We had just been to the movie to see Finding Your Feet which was all kinds of hilarious, heartwarming and inspiring. It offered up lots of little life lessons for later mid-life.
It touched on all sorts of issues, and the acting from Imelda Staunton, Celia Imrie, Johanna Lumley, Timothy Spall and David Hayman was wonderful and very real.
The movie relied on reality and wrinkles and wasn’t Hollywood glitz, glamour and cover-up at all, and its messages were very much to make the most of every day and make the effort to Act, Belong and Commit.
It made me think a lot about getting older, and yes, a little bit concerned that time is in fact not on my side anymore.
Will I reach a ripe old age? Will I make the most of the years leading up to that?
Little Life Lessons
Then I asked myself – “So Jo. What would your 95 year old self tell you?”
I think she would tell me to be brave and feisty and fearless.
Like the woman who was asked …
“What position do you like best?”
“CEO” she replied.
I don’t know why that made me laugh so much when I read it – but it did. Really tickled a funny bone in my psyche.
Enjoy Every Day
I think my 95 year old self would say there’s a lot to be said for going lightly through life, having a sense of humour, enjoying every day for what it is, not longing for things, or how life might be, and not sweating the small stuff.
My 95 year old self would tell me …
Chill out – retirement will sort itself out – just enjoy the now and let tomorrow take care of itself.
Get a move on!
Do what you love!
Just do it!
Suck it up Princess!
Kathy from 50 Shades of Age said, “Mine would say ‘go to Europe’, she would wouldn’t she, surely she would say that?”
Another friend said that her 95 year old self would tell her, “Just travel and spend the kids inheritance!”
Someone else said hers would tell her to, “Lose some bloody weight!”
I think she would tell me at 60 that, “You’re not old yet – don’t act it.”
Little Life Lessons & Tips from my 95 year old self
Be positive. I saw a quote on Facebook which said something like don’t be the moaner in a group of people, but be energetic and positive. As we get older it’s easy to talk about our aches and pains and worries, but looking on the bright side is so much more energising for ourselves and others.
Don’t go to bed brooding. Yes, always kiss and make up if you have an argument with your partner before bedtime. Always say sorry, and go to bed with a smile or you’ll exaggerate your negative feelings during the night and wake up feeling terrible.
Be curious. Keep learning. Be open to new technology, learn something new, take a course, go to a conference, you are still worth it.
Open your Eyes – make sure you keep your eyes wide open. Don’t let a day go by when you don’t find something beautiful to stop and gaze at and admire.
Do Good – just be nice. Don’t be egotistical. Help where you can. It’s the little things which count in the end, not the grand gestures. People will always remember you for how you made them feel, rather than all your great achievements.
Don’t be demanding. Be happy with what you’ve got and don’t always think about what you’d like or how you’d like your life to be in the future. Try and always be a giver, not a taker, and always be generous of spirit.
Cherish your friends online and offline. Even those you haven’t seen in years. Keep in touch on social media and remember the good times you spent together in real life. Who knows one day you might be able to meet up – and Woot Woot – crack open the champagne for a good old chinwag.
Always Challenge Yourself. There is never a good reason to sink into a comfort zone and not challenge yourself. Do something that gets you up and out ever day and improve your self confidence daily.
Count Your Blessings. Always. Whether it’s first thing in the morning or last thing at night.
Don’t watch too much TV. Need I say more? It’s a time waste and a time suck.
What would your 95 year old self tell you?
Related Posts
Why Self Confidence is Important and the Best Outfit You’ll Ever Wear!
How to Cheer Yourself Up When You’re Feeling Down
How to Stop Living with Regret
7 Things Self Isolation has Taught me
How to Find Purpose in Life After 50
Quotes to Inspire: How to Live a Better Life
Comfortable winter ankle boots with attitude
I wish that my 95 year old self would have told me NOT to date Cliff or Charlie, and to definitely NOT marry Ray!
But really, I think she would tell me to relax and enjoy the moments, stop being so rushed all the time.
Lol Cherie! Yes, there are some things perhaps we wish we could have known in advance – sliding doors and all that. And Yes, Enjoy The Moments 🙂
Well said, Jo! Loved the inspiration and positivity in your post!
