In a graffitied and nondescript lowrise in London’s East End, there are a lot of extraordinary things happening.

Auto Art Behind the Unmarked Double Doors

Behind unmarked double doors, you can find Benedict Radcliffe transforming plain old mild steel rod into four-wheeled, three-dimensional pieces of ethereal art. Bending, welding, cutting, and painting to create fluorescent sculptures that can widen your eyes and baffle your brain.

While studying at Glasgow’s Mackintosh School of Architecture, Benedict Radcliffe was trained in welding and fabrication by Andy Scott, who is a creator of a 30m horse head sculpture ‘The Kelpies’ that towers over the M9 motorway and the ‘Heavy Horse’ wireframe that is placed on the M8 motorway. After his graduation in 2004, he created ‘Modern Japanese Classic’ – the Impreza wireframe. Because it was too large to fit inside the venue, it was placed, or more like ‘parked,’ on the street outside. With that piece of art, his signature style was born.

Photoshop Drawing, Dragged and Dropped on the Street

You might well have seen some of the automotive specters that are made by Radcliffe: a brilliant white Subaru Impreza P1, a bright orange Lamborghini Countach, or a neon pink Range Rover Evoque. Each one of them was seemingly drawn in Adobe Photoshop and dropped onto a street scene. The main difference is that they are, in fact, genuine. In Heathrow’s Terminal 2, you may well have spotted a London taxi that can genuinely turn many heads – an orange Austin Fx4 that is commissioned by the airport. It represents modern Britain. All are instantly recognizable cars, distilled into full-scale, minimalist wireframes.

Radcliffe’s studio, just off Brick Lane, is dominated by a central ‘datum table,’ where he builds his wireframe cars. The walls are lined with a huge bicycle frame. This is how a 1:1 wireframe Honda Gold Wing motorcycle was created and displayed in the V&A Museum in 2012 and full-scale blueprints of his next project – a Ferrari F40.

We have all had it happen. A friend, family member, or coworker spouts advice or platitudes that seem to be useless in an effort to help us out, but later on, we realize that the useless advice actually makes sense. Sometimes, these are just little phrases that are meant to inspire, and sometimes, they are long dissertations meant to make us think. Either way, the realization that they actually do work can not only have an impact on your life, but make you chuckle, as well. That is why we have gathered together 40+ pieces of advice that just didn’t seem to be relevant at the time but turned out to be a lifesaver later on.

Just like when you say negative, mean things about people behind their back, compliments will find their way to whomever you are talking about. This is not only a good way to keep the peace and make you feel good, but it can make somebody’s day.

Then, there is always the fact that some people are uncomfortable hearing a compliment straight to their face. This may be a way for them to get a little ego boost without feeling weird.

When you are young and just starting out, a lot of the advice your elderly family members spout may just seem like a bunch of bunk. When you think about this little tidbit, though, it certainly does make a lot of sense.

Plus, by adhering to this advice, you may be able to save a little money, and that isn’t all bad. By waiting to spend the big bucks on anything until you are sure you’ll use it, you may leave money laying around for the things in life you really want.

This seems a little harsh when you think about it. Basically, this piece of advice is saying that when things go wrong, you get to gain experience (aka learn a lesson). When you are trying to plan out anything, this is the last thing you want to think about.

However, it is true. Many people say that losing or failing gives you more knowledge than succeeding. After a few failures, most of us figure this out, but when we first get the advice, we think it’s a load of…well, you know what.

No matter how these words of wisdom are relayed to you, it seems a little pessimistic. However, it is true. No matter how bad one day is, you can always start fresh the next day.

Once you understand that this basically means you can’t dwell in the past, you will see that the advice is not as useless as you may think. Along with this realization, you may find the sentiment becoming very comfortable and almost inspiring.

Don’t be afraid to raise your hand if that suitcase from your trip two weeks ago is still sitting unpacked in the corner of your room. This happens to all of us, so when we hear this piece of advice, it seems crazy.

Why can’t we just pull stuff out as we need it? However, unpacking the minute you get into the building is more about learning not to procrastinate than the unpacking itself.

Smiling has been proven to release dopamine in the human body, which is known as the happy chemical. Not only does smiling make others feel better, it can also boost your spirit, as well. This, in turn, leads to more smiling, and one amazing circle is created.

