The longer we live, the more we learn. The more we learn, the more we wish we’d known back when we hadn’t lived very long yet. It’s inevitable, it’s a part of life. You only get good at a game by playing it, and if you’re kind, you’ll help some newbies find their way as well. There was plenty of such life advice flowing from one particular Twitter thread kicked off by user @GayatriiM, who wrote:
Women in their 40s, what is one life lesson you learnt late in life?
I -learnt that sacrifices you make for others are overrated. At the end of the day, you’ll be held responsible for the choices you made esp. by those whose share of responsbilities you took over!
Over to you!
— Gee (@GayatriiM) August 18, 2020
There are endless replies, and a lot of common themes. Here are some of our favorites.
15. “Treat the other as just a human”
We cannot expect perfection.
So true Appy. Human by nature is flawed. Why people just others, ignoring flaws of their own..
— Gee (@GayatriiM) August 19, 2020
14. “Boundaries are super important”
You can’t be all things to all people.
Absolutely! Total devotion is a crappy concept.
— Gee (@GayatriiM) August 19, 2020
13. “What angers you controls you”
Don’t hand over the reigns.
Very important realisation that is, Priya.
— Gee (@GayatriiM) August 19, 2020
12. “Keep learning all the time”
You’re never going to know it all.
Constant Learning keeps the mind agile, esp. during times when your mind & body is fighting change of harmones. Value your opinions- that too, is so important. Also, not to over care, that can be stifling at times, esp. for non-givers.
— Gee (@GayatriiM) August 19, 2020
11. “Give importance to self happiness”
You’re only one person.
Absolutely. Also, let people know how they made you feel, bereft of emotions, rationally. Let people do things to make you happy, show gratitude to those who do. Accept gratitude with grace. Accept help.
— Gee (@GayatriiM) August 19, 2020
10. “Indulge yourself”
You’ve only got this one life to live.
Most essential. Another important thing is to have your circle of trust, people with no transactional relationship or day-to-day exchanges but people with common interests. We all need friends to live through later years of life.
— Gee (@GayatriiM) August 19, 2020
9. “Choose your battles wisely”
Otherwise you might get drained.
So important. Also lose some battles to win the war. the war to keep yourself above the rest.
— Gee (@GayatriiM) August 19, 2020
8. “If you are kind to yourself…”
A glass can only spill what it contains.
Be kind to yourself. the most beautiful relationship one has with their own self. And you are a beautiful person Deepika, I am amazed you said close to 60, when I met you, never took you for a day above 40 🙂
— Gee (@GayatriiM) August 19, 2020
7. “If you are happy…”
Remember what you can and can’t control.
Right. If you are happy, you can take care of others around you better.
— Gee (@GayatriiM) August 19, 2020
6. “Relations change”
Nothing is set in stone, that doesn’t mean these things aren’t meaningful.
Any relationship is one argument/dispute/conflict of interest away from calling it quits. Even Friendships come with an expiry date.but the good thing is – we can’t chose our relatives & neighbours but there is always room for a new friend in life.
— Gee (@GayatriiM) August 19, 2020
5. “Build your tribe”
You can be civil without being close.
An important lesson in life. Build your tribe carefully. Don’t let everyone in your inner circle.
— Gee (@GayatriiM) August 19, 2020
4. “Say no sometimes”
If you do everything, that will be expected forever.
Very important. Esp. Living in large families and in work set up. Self preserve.
— Gee (@GayatriiM) August 19, 2020
3. “Live in NOW”
The past is the past.
Such important lessons of life, Sangeet.
— Gee (@GayatriiM) August 19, 2020
2. “Be the fulcrum”
We are, at the end of the day, very simple machines.
The Be All, End All. be the axis world revolves around.
— Gee (@GayatriiM) August 19, 2020
1. “Pain is overrated”
You’re not here to suffer for someone else.
Do not let anyone use you ever. Do things consciously.
— Gee (@GayatriiM) August 19, 2020
I know these were written specifically for people in demographics I don’t fit, but still, SO much feels universal. Be good to each other, but also be good to yourself.
What piece of advice would you like to pass along?
Tell us in the comments.