SSG xxx
Thank you SSG 🙂
It’s an interesting question and I think you’ve answered it perfectly Jo. I’m hoping to still be curious and enthusiastic as I get older and not give in to moaning and groaning about being old. #mlstl
Thanks Debbie 🙂 Lol, yes I hope I can avoid the moaning and groaning side of things too 🙂
It looks like you and I were on a similar mind path this week Jo. My 95 year old self would definitely say “go to Europe” but it would also say “at all times be true to yourself and don’t sweat the small stuff” Thanks Jo, this is a fabulous post and also thanks for the mention. We can only hope that we will both make it to 95 years of age and still have our marbles!! #TeamLovinLife
I love that Kathy too. Yes, here’s to keeping our marbles and still conversing across the great divide (or maybe we’ll be teleporting by then?)
I think your 95 year old self would definitely tell you to come visit Jan and me on the Sunshine Coast, I’m sure she would 😉
Great post Jo, I’m pinning it x
I think she would Jan! Yes, I must make a plan 🙂
This is such a great post!! I totally agreed with everything.
My 95 year old would tell me to stop being so worried about failing and messing up. I always hate making a mistake, but really it’s just part of life, right?
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Hi Jodie, yes the fear of messing up is real. Our 95 year old selves would tell us that it’s just part of the big picture I reckon!
What a lovely, positive and inspiring post Jo! I’m not sure that I’ll live to 95 but if I did, I think the 95 year old Min would tell 53 (going on 54) year old Min to get out of the house and explore and live and travel more! It’s hard when your hubby is still commuting/working 5 days per week but soon I hope. BTW – I’m loving seeing different spots in WA through your eyes on Insta! 🙂 #TeamLovinLife
Thank you Min 🙂 I hope things come to a point where you can both get out and travel more soon. And thank you for your kind words about my Insta feed 🙂 BTW I love yours too 😉 (Especially Ava) 🙂
I think my older self would tell me I should be more spontaneous. I am a plotter and planner and rarely ever take a chance or step out of my comfort zone.
Hi Victoria, aha, yes spontaneity can be invigorating if we’ll just let go of control once ina while.
Your 95 year old self is very wise. I think we can learn from her! I hope my older self tells me that I’ve lived every day to the fullest with no regrets.
Hi Candi, I think I like your 95 year old self and she is wise too 🙂
I left you a really long comment – hopefully it ended up in your spam mail – if not I guess it was the thought that counted…….
I loved how wise your 95 year old self is Jo – I have a horrible feeling mine will be the cranky old lady at the nursing home who doesn’t like the dinner menu! Hopefully I won’t turn into that person but she’s always in the back of my mind on those days when I’m whinging about something 🙂 Thanks for the tips on how to keep her at bay!
Thanks for linking up with us at #MLSTL and I’ve shared this on my SM xx
Haha, you made me laugh Leanne! I think mine will be cranky too. Feisty but cranky!
I have started a new blog series to inspire myself to step outside my comfort zone…as inspired by my 95 year old self. She says I tend to play it too safe, except in the area of marriage where I have thrown all caution and sense to the wind more than once.
I get anxious about some of the silliest things and that anxiety can be paralyzing. Going to try, now that I have turned 60, to turn a new leaf and go bold or go home! Great post.
Hi Leslie, I’m so glad that you have started a new blog series to inspire yourself and to help overcome anxiety. Keep going – it is wonderful to get to the stage where spontaneity is fun.
Great list, Johanna!! I had a career in ElderCare so had many other 95 yr olds giving me similar advice. This sure isn’t a dress rehearsal and that “No regrets!” reminder enters into many of my decisions. #mlstl
Aha, Agnes, yes I expect working in ElderCare was enlightening when it comes to little life lessons.
Great tips Jo and I agree with them all. I’ve been so wanting to see this movie so I need to just do it! Thanks for linking up and sharing some wisdom with us at #MLSTL
Hi Sue, the movie is a winner. You just have to make a plan to see it 🙂
Thanks for sharing a good list of life lessons and tips. I think my 95-year-old self would tell me I’ve lived well.
Thanks Natalie. Aww, that’s nice from your 95 year old self. Good on you 🙂
Excellent advice!!! Especially Don’t be Demanding. I need to be content where I’m at, while striving to be my best. I recently went back to school, and I’m in my 40’s. I’d love for you to visit my blog, thanks again for the post!
Hi Rebecca, Well done going back to school! So important to keep on learning as we journey through life.
I know that my 85-year-old self (if I make it there) would say that I am dumb-you-know what and that you were lucky. LOL. #MLSTL
LOL! Nice to know they would acknowledge the lucky bit but I’d pull them up short on the other!!