If a person is happy, they are more friendly and open to any suggestions you make. Though this seems like a greeting card, it is a very valid piece of advice.

Sometimes, our minds need a little trickery to make the decisions that we know we should. That is why, at first glance, this advice seems like a waste of the giver’s breath, but if you think about it, you are creating a cure for your mind to associate with making a decision.

Once your mind is trained, you may not even need to actually do the flip. Just pick up the coin. Eventually, that will fall to the wayside, as well, and you will learn to just go with your gut.

Sleeping every now and then is not bad, but when it happens all the time, it can throw your body cycle out of whack. When you hear this advice, you may be like, “heck, no!” It is actually a good idea, though.

After all, you want your body to continue performing all its duties. If it doesn’t, you may end up with some health concerns, as well as being very tired or late for things that you shouldn’t be late for.

Procrastination is a curse that many people across the world suffer from when they are creative. Along with procrastination comes over-analysis, and this may give the writer a form of paralysis.

However, this advice could be just the thing to get them on the path to actually writing that novel they have had bouncing around in their minds for years. Put pen to paper and write. After all, that is what makes a writer a writer.

Fear of getting rejected is one that almost every human on this planet has had to deal with in their lifetime. Many people just decided to not ask. After all, if you don’t ask, there is no chance of hearing the word “No”.

However, the advice to ask even though it seems counter-intuitive actually turns out to be a good one for most of us. If it stops you from hearing no, it also stops you from hearing yes.

Financial concerns trouble a lot of people, especially when just setting out on their own, so when a parent gives this suggestion of a system, it seems a little weird. Most of us get the bill portion, but feel the other two should be switched.

However, we all quickly learn that if you spend before you save, you will never save anything. This order of money expenditure actually turns out to be quite savvy.

The old adage “one day at a time” can relate to a lot of things. If you are trying to quit a vice, just don’t do it for one day… then two, then three, and so forth.

Eventually, those days will turn into weeks and then months, and eventually, there will be no worry when it comes to that vice. It does seem simple and perhaps a little harsh at the beginning of a journey, but it is good advice nonetheless.

Sometimes, even the advice given to a person from a professional seems a little strange. Like, if your body wants to have a panic attack, let it. However, when you really think about it, by removing the stress of trying to stop it, you relieve some of the panic.

Clearly, this person hasn’t had an attack in three years. It’s kind of like letting your body feel what it needs to feel so you can move through it.

This seems like something a hippie or some meditational guru would say. However, though it seems like a flower wearing a peace sign throwing a piece of advice… there is a lot to this one.

When expressing joy and gratitude, the body releases dopamine. Dopamine is a chemical that is tied into your feelings of joy, so scientifically and spiritually, this is a great piece of advice. Saying thank you for the good things in your life can actually make you happy!

How the heck can pulling your shoulders back keep you from experiencing a panic attack? That is probably what most people would say when they heard this piece of advice, but there are some mental cues that this posture brings, among other things.

Once you feel it coming on, straighten your back and throw those shoulders back. It may not work for everyone, but it is surprisingly effective for some.

Are you serious? How can anyone be away from their phone for five seconds? A lot of us have become attached to our phones, and many of us have our whole lives wrapped up in that little 6” screen.

Plus, having access to everything all the time is very distracting. All in all, even though this seems like a pipe dream piece of advice, if you can do it, you will see a marked improvement in your sleep.

Priorities are key when dealing with finance. We all know that, but this piece of advice is kind of eye-opening once you realize it is not useless. In fact, it may be the best piece of advice that an adult in your life has given you.

Understanding your basic needs and stuff you just want can save a lot of money that can be used for other things that you need.

Someone in your life has given you this piece of wisdom, we are sure of it. When they first said it, you were probably like…”no, I’m hungry, pass that burger over here!” However, if you actually use this mentality, you will soon find that it is very true.

Not only are you more thirsty than hungry, as we are all made of mostly water, but water can also fill up an empty stomach, giving a full feeling. This is great advice to add to your diet!

This seems simple and not at all like a piece of advice when it comes down to it. This may be why many feel it is kind of a wasted piece of advice, but there is a lot of merit to it both professionally and personally.

Just showing up shows a dedication and passion for whatever it is you are showing up to. This can mean a lot to the ones you love and just may show those you work with that you are a team player.

