Life Lessons at 50Â
Life Lessons over 50 years old sometimes come as a surprise. Sometimes it’s something you’ve known since childhood but have to relearn the true meaning. The age of 50 or plus is a time of great reflection for many. It’s a time when your mortality begins to stare in your face. You are now on the other side of middle age. Time and years go faster than you desire, but it’s also a time to live your best self. Living your best means paying attention to five life lessons and realizing that learning never stops.
Having It All is Overrated
The first life lesson at 50 is having it all is overrated. You’ve worked hard and long for many years. Having it all has consequences. Everyone dreams of having the perfect house, car, spouse, or other material things. All of these things cost you money and valuable time. The expenses incurred to keep it all are sometimes overwhelming because you have to keep working long hours to continue to hold to it all. Long hours means less time for family, friends, and fun. Having it all causes more stress than you want or need.
You’re Not Invincible
Second, no one is invincible including you. Good health is a valuable asset that you want to keep. This life lesson at 50 hits hard and quickly. One day you realize you’re not physically in good shape because you didn’t take time to take care of yourself. Exercising on a regular basis did not happen when you pursued it all. Your blood pressure and cholesterol are high. Possibly you’re walking around with other ailments and don’t know it because you won’t make time for a doctor appointment. Eventually, you recognize you’re not invincible.
Manage Your Money
The third life lesson at 50 is to continue to budget, budget, and budget. While you already know the importance of managing your money, the older you get the more you’ll realize the need to save and spend wisely. As you age you look forward to retiring or working less. However, retirement is a sticker shock! Retirement checks are much smaller than paychecks. Plus retirement checks arrive once a month. Be prepared financially for a big change in your wallet.
Caretaking
Fourthly, your next life lesson at 50 is that you will become a caretaker of an elderly parent or relative. As we age so does our parents. Are you prepared for the responsibilities of a caretaker? For those who raised you as a child will now need you more than ever. You must look after their physical, emotional and financial health. Be prepared to make major life decisions on their behalf. Also, remember to take care of yourself while taking care of someone else.
Keep It Simple
The fifth life lesson at 50 is to keep it simple. Life is complicated in its own right. Don’t make things harder than need be. You may not have all that you want. Ask yourself do you have everything that you need. What is most important to you? Make a list! However, the list should not a long one. Remember to keep it simple. For over 50 years you didn’t keep it simple and has it made you happier?
What are some life lessons you’ve learned recently?
It’s a Golden Time
It’s a golden time in life. Living past a half-century brings much knowledge, and experiences. Count your gray hairs and chalk them up to wisdom. It’s a time to lighten the mental and physical loads. Aging means more life lessons to share with younger generations. Although we get older, learning never stops. Continue to soak it in and live your best life.
Additional Resources
Five Great Things About Growing Old by Anne Marie O’Neal
https://www.realsimple.com/work-life/life-strategies/inspiration-motivation/growing-old
The Best Things About Getting Older by Barbara Brody
https://www.womansday.com/health-fitness/womens-health/advice/a8345/getting-older/
What is so Good About Growing Old
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/what-is-so-good-about-growing-old-130839848/
Life Gets Better After 50: Why Age tends to work in favor of happiness
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/may/05/happiness-curve-life-gets-better-after-50-jonathan-rauch
The Age Adults are at Their Happiest
https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/age-people-are-happiest-study-revealed-sunlife-over-50-a7666626.html
Sage advice. Love it 🙂