As a 50-year-old, there are valuable life lessons I’ve learned that I wish I could share with my 20-year-old self. Here are some insights:
Be Kind: The benefits of kindness far outweigh the effort you put in. Do random acts of kindness, compliment others, and be understanding and patient. Kind people tend to live longer than unkind ones12.
Self-Knowledge: Trust yourself. You know yourself better than anyone else. Don’t let other people’s opinions dictate your choices. Their opinions are merely suggestions—take them or leave them.
Universal Insecurity: Everyone else is as worried and insecure as you are. Some people just hide it better. Remember that it doesn’t mean they’re smarter or better than you.
Laugh It Off: When you make mistakes, fall down, or do something silly, laugh it off. Everyone makes dumb mistakes. You’re not alone, and you’re definitely not the biggest idiot in the world. Give yourself a break.
Authenticity Over Conformity: “Fitting in” is overrated. Be true to yourself. Confidence is attractive, and great leaders didn’t get where they are by following the crowd.
Toxic Relationships: Don’t stay in a bad relationship, even if it’s “for the kids.” Often, kids thrive outside the bounds of a toxic relationship.
Material Possessions: Remember that it’s just stuff. While things may get broken, they can be replaced. Hurtful words, on the other hand, can’t be erased. Prioritize relationships over possessions.
Intellectual Confidence: You’re probably a lot smarter than you give yourself credit for. Trust your intelligence and abilities.
Avoid Judgment: Don’t judge others. You don’t know all the facts. That speeding driver might be rushing to the hospital, the “tantrum” kid could be on the autism spectrum, and the person in the bikini may have achieved significant weight loss. Let empathy guide you.
Inner Child: Never lose your inner child. Dance, sing, skip, tell silly jokes (not to strangers, though), and embrace joy. Life is too short to take everything seriously12.
Remember, when you’re 20, people might think you’re “too old” for some of these things, but when a 50-something does them, it’s charming. And if anyone thinks it’s dumb, well, let’s just say: screw them! 🌟🌼🎉
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