60 Things I’ve Learned in My 60 Years of Life: Nuggets of Wisdom from an Old Broad

I don’t usually write listicles, but sometimes you have to break your own writing rules, right?

These are short nuggets of wisdom, but I believe good advice from a sixty-year-old, eclectic, hippie-ish, unapologetic thinker who has experienced a full life, from the depths to the highs. Learn more about me here, if you’d like.

In no particular order, here is what I have learned in my 60 years of life (so far):

Life will not go as expected; go with the flow and learn from it. This is a hard one, which is why I wrote it first. If you deeply learn this, you will save yourself some pain. Life sometimes sucks.
Nothing matters that much. Keep this truth in perspective. No one will remember your life in two generations. Do you know the details of your great grandmother’s life? I didn’t think so.
Love is what matters most in life. Everything else is temporary ego. Love yourself first. Love others by treating them as you would like to be treated. Give love and love will come to you. A life without love is tragic.
Learn to fully accept yourself as you are, even with all your imperfections and trauma. No one judges you harder than yourself.
Most people are thinking about themselves; you are not that important. Remember this when you believe others are judging you.
Religion was created by men as an attempt to explain the universe and life’s meaning, and then used to control the masses. It’s bullshit.
Be grateful for all the people in your life; you can lose them at any time.
Life is about accepting change; the sooner you learn this, the stronger you become, and you will be able to handle anything that pulls the rug out from under you.
Most people will not remember anything you tell them. People are focused on themselves, not you. So, don’t sweat it if you have to repeat yourself. It doesn’t mean they don’t care about you. It means they are human.
Once people show you who they are, believe them. Don’t make excuses for them and continue to allow them to harm you.
Walk away from anyone who laughs at you. They do not respect you.
Run from any sort of abuse, whether physical, emotional, psychological, spiritual, or financial. Abusers are highly insecure people, and they come in all shapes and sizes.
Travel. Travel to different countries and all sorts of places. You will learn that all people are the same; we all want the same things. And you will create unforgettable memories and experiences.
When you find something you love, drown yourself in it because life is about feeling joyful and finding that sweet spot.
Always question your instincts, thoughts, perceptions, beliefs, and knowledge. As humans, we are prone to want to believe what we want to believe, not what is true. Read this one again.
Educate yourself. Learn and study. Go to college and learn to pick apart arguments and critically analyze the fuck out of everything. If you do, you will not be manipulated, mind-controlled, or fooled.
Frustration is part of life. Learn to be patient. I know this is not easy, but you will become a better person if you practice patience and create more joy in your life.
Don’t hoard your money; give to organizations or people who need it. As the old saying goes, “It is better to give than to receive.” This is true.
Do not allow anyone to tell you how to live your life; it’s always your choice. Do not live your life for or because of someone else. But never harm others with the life you choose to live.
Forgive others. Everyone has bad days. You are not always nice, either.
If you see a pattern of toxic behavior in another person, run. In most cases, you cannot help them. They have to want to help themselves first.
It’s okay to get divorced and start over; leave if you don’t want to be shackled. Run if you are in an abusive marriage; it will not get better.
If you choose to have children, love them with all of your heart for as long as you live. They did not ask to be here, and they deserve all of your love and support.
Read books. Read lots of different types of books. Other people’s stories can literally (pun intended) change your life!
Do things that scare you; it is the only way to learn and master your fears. Being courageous opens doors you never thought possible.
Don’t involve yourself in gossip; it is unproductive and stupid. Focus on the person(s) in front of you.
Create your life around your job and not your job around your life. Read this one again.
Leave a toxic workplace; some things cannot be fixed; learn to know the difference.
Listen to your intuition; it can save your life.
Plant a garden. It promotes wellness for yourself and the earth.
Decorate and take care of your abode. Remove excess stuff. Make your living space beautiful; it is where you will spend a lot of your life.
Fall in love. There is nothing better in this life than the high that comes from being in love.
When love ends, just move on. Do not try to hold on to your former lover. Don’t be controlling. Be thankful for the experience and let it go.
Music brings unfathomable and indescribable joy. Listen to music!
Listen to the opinions of others, even if you disagree. You might learn something.
Stay away from narcissistic people; they will ruin your life.
Run from anyone who manipulates you, talks behind your back, or judges your emotions. They are not your friend, and they don’t have the capability of empathy or emotional connection.
Heal from your unresolved trauma. Get therapy. If you do not, the pain will follow you for the rest of your life.
For the ladies, run from men who try to control you, are lazy, stupid, undisciplined, or mansplain things. They will ruin your life.
Immerse yourself in nature; you will realize how small you are and humble yourself.
Life is all about the simple things: morning coffee on the deck, a good run, playing with your dog. I wish I had learned this in my twenties.
Be kind in whatever you do. These days, this is rare and should not be.
Stress is temporary and a learned behavior. Unless you are a brain surgeon in surgery, nothing is that important.
Deadlines are man-made stressors. Remember that and act accordingly.
Humans have not yet learned to live with each other in peace, even in 2025. Accept that and keep striving for a better world.
You will be disappointed, crushed, gutted, have your heart broken, lose someone you love, experience loneliness, sadness, betrayal, and life will be unfair. All of these things shall pass. FEEL the pain and then move on. You can’t avoid it. This is the way life is.
Becoming a mother or father is a fulfilling, amazing experience, but it’s not for everyone. Do not believe you are missing out if you choose not to have children; ignore fools who believe this.
A simple smile with eye contact goes a long way in establishing a good relationship with anyone.
The young usually do not listen to the old; if only they would. Learn from those who lived before you.
Life is better when you know you are doing your best every day to do no harm. Choose a vegan lifestyle. It is best for yourself, the animals, and our planet.
See the world through the eyes of a child. Do not let life’s difficult experiences ruin the beauty to be enjoyed all around you.
Hobbies are good for your happiness and well-being. They are fun and bring us consistent joy. Find a hobby or two or three.
Take breaks from whatever you are doing. We are not meant to sit all day or stare at screens for hours. Take it from someone who grew up before screens were a thing; it’s important to walk away.
Don’t allow anyone to force you to do anything. Anything you do should always be your choice.
People who want to take away your freedom need to be faced head-on; they are operating with a different consciousness.
Money is a man-made construct. It is important to live, but don’t make acquiring it your only goal. You will fall flat and live a miserable existence.
People will not remember your accomplishments, your money, your success, your degrees, your stuff, or your standing in the community when you are on your deathbed. They will remember how you treated them. Let that sink in.
Be mindful of your thoughts. Believing you will succeed helps you succeed. If you believe you can’t, you can’t. If you believe you can, you can.
You will make mistakes – this is inevitable. Don’t shame yourself and wallow in self-pity. Some mistakes will be very costly, but you will be okay. Move on and make better choices next time.
And last but not least, give zero fucks. Always stand up for yourself. People will judge you no matter what you do.
BONUS. Okay, one more! IT GOES BY SO FAST. Life is warp speed. Don’t waste your time (like I did) wondering IF you should do something, or if you should go for it. JUST DO IT. Be brave. No one knows when their time is up. What is the worst that can happen, anyway?