Most of us, at best, learn from our own mistakes and experiences, which is better than not learning at all, but often leaves us unprepared for things we have yet to encounter. So it is always wise to learn what one can from the folks who have lived a little bit more life.
Someone asked, “People who are 55+ and happy with your life, what is your best advice to those under 25?” So if you are in the right age category, perhaps prepare to take some notes, scroll through, upvote your favorites and if you have some wisdom to spill, be sure to do it in the comments section below.
#22
Treat your body well now, because you will either reap the rewards of it or suffer the consequences of it later.
Enjoy your life and explore your hobbies and make your friends. Take this time to grow and heal and become the best version of yourself that you can.
39points
#23
I am 66 y.o. Having a spouse you adore helps you overcome the c**p life throws at you.
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39points
#24
1. Act in good faith. This is fantastically underestimated. Cultivate curiosity, eschew judgment.
2. Tend to your relationships, even when - and especially when - you don't feel like it.
3. Prioritize being your best, physically, emotionally and mentally.
2. Tend to your relationships, even when - and especially when - you don't feel like it.
3. Prioritize being your best, physically, emotionally and mentally.
36points
#25
Share your skills or talents freely with others and ask them to do the same for you. Knowledge is power.
35points
#26
Take a cooking class and you will be much happier that you don’t have to always order out and maybe meet someone new. It’s also better than the dating apps.
32points
#27
Take risks. At least try everything you always wanted to do/attempt. You don't want to be my age and be able to say "I wish I would've done/tried *X*". You get one of these lives. Do it all.
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29points
#28
Be patient and pursue meaningful goals.
21points
#29
57 here.
Start saving for retirement now. I know it’s decades away, but the sooner you start, the less you have to save out of every paycheck thanks to the magic of compounding interest. By the time you’re 50, you could easily have $1M.
I only aggressively started saving at 42 and probably won’t reach $1M before I retire.
I only aggressively started saving at 42 and probably won’t reach $1M before I retire.
At a minimum, save enough so you get 100% of your employer match.
Have kids by 30 so you’re young enough to spend time with them through high school and to see grandchildren grow up.
My youngest is 11 and I know I might never see his kids. Kinda makes me sad.
Stay away from debt except for a home and maybe a vehicle. Credit card debt is an addiction that enables impulse buying for stuff you probably don’t need or even want. I got caught in a debt trap in my late 20’s and had to file bankruptcy.
All lessons learned the hard way. Take from it what you will.
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21points