“You Think You Have Time”: 30 Things To Take Seriously, As Shared By Older Netizens

Age before beauty is a pretty old saying, old enough to go ahead of beauty itself if you will, but it’s a bit of wisdom that is perhaps too often overlooked. The truth is, we have a lot we can learn from older folks if we actually sit down and listen.

Someone asked “Older people of Reddit: What ISN’T BS? What’s absolutely worth leaning into?” and aged netizens gave their best answers. So perhaps take at least a few notes, it might save you some pain down the road. Get comfortable as you scroll through, upvote your favorite suggestions, and comment your own ideas below.

This post may include affiliate links.

Regular exercise is hugely important for quality of life. The older you get the stronger the effect. Lack of exercise ages like nothing else.

SnooConfections6085 , Julia Larson Report

Final score:

66points

POST

keyboardtek 11 months ago

And swimming is the best! No impact on the knee joints. No unpleasant sweat. No overheating. Negates gravity for those with spine problems.

21points

View More Replies...

View more comments

You meet very few people in your life you *actually* really connect with. Make sure you keep in touch with them.

Embarrassed_Bar_1215 , Matt Barnard Report

Final score:

66points

POST

Starry starry night 11 months ago

I am calling my bestie now

6points

View more comments

The problem is...you think you have time.

Life is very short. When you're young and the days and years seem long, you think life will last forever. That is a trick. You cannot buy more time. Stop wasting it on c**p like being on your phone, arguing over piddly things, being hateful or angry. You're wasting your precious time, and none of that matters in the end.

Learn to let go of the BS and be grateful for your time.

PinkOutLoud , Martin Péchy Report

Final score:

57points

POST

Not-a-Clue (she/her) 11 months ago

"And then one day you find 10 years have gone behind you. No one told you when to run. You missed the starting gun" 🎶

14points

View More Replies...

View more comments

Stretching. The answer is abso-f*****g-lutly stretching... and water.

thomasque72 , Cliff Booth Report

Final score:

57points

POST

Alison M. 11 months ago

I'm guilty of not stretching. I have a 10 month old and all the bending and lifting takes a toll on you.

8points

View more comments

Education.

If you do a search for "education" all you ever hear is how lousy the system is. Who cares. Do whatever you can to educate yourself. It doesn't even matter whether you get good grades or not. Just learn stuff. Read books. Knowing how to do something is always better than not knowing anything about it. Even Latin and Trigonometry.

"Only the educated are free" --Epictetus

PaulsRedditUsername Report

Final score:

55points

POST

Michael Largey 11 months ago

I met a former student at a wedding, and he said to me "Hey, you know how often I use that trig stuff you taught me?" I knew he had not gone to college so I braced myself, I said "I don't know. How often?" "About every minute and a half", he replied. He was a tool and dye maker.

21points

View more comments

Management isn’t for everyone… know when to stop climbing the corporate ladder.

sixty_cycles , Jonathan Borba Report

Final score:

54points

POST

keyboardtek 11 months ago

The Peter Principle is when people get promoted to a job beyond their ability. Then they make everyone below them miserable.

13points

View More Replies...

View more comments

Staying active in retirement...both physically and socially. You retire and sit...you die.

GoHerd1984 , Vlada Karpovich Report

Final score:

53points

POST

keyboardtek 11 months ago

And the exercise is the key to pain reduction as it stimulates production of endorphins.

4points

View more comments

Just remember, if someone offers you a breath mint, take it!

bigb1084 , wirestock Report

Final score:

52points

POST

Kangaroo Ratz 11 months ago

because your breath stinks or just to be polite?

8points

View more comments

Avoid debt. Very few things are worth going into debt for.

dmbgreen , Towfiqu barbhuiya Report

Final score:

50points

POST

Jayjay 11 months ago

If you want to feed your children or elderly parents, sometimes you don't have a choice.

13points

View more comments

#10

Live below your means.

Princess_Jade1974 , La-Rel Easter Report

Final score:

50points

POST

Julius Zuke 11 months ago

This one is so important. Never had a new car until I was 43, never had a reliable car (Toyota!) until I was 59. Still live in the tiny rowhouse we bought when we were married four decades ago. Didn't care what other people had or thought. It all paid off big time. Now retired, we are debt free, come and go as we please, go to the gym, take trips on cruise ships and the senior citizens' tour buses, and enjoy everything produced by two local dinner theaters. Added bonus: less to clean out of the attic and basment. Stuff doesn't make you happy. Experiences and the memories they create are priceless!

