool.”
• Practical mindset changes:
  • Walk with your head up and eyes forward
  • Avoid self-humiliating jokes
  • Use “fake it till you make it” to build confidence
• The vibe: purposeful walking, lightness, and assurance.

8) Go out of your way to compliment others

• People remember how you make them feel, not just what you say.
• Complimenting is also framed as something that improves how you treat yourself over time.
• Example: the speaker works at a vintage store and receives compliments from well-dressed, “cool” customers.

9) Stay curious and “not okay with being stupid”

• Don’t accept ignorance; keep learning as much as possible.
• Keep learning muscles active through hobbies and deep curiosity.
• The coolest people are said to talk passionately about random topics because they didn’t kill their curiosity.

10) Don’t ask permission to be yourself

• Stop second-guessing your choices based on other people’s opinions.
• Examples given:
  • If you don’t ask what to wear, your outfits get more compliments
  • If you don’t ask if your music is liked, the results are better
  • If you don’t ask what to paint, your art improves
• Actions/attitude:
  • Don’t ask friends/family/partner what to do today—just choose what you feel like doing
  • Accept that the early phase may feel boring until you learn what you want
• The claim: authenticity attracts the right people and reduces “decision fatigue.”

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Notable locations, products, and named items

Locations

• Whistler (described as similar to the “Australia of Canada” comparison)

Products / objects (mentioned)

• chai latte
• record player + vinyl collection idea
• rings (wearing multiple rings as a fashion preference)

Named artists / songs (favorites mentioned)

• Jeff Buckley (“Grace” album): “Mojo Pin,” “So Real,” “Last Goodbye,” “Oh My God”
• Fleetwood Mac (older/pre-Stevie era; “Dreams”/“Silver Springs”/“Hypnotized” referenced)
• Radiohead (“Machina… Dora” mentioned; also “Just”)
• Alice in Chains (“Dirt” album): “Them Bones,” “Would”
• Olivia Dean: “Let Alone the One You Love”
• Red Hot Chili Peppers: “The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie”
• Sade: “Somebody Already Broke My Heart”
• The Rolling Stones: “Miss You”
• The Cure, Cocteau Twins: “The Sacred Souls”
• Imogen Heap, Peach Pit, Rihanna, Sabrina Carpenter

People (mentioned)

• Breanne, Kenzie (examples for hobby dedication and improvement)
• Sarah (speaker name referenced in dialogue)