A simple change of words can be quite effective in solving problems and making your life a little easier. At first, you may think that the person on the receiving end is looking for an apology.

However, making it about yourself is just making you feel good. Try a little sentence restructuring, and you will be showing gratitude for the other person and showing you are thinking about them instead of yourself.

Sometimes, there are so many things on our plates that it can feel a little overwhelming and cause us to lose focus. This loss of focus, in turn, causes anxiety, which amplifies the lack of focus.

If you feel stressed, though, getting it all out on paper or on a note in your phone can allow your mind to focus and prioritize. Though this seems like a waste of time, you may find it is the biggest life hack you have ever been given.

If they don’t know, they don’t know. Some people just don’t pick up on cues and hints, so if you live your life in this fashion, you may never get what you want. That sounds like a recipe for a very stressful and unfulfilling life.

If someone says don’t beat around the bush, that simply means say what you think and want so that you can get the life and results you want.

This little bit of motherly wisdom may seem like a little bit of old-world frugal thinking, but moms are very rarely wrong when it comes to these things. Anything that keeps you off the ground should be supportive and last a long time.

Once we realize the importance of things of this nature and invest in good quality pieces, it is very obvious why mom said this. Next time, just take mom’s word to heart. She seems to know what she is talking about.

In a world where many people look at likes as a way to determine their worth, it is hard to take this piece of advice to heart. After all, any flaw is often picked apart quickly, but self-love and care are important to anyone’s mental health.

Though this seems like a bit of a platitude, we may think it is a waste of our time. Try it, though, and you will soon find that the voice of the haters begins to disappear.

When money is tight, you may find yourself filling up the gas tank with what you can. When someone looks at you and relays this advice, you may think that would be nice, but there is just no money for that.

However, not filling your tank up and operating your car like this could cost you more money in the long run. Running a vehicle like this can damage the fuel pump, and if that goes, the few extra bucks it would have cost to fill your tank will be increased tenfold.

How can a frozen chunk of water help calm nausea? That just doesn’t make any sense! A remedy so simple sometimes gets scoffed at and pushed aside, but the use of ice cubes can actually help with nausea and motion sickness.

We didn’t think it would work, either, but apparently, there is some science to it. The trick is that you have to suck and not chew. The coldness of the ice cube activates your sympathetic nervous system, which your body uses to calm down.

This can be used not only when you’re on the road but in your life, also. Basically, another way to say slow and steady wins the race, this piece of advice could be looked at as useless, or it can be looked at as a genius way to run your life.

Taking a minute to make sure safety is considered, whether it be physical or mental, can be better than ending up meeting your maker.

We all have instincts and gut reactions, but we often overthink and end up going against them. This, in turn, often leads to unhappiness and regret, so when asked a yes or no question, this advice may just be more useful than you think.

Go with your gut. There is a reason that it is steering you in one way or the other. Though a lot of growth can be gained by stepping out of your comfort zone, most of the time, listening to your body is a good rule of thumb.

Checking yourself before you wreck yourself is always a good idea. After all, we have all had those ideas that seem good at the time but then turn out to be disastrous. Thinking of yourself as an idiot is not necessarily the nicest thing to do, but it does have some merit.

Take a chance to ask yourself the question and see how many head-stuck-in-the-hole moments you have in your life. This could be a life-changing addition to your decision-making process.

Don’t spend all your time worrying about what could happen or that you might end up paralyzed, never moving an inch in your life. Though this seems like a piece of advice given by someone who lives their lives by the seat of the pants, there is some merit to it.

If you let potential problems and missteps keep you in a constant state of worry, you will never achieve your dreams. You will spend your life riddled with anxiety, which affects your health. No one wants that!

Sometimes, the hardest thing to do is listen. This is especially true when it comes to different opinions. Most of us talk over or just don’t hear the words and thoughts of those that share differing views.

However, if we would all stop and listen, you may find that we are not as different as we think. This is also true when it comes to people’s feelings. Listen and let the feelings or opinions sink in. Then, hopefully, the other person will give you the same courtesy. This could solve a lot of problems in the world.

Setting expectations early in any relationship can go either way. You can set it up so that your partner expects certain things, or they don’t. Making sure the expectations you do set up are reasonable can mean the difference between this young lady’s situation and one that is a little less negotiable.

Perhaps, once again, it all comes down to trusting those who have gone before us. They have been there, after all, so they may know a little something.

