Last time I shared some thoughts about what advice I’d give my younger self and asked readers for their advice for their younger selves. Turns out the advice is pretty universal…and downright inspiring.
You are here for the long haul. There will be a time when you can’t remember what you worried about.
-Brenda
Others were a bit more practical…
Sacrificing that money for retirement investment out of your paycheck each payday will turn out to be WORTH IT. Start early.
-William
One reader nailed it.
I regret many things I DID NOT DO!!
-Conceição Brito
Some things are not meant to be understood and it is all a part of life. You will survive.-Michelle
Reader Joe Isaacs’ thoughts – read them all – have good advice for any generation, and ends with an insightful and uplifting note…
You are in charge of your happiness! Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it is still a gift!
-Joe Isaacs
And reader Sandra P. proves she’s living her best life right now – a safari and a Carnegie Hall performance! Read her inspirational comment and how she’s ‘Aging wth Attitude. You GO, Girl!
Every one is a gem so read them all, and add your own. We’ll keep the comments open for a while so feel free to add your wisdom. And thanks for contributing!
ORIGNIAL TEXT:
If I knew then….
…what I know now.
At New Year’s I look forward…and I look back, too, and review the lessons learned.
I curse the day I sold my McDonald’s stock in the 90’s because it was stuck at $50 a share for more than a year. It’s now trading at more than $262 a share.
I consider my college career and wish I had given my Italian language class a chance.
There are several writing contracts I’d take back and renegotiate in a New York Minute…if I knew then what I know now.
If I could meet my younger self, I’d tell her that naps are underrated and nights clubbing till dawn is overrated….and not to drink or dance too close to the speakers (she said, looking at her hearing aids). I’d tell her to eat more fiber.
But that’s me. How about you? What would you tell your younger self? Let us know in the comments!
Virge Randall is Senior Planet’s Managing Editor. She is also a freelance culture reporter who seeks out hidden gems and unsung (or undersung) treasures for Straus Newspapers; her blog “Don’t Get Me Started” puts a quirky new spin on Old School New York City. Send Open Thread suggestions to editor@seniorplanet.org.
COMMENTS
13 responses to “Open Thread Update: If I knew then….”
I would tell my younger self to speak up and speak out. I would tell her you’re stronger and more resilient than you think you are. Be brave!
I am a senior that worked hard for 50+ years. If I was to do it over again I would just live off of the government and charity and have my freedom. Many are doing this and still have free food and shelter and making out okay.
I’d tell my younger self that all older people are not stupid or crazy, that you should take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way, and be careful of those who may stab you in the back along the way in your career. I don’t mean to sound so negative but these things really happen.
I regret many things I DID NOT DO!! I would tell my younger self to enjoy life, never pass a good opportunity, never take anything very seriously (except motherhood, children are precious if you choose to have them), to be wise but take calculated risks. And,above all, to be independent!
That things will happen in your life that you do not understand and you will not like it.
It’s ok. Some things are not meant to be understood and it is all a part of life.
You will survive.
You are here for the long haul. There will be a time when you can’t remember what you worried about.
When you are young, remember your body has to last a long time. Take care of it.
You will have heartaches and joys and you will keep in keeping on. It’s worth it.
I’d tell myself that having work-life balance is essential to one’s health and wellbeing. Few of us look back on our lives and say “Gosh, I wish I spent more time at work and missed out on more family time and fun.”
You are in charge of your happiness! Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it is still a gift!
In addition to respecting your elders, respect the younger generation and their opinions. Give advice, not criticism — just as you desired from your elders growing up.
I wish I knew that I was OK just the way I was. I was afraid of doing so much for fear of making mistakes and either damaging myself or being called a fool. But I am working on it. And this year – my 70th I sang with a chorale group in Carnegie Hall and took a safari to South Africa! I am still pinching myself!
I would say please don’t take things so personally. Consider that you don’t know the other person’s motivation.
Don’t compare yourself with others as if everyone else has it together while you do not.
I love the book title “Feel the fear and do it anyway”—an excellent way to experience the fullness of possibilities.
Great book title!
I’d tell my younger self you are going to have a husband who loves you for three decades, and after he dies you will have a wonderful life filled with joy. You will travel around the world and meet amazing people on your journey.
Agree about the loud music which gifted me with tinnitus today, as well as sticking with the foreign language classes in college, French in my case.
I would also tell my younger self repeatedly that it’s OK to be exactly who you are and to find ways to be grateful every day for that.
Only then can we ever successfully achieve our goals, which then leads to more healthy self-esteem. It’s a positive and joyful vicious cycle.
Find a way to inner peace. A must for living this life.
Sacrificing that money for retirement investment out of your paycheck each payday will turn out to be WORTH IT. Start early.
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