What I Know For Sure, Maybe: Life After 50

Last Updated on March 10, 2022 by Stacy Averette

When I was younger I thought I knew it all. I don’t mean that I was a know-it-all in a rude sort of way (though I probably was a few times). What I mean is that I had life pretty well figured out, or so I thought. Lord have mercy!

Fast forward a few decades. I think I’ve finally learned a few things, for sure, maybe.

Today I’m happily anticipating celebrating another birthday this week. Life after 50 is good and I’m thrilled to be turning 56! In honor of another year, I thought it would be fun to share What I Know For Sure, Maybe: Life After 50.

Twenty-two things in 2022

1. Life is shorter than I thought it would be. How am I 56?! Enjoy your life, your actual life as it is right now. Stop waiting for everything to be perfect because it goes by fast.
2.  Life is longer than I thought it would be. Chill out! You don’t have to have it all figured out right now. Trust that God is in control and things will happen when and how they’re supposed to happen.
3. Everything is small stuff compared to something. Perspective is one of the keys to happiness.
4. Never say never.
5. People don’t care as much as you think they do. Some of the people you’re trying to please or impress are so focused on their own life that they don’t have the time or energy to care about what you’re doing.
6. People care more than you think they do. The journey through life can feel awfully lonely at times and the Devil loves to whisper: No one really cares. But some people really do care and they care more deeply and unselfishly than you’ll ever know.
7. You don’t have to prove anything to anyone. You might want to prove something (we all do from time to time) but you don’t have to.
8. Having fun and enjoying life is not as complicated or expensive as you think.
9. Don’t give your heart to someone who doesn’t see you as a work of art. (Also, if you don’t see yourself as a work of art, you won’t appreciate the people who do.)
10. Good habits and routines are the bones of a happy, productive life.
11. Aging is inevitable. Getting old is optional. Chronologically, I am 56 years old. But I am also five years old and twelve and twenty-two. I am all the ages I have ever been. That’s what makes me, me, at the age I am now.
12. Time to “do nothing” is important. “Doing nothing” is not wasted time. Creating margin (intentional empty space in my day) is vital to my mental and emotional health.
13. “Knowing your purpose” is over-rated. Once I embraced that my highest calling (purpose) is simply to know God and enjoy him forever I realized there are a million ways to do that right where I am with what I have! I’m choosing to live, love, and serve right where God has placed me.
14. “It is better to look good than feel good” is a lie. (Fernando Lamas/Billy Crystal) It is not better to look good than to feel good. Work on feeling good and looking good will take care of itself. (What you think about will affect how you feel!)
15. Life is too short (and too long) to wear uncomfortable shoes. Buy a beautiful dress at the thrift store and save your money for comfortable shoes!
16. People who always want an explanation (defense) of personal decisions will usually never be satisfied with any explanation. As Mary Poppins said, “I never explain anything.” (unless I want to)
17. Most of my life has not gone as I planned. It’s been for the best in many ways, but honestly, I’m also a little disappointed about a few things. Whatever. I still choose to trust God with it all.
18. I regret not learning to speak a language other than English—Spanish, French, Italian. (It’s not too late. I mean, I’m only fifty-six after all!)
19. Reading through the Bible has profoundly affected my life.
20. A good cry doesn’t mean I don’t trust God. Life is hard and I’m human.
21. I wish younger me knew what I know now but that’s not how it works. Growth is a process.
22. Happiness is a choice.

Dear friend, whatever age you are right now you’ve already learned so much! And just think of all the things you still have left to learn. Isn’t that exciting!

So tell me: What resonated with you from this list? What do you know for sure? What’s a regret you have that you’re willing to share?

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