There is a lot going in this world at any given time, and it can be very stressful. When you are feeling this way, someone giving this piece of advice may seem like they are looking for a punch in the face.

However, the advice is very useful and helps stabilize your mental health, which will also help your overall health. It seems so simple. Therefore, it may be overlooked, but at least try it. It does work.

There are some things in life that seem too easy, and yet they are extremely hard all at the same time. This platitude that motivational gurus and your mom spout are one of those. Often, we are afraid to let our true personality shine, as it may be rejected or laughed at.

However, not being yourself means you are lying to not only those that love you but also to yourself, which is the greatest tragedy of all. Besides if you’re yourself and someone doesn’t like it, then they probably weren’t meant to be your friend.

There are some that say they work better in chaos, but how much time do those people spend looking for things? A clean and tidy workspace or living space could save a lot of time and hassle. For others, this seems like a no brainer.

In the end, the advice is sound, as having everything in its place and a place for everything helps streamline your life and your workflow. It can also help you stay focused and not freak out!

You know how words of wisdom can feel meant for the occasion they are discussed in? When someone says, “‘Don’t force it, ” you may think about the whole square peg and round hole idea. Though this advice seems more tactile, it can actually be taken in many different ways.

Once you understand the idea behind the “don’t force it” mantra, you may find lots of practical use throughout many aspects of your life.

It seems counter-intuitive and difficult to imagine doing anything other than lying in bed binge-watching Netflix when you are sad. However, this only serves to signal your body that you are accepting the situation.

When you exercise or get out into the fresh air, your body is signaled to release hormones like dopamine and cortisol. Both of these can help improve your mood and may be able to get you out of that funk. As hard as it is, get up, get out, and watch your mood improve.

Sometimes, letting things build up means making more time to finish them. It also means more of a chance of procrastination. Taking a few minutes every day to complete a task and doing what you can at the moment is a good idea.

It may not sound like fun, and there may be 10,000 other things you’d rather do, but in the long run, heeding this advice will make you happier.

You have been looking forward to that vacation, but then someone gives you this advice. That seems like a waste of time, right? After all, you are ready to relax and not worry about being an adult.

However, wouldn’t it be nice to maintain that feeling upon return and not have to worry about doing chores? Maybe cleaning the house should be part of your pre-boarding checklist. You’ll thank yourself in the end.

Putting things off is a pastime for many people across the globe. This is especially true of activities or tasks that we think will take little to no time. However, putting it off until you have time can end up with a laundry list of quick tasks that eat into your personal time.

If it is a quick task and you are not in a rush, maybe this advice is not so useless, after all. Just get it done, and then your to-do list won’t pile up on you. Plus, you’ll feel good when you accomplish whatever it is that needs to be done.

There is always a cause and effect to every action we do or should do. Oral hygiene is not a very fun topic, but it is definitely one that is important. Going through the motions every morning means brushing and flossing for most people.

If you don’t floss, apparently your gums begin to inflame, and that is why you tend to bleed. This means you are not flossing enough, and though it is not a fun way to spend a few minutes for sure, your teeth will thank you in the long run.

This is an old piece of advice that seems to stick with us no matter the year or decade. Though it seems simple and almost useless, there is a reason this saying has staying power. Sometimes, criticism is needed, but just because you have a few words to say doesn’t mean you have to be mean.

If, on the other hand, you can’t figure out how to say it nicely, maybe in order to spare feelings and friendships you just shouldn’t say it.

Your life is just a series of moments strung together that forms the story that is you. This may seem like something that comes from a fortune cookie, but the concept is very effective if you can manage to really grab on to it.

By making several little happy moments, it just makes sense that you will be able to have a whole, happy life. In fact, this may be the best advice you could ever receive.

How does thinking positive thoughts before you go to bed do anything for you? After all, your brain goes off into other lands when you’re asleep, right? So how useless is this advice?

Not at all. Like with maintaining a positive outlook when you’re awake, doing so as you fall asleep will allow your brain to keep the thoughts floating around in there. This can help you have better sleep and wake up more refreshed. Try it and see. What could it hurt!?

Once again, this is another fancy way of saying mind over matter. Many of us struggle with the concept, and that is why we let our stories be written by other people.

You can also look at this advice as telling you that, just because something bad happens, doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world. Take it how you want it, but just know it is sound advice.