Age Old Advice

I’m on the edge of 55, teetering so close that if I peer forward to see over my toes I’ll tumble. Young Ilina might have felt that I’d be going over the edge by this point in my life. I mean, 55! Is this where they say that more of my life is behind me than ahead of me? That’s a bullshit way to look at the world. The thing is, time is never guaranteed. 

Now that I’m over halfway to 100, I feel like I do have some wisdom to share.

But I also want to point out that I still have so much to learn. 

1. Curiosity is the secret to youth. Never stop learning.
2. Don’t take yourself so seriously.
3. When you know better, do better.
4. Be earnest. Authenticity wins every time.
5. One true version of yourself is enough. Don’t change for the audience at hand.
6. We don’t outgrow silliness.
7. Moderation matters in what you eat but not in your values.
8. There’s no need to tolerate intolerance. 
9. Hate is never on the right side of history.
10. Show a little tenderness…to yourself.
11. Taking a walk is a magical etch-a-sketch shake.
12. Sprinkles make ice cream better.
13. Eat the rainbow and eat what’s in season.
14. Bugles and Haribo gummi bears are the perfect road trip food.
15. Use your nice shit. China and crystal should be center stage, not stuffed in a cabinet.
16. Linger at the dinner table.
17. Cloth napkins elevate every meal.
18. Style and comfort aren’t mutually exclusive.
19. Don’t neglect your neck to prevent crepey skin.
20. Moisturize, day and night.
21. Use sunscreen everyday, even when it’s cloudy.
22. Read. Listening to audiobooks counts.
23. Remember how you used your time before we all had a phone in our pocket.
24. Experiences are better than things.
25. Write cards and letters beyond the holiday season. Definitely write thank you notes!
26. Find friends of all ages.
27. Create a home that shows who you are, not what’s matchy-matchy from a catalog.
28. Get a will. 
29. Give your time and your talent to things you care about.
30. Show up for your people – family, friends, colleagues, community.
31. Learn the stories about where you live. The land was someone else’s before we were here.
32. Protect the planet. That means your actions and your words. 
33. Use your voice and your vote.
34. This bears repeating. VOTE.
35. Don’t bother buying uncomfortable shoes.
36. Buy the nice bag and use it. But get it secondhand.
37. Make your bed everyday.
38. Mind your manners.
39. Don’t drive with the music too loud. You gotta be able to hear the sounds of the road.
40. Don’t underestimate the value of integrity.
41. If you don’t know how to pronounce someone’s name, ask.
42. Play games. Frolic. Splash in puddles.
43. Take unposed photos to capture moments in time.
44. Channel your inner cat and lie in the sun and do nothing once in a while.
45. Travel, whether it’s the world or your home town. Just explore.
46. Don’t trust people who don’t like animals.
47. Grilled cheese and tomato soup can cure a multitude of ailments.
48. Always have bubbles in the fridge. Celebrate the little joys found in every day.
49. You’ll never go hungry if you always have the makings of a cheese board on hand.
50. Hydrate.
51. It’s OK to do things because you enjoy them, not to master them.
52. Save for retirement. 
53. You can’t say “I love you” too much. 
54. Make good choices, not feel good choices.
55. Chase joy.

 Time is a gift. And it’s the best present I could ask for.