Letter To My Younger Self
Imagine if 10 years ago you knew everything you have learned since. Obviously, not the lottery numbers (if only!), but all the wisdom, knowledge, experience that you have now. Would it have helped make life easier? Might you have taken a different path? Would it change who you turned out to be?
I Thought I Would Write My 50-Year-Old Self a Letter
Want to read it? Here goes…
Hello, Beautiful Lady!
Well, I’m still here, despite me thinking those pains in my chest were something terrible (turns out it was indigestion!).
Life has been a bit of a roller coaster since FiftyMe, as life often is. Some lows, of course, but so many highs now I have grown wise enough to know what matters, and more importantly, what doesn’t.
How I used to worry about those wrinkles! When now I smile and am thankful for all the experiences I have had along the way that gave me them. And don’t get me started on those hairs that started sprouting from my chin, especially at the same time as the ones on my eyebrows mysteriously disappeared!
Now I am content with how I look and how I feel. Sure, I don’t like the aches and pains, but they remind me I am still here, living, while many have not been so fortunate. I count my blessings every day.
I used to get so upset about all those tiny details that really didn’t matter at all. Waiting in all day and my parcel not arriving, missing the train or bus, or having to go to the dentist. How silly they all seem now.
And that argument you had with your sister… all over and done, just a silly miscommunication, as so much often is. Now she comes to lunch most Sundays and calls me every day. How you worried and thought you would never see her again.
You were always so busy! I know you enjoyed your work, but sometimes you would be working late into the night, or over the weekend. Take your time. Enjoy life, enjoy your surroundings. Walk in the rain, dance on the beach (wear that polka dot bikini!). Jump in puddles, kick up leaves. Listen to the sounds of the birds and smell the grass. Smile, often. These are the things that are important, not money, or possessions.
Do you remember when I used to say I would never go on a cruise? How people who went on cruises were, somehow, different. Well, guess what? I went on a cruise and had the most amazing time! I met some wonderful people and have even booked another one for later this year. I am embracing change and loving what it is giving me in return. I may be getting older but there is a great big world still out there, and I want to be part of it!
I guess what I am trying to say is don’t worry about things that don’t matter, most things sort themselves out, if we let them. Also, keep in contact with those you love, you never know what’s round the corner.
Take risks, what’s the worst that can happen? Failure is just another way to say ‘I am learning’. And who doesn’t love to learn? Remember those art classes you wanted to do? Go do them, you never know where they could lead! What would the world be like without Picasso or Renoir?
Forgive. I know it’s a bit of a cliche but life really is too short for holding grudges. If someone upsets you, let it go. Does it really matter who was right or wrong? Often, we forget what the argument was even about. Pride costs a great deal and is the cause of many relationship breakdowns. Be the one who gives the olive branch.
Mostly, I want to say, enjoy your life; we are not on this earth for very long. Be brave, take every opportunity that comes your way. It is usually the things we didn’t do that we regret, not the things we did. Be kind always, you never know when you may need a little help and support yourself.
Finally, love yourself. You are pretty awesome after all, and I have it on good authority that there is no-one else quite like you. Open your heart, open your mind and get living. I can’t wait to see who you turn into!
Lots of love, your Sixty Something Self x
Let’s Have a Conversation:
What would you write your 50-year-old self? Have you already written a letter to your younger self? What have you learned about yourself and the world since?
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I would definitely tell my younger self how strong she really is and how she can really handle everything that life throws at her.
Hi Lauren, thanks for joining the conversation. That sounds like the perfect message to me! Have a wonderful day. Lily x
My younger self would be in her late 30 early 40s. My fifties was when I finally figured life out! I have so much to say to that younger self.
Hi Kay, thanks for being part of the conversation! Haha :) You beat me to it! Have a lovely day. Lily x
My late parents were lovely people and I had immense respect for them but I wish I had gone my own way on leaving school and getting a job.
I come from a working class family and whilst I did well in school I had to leave and get a job at 16. It was a big thing for a girl like me to get an office job, it made working class parents proud as they saw it as being a big step up from the opportunities they’d had (my parents served in WW2 when they were in their 20s). My sister is 8 years older and was a secretary so they wanted me to be like her.
However, I hated being stuck in an office as I’d really wanted to do something creative like learning makeup for TV and film. Friends went into hairdressing apprenticeships but my mother felt that was for girls who had no qualifications, although many of those girls went on to own their own salons and run successful businesses.
I gave up office work for 3 years in my early to mid 30s when I read for a degree. I went back to office work when I graduated but it was management and Arts based in a role I wanted to be in. I do sometimes think what I would have been if I’d been able to pursue my dream though, but I’m in my early 60s now so there’s not a lot of point in dwelling on it.
It took my husband until he was 45 to achieve what he wanted to be, he hated every one of the jobs he had between graduation and that age!
Hi Linda, thank you for your comment! Good for you (and your husband) to achieve your dreams, its what most of us strive for and what makes us happy! I am a writer in my sixties and just achieved my dream of writing whatever I like, I became a guest blogger on sixty and me and have just launched my own blogs site. https://growingoldgrowingfree.blogspot.com
Lily x
If I would write a letter to my younger self, I would tell myself not to worry about things as much, and I would of moved somewhere so I would not be expected to babysit all the time because I am retired a daughter that’s a single mom to 2 6 ur old twins she and boyfriend at the time were just going together he never had planned on marrying but she want a child I’d not told her that it’s not what you think it’s not all fun and games we of course she didnt listen now she regrets it buts it’s too late and with twins she will do anything else.if she could not be with them little girl is a sweehart but little guy I do feel sorry for we think has a bipolar personality sshes 41 im 70 and tired just want to run Away . Just have to get it off my chest, thanks for listening.
No is a complete sentence….. you don’t have to watch the kids all the0 time if you don’t want it.
Be glad you have grand kids!! I have three children and only one has had a child. I feel so blessed to have my one grand child!! Love them and never let them feel alone in this crazy world.
Don’t get to 80, look back & wish you had done something differently.
Bite the bullet & do something radical NOW—go on a 4 week cruise, pack a bag & go on a long train ride. I know family ties are strong—but what are you missing out on? You deserve to live! Your daughter will cope, because she will HAVE to. She doesn’t HAVE to cope while you are there. Move!, she might be angry for a while. So what? What would happen if you caught COVID? What if you fractured your hip? What will happen if (sadly) you die? You can’t babysit then!
Hi Ladies, thank you for being part of the conversation.It is wonderful to look back with hindsight, how many things might we have changed if only we knew how they would turn out! This lovely community always listen and support. I love that :) Have a wonderful day. Lily x
Thank you for sharing this letter, it has really touched me. I am almost 65 and slowly finding my peace. I started counseling when my painter mother passed in 2022 and brother in 2021. I always said “I have no artistic talent, my mother and brother got that gene”. It was a couple of rough years but with the help of my gentle and caring psychologist, I have taken up painting and I’m surprised at what I can do. I also purchased a used keyboard and have taken up online piano lessons where I left off in third grade and I’m volunteering at a horse riding center for disabled people. I know I am smiling more and journaling!! My counselor says I’m doing great and don’t need counseling anymore , but I still like to chat with her once a month just to keep in touch . Thank you for your letter, it started my day with a smile today.
Good morning Lori, What a lovely post to read, Thank you. I am sorry to hear you lost both your mum and brother in such a short space of time, but I imagine they would both be very proud of you. Look how far you have come! I love the idea about volunteering at the riding station. Have a lovely day and thank you again. Lily x