Things I've Learned in 50 Years
1. You never feel your age. I still feel the same as I did at 15 or 30. I don't feel 50. I just feel like me.
2. Nobody cares how messy your house is. They just want to sit and drink coffee and talk. Don't not invite someone over because it isn't clean enough.
3. That said, I enjoy coming home to a clutter-free home. It feels welcoming and restful at the end of the day. I've learned to spend a few minutes before bed or before work straightening up so I can come home to a peaceful environment.
4. It's hard to find clothes I love at this age. I don't want to look like my daughter and I don't want to look like my mother, although they are both lovely. I think my style could creatively be described as "Michelle Obama Goes Hiking." I rely on lots of cardigans, ballet flats and slim jeans, with some Patagonia and Chacos thrown in. I would like to be more stylish, but I don't like trendy pieces. Is this a universal problem?
5. It gets harder to make friends as you get older. When I had babies and young children, that was enough in common to bond easily with another woman. Now it feels like I will never make any more friends.
6. By age 50, the good things and not good things you've done start to show consequences. Diet, exercise or lack thereof, all of it starts to catch up with you.
7. Also, it's never too late to make changes.
8. Coconut oil is a gift from the gods and can be used to fix almost any problem you have. I use it to pop popcorn, make homemade deodorant and moisturize my sensitive skin.
9. Every child is different, and what you learned from the first one will not work on the second or third one.
10. The best thing you can do as a parent is read to your child. Every day. Be prepared to read the same book over and over again. Get to know your librarian and local bookstore. Start young.
11. Do not be afraid to have a third child. Sure, you will be outnumbered, but they are a delight that
you will never regret.
12. Use sunscreen, but get out in the sun. Who cares if you get some spots and wrinkles? You are a human, not a museum piece.
13. Get your moles checked and get your mammogram. It's important.
14. If you eat crap, you feel like crap. It took me a surprisingly long time to make that connection.
15. Buy the best quality food you can afford. If you can afford organic, do it. If you can't, don't worry about it. You are literally made of what you eat. You deserve better than cheap and fast.
16. Eat more vegetables.
17. Single parents work harder than anyone else in the world. They have my admiration and respect.
18. It's important to talk to your daughter about birth control before you think she needs it. Also, talk to your sons about their responsibility. I'm sure my sons are tired of hearing me say, "Two forms of birth control!" Not sorry.
19. There is a difference between nice and kind. You don't always have to be a "nice girl." But it almost always is a good idea to be kind when you can.
20. You need less than you think. Less money, less space, less clothes, less commitments.
21. There are a few things you probably need more of. Hugs, vegetables, walks in the woods, and solitude are a few.
22. It's good to have hobbies. Things you do for the sheer enjoyment of it. Not to make money. You don't even have to be particularly good at it. I enjoy knitting and playing piano. I am an expert at neither.
23. You look fine. Nobody else notices how you look as much as you think they do. If you are happy with who you see in the mirror, that is all that is required.
24. It's ok to change your mind. Raising kids, I did so many things I said I would never do. I've changed my mind and opinion on issues both political and personal. It's ok. It indicates growth.
25. Getting older is not frightening or awful. It's very liberating.
1. You never feel your age. I still feel the same as I did at 15 or 30. I don't feel 50. I just feel like me.
2. Nobody cares how messy your house is. They just want to sit and drink coffee and talk. Don't not invite someone over because it isn't clean enough.
3. That said, I enjoy coming home to a clutter-free home. It feels welcoming and restful at the end of the day. I've learned to spend a few minutes before bed or before work straightening up so I can come home to a peaceful environment.
4. It's hard to find clothes I love at this age. I don't want to look like my daughter and I don't want to look like my mother, although they are both lovely. I think my style could creatively be described as "Michelle Obama Goes Hiking." I rely on lots of cardigans, ballet flats and slim jeans, with some Patagonia and Chacos thrown in. I would like to be more stylish, but I don't like trendy pieces. Is this a universal problem?
5. It gets harder to make friends as you get older. When I had babies and young children, that was enough in common to bond easily with another woman. Now it feels like I will never make any more friends.
6. By age 50, the good things and not good things you've done start to show consequences. Diet, exercise or lack thereof, all of it starts to catch up with you.
7. Also, it's never too late to make changes.
8. Coconut oil is a gift from the gods and can be used to fix almost any problem you have. I use it to pop popcorn, make homemade deodorant and moisturize my sensitive skin.
9. Every child is different, and what you learned from the first one will not work on the second or third one.
10. The best thing you can do as a parent is read to your child. Every day. Be prepared to read the same book over and over again. Get to know your librarian and local bookstore. Start young.
11. Do not be afraid to have a third child. Sure, you will be outnumbered, but they are a delight that
you will never regret.
12. Use sunscreen, but get out in the sun. Who cares if you get some spots and wrinkles? You are a human, not a museum piece.
13. Get your moles checked and get your mammogram. It's important.
14. If you eat crap, you feel like crap. It took me a surprisingly long time to make that connection.
15. Buy the best quality food you can afford. If you can afford organic, do it. If you can't, don't worry about it. You are literally made of what you eat. You deserve better than cheap and fast.
16. Eat more vegetables.
17. Single parents work harder than anyone else in the world. They have my admiration and respect.
18. It's important to talk to your daughter about birth control before you think she needs it. Also, talk to your sons about their responsibility. I'm sure my sons are tired of hearing me say, "Two forms of birth control!" Not sorry.
19. There is a difference between nice and kind. You don't always have to be a "nice girl." But it almost always is a good idea to be kind when you can.
20. You need less than you think. Less money, less space, less clothes, less commitments.
21. There are a few things you probably need more of. Hugs, vegetables, walks in the woods, and solitude are a few.
22. It's good to have hobbies. Things you do for the sheer enjoyment of it. Not to make money. You don't even have to be particularly good at it. I enjoy knitting and playing piano. I am an expert at neither.
23. You look fine. Nobody else notices how you look as much as you think they do. If you are happy with who you see in the mirror, that is all that is required.
24. It's ok to change your mind. Raising kids, I did so many things I said I would never do. I've changed my mind and opinion on issues both political and personal. It's ok. It indicates growth.
25. Getting older is not frightening or awful. It's very liberating.
26) Expand your world. There is no substitute for travel, especially international travel, to open your eyes to what else is going on in the world. Interact with others while on your journey.
ReplyDelete27) Read for yourself. It doesn't matter what genre captures your imagination, but books are a form of travel as well. The best ones take you on an adventure and will challenge some of your personal truths. This is a personal growth opportunity.