23points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#11

The best day to plant a fruit tree was years ago, but the next best time to plant one is today.

dougramz , Alfo Medeiros Report

Final score:

47points

POST

R.A. Haley 11 months ago

Somebody planted an oak years ago at my new house. I had to pay to have the enormous thing cut down before it fell on the house.

0points

View more comments

#12

Kindness, understanding and empathy.

salamisawami , Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 Report

Final score:

45points

POST

Garthus Andicus 11 months ago

Some of these are really good. Especially this one.

7points

View more comments

#13

Learn how to be wrong. Understand that what you thought you knew yesterday May in fact be incorrect when presented with new facts, and that changing your position based on new facts is a sign of intelligence and maturity.

FluffusMaximus Report

Final score:

44points

POST

keyboardtek 11 months ago

That describes science. Science is self correcting. There are always other scientists trying either prove what one claims or disprove it. Religion, on the other hand, discourages pointing out its errors and nonsense.

4points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#14

Everyone is interesting. No matter who you are or what you do. Approach people that way. Be curious about the lives and trajectories and stories of other people.

Flatrock123 , RDNE Stock project Report

Final score:

42points

POST

Michael Braisher 11 months ago

But I read a Bored Panda last week about the miserable little cow bellyaching that old people have the nerve to talk to her children. Got some acclaim as I recall.

6points

View more comments

#15

Those boring things old people like? Going for a walk, reading a good book, cups of tea with friends, doing a bit of gardening?
Get into that.

MalevolentIsopod23 Report

Final score:

41points

POST

Julius Zuke 11 months ago

Cultivate friendships while you are young. It is mch harder to make true friends when you are older, especially if you are a man.

6points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#16

Not sure if it's been said already, but the only people who remember the extra overtime you worked, missed birthdays, or weekends aren't your company, coworkers or bosses. It's your family, and pets they remember you weren't there.

FatOldFox Report

Final score:

41points

POST

Nice Beast Ludo 11 months ago

So true. Your boss won't remember 3 days from now but your spouse or kids will be holding that grudge/hurt on for decades

4points

View more comments

#17

Taking care of your damn knees. Trust me on this.

BlackEagle0013 , Towfiqu barbhuiya Report

Final score:

40points

POST

Michael Largey 11 months ago

But if your doctor says you need knee replacements, get them. I've never known anyone who wasn't glad they did.

8points

View More Replies...

View more comments

See Also on Bored Panda

Dutch Swimmer Goes Viral For Super Revealing Trunks During 2024 Olympics: “Is This Legal?”

Thrill-Seeking Diver Jumps Down Extreme Waterslide, Ignoring The Strict Ban For Women

#18

A healthy diet and exercise because it is easier to stay in shape than it is to get in shape, keep learning because the world keeps changing, find an inexpensive hobby . Learn how money works, make and continue to refine a budget and live within your means, save money. I have never heard in all of my years on this planet someone say " I'm way too healthy", "I wish I didn't put all that money into diversified investments when I was young", or" I am too well informed and knowledgeable".

wageslave2022 , Mikhail Nilov Report

Final score:

36points

POST

Deborah B 11 months ago

But you do hear people say "I wish I hadn't obsessed so much about my diet, and just eaten the damn cake" "I wish I'd travelled more, and taken the kids to disney when they were young, and not been so worried about saving every penny." and "I wish I had done more extra curriculars/hobbies/sports/made more friends - I was so focussed on my grades that I missed out on a lot of fun and friendship." Everyone has regrets.

27points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#19

Flossing

LGHTHD , Sora Shimazaki Report

Final score:

34points

POST

Michelle Carlson 11 months ago

Yes! Nothing is as good as Original Equipment Manufacture. You can get implants but they're not as good as your own toofies.

5points

View more comments

#20

Look after your teeth.

astidad , Karolina Grabowska Report

Final score:

34points

POST

Pudgy Panda 11 months ago

Always be true to your teeth and they’ll never be false to you 😁

1point

View more comments

#21

Not every old person is dumb or senile

Paggierose , Streetwindy Report

Final score:

33points

POST

Jude Laskowski 11 months ago

Unfortunately, many employers these days think everyone over 40 is too old, even though they legally cannot discriminate based on age.

1point

View more comments

See Also on Bored Panda

Woman Put A Water Fountain With A Camera In Her Yard, Here Are 24 Photos Of Regular Visitors (New Pics)

“Ma’am I Live Here”: Woman Refuses To Back Out Of Driveway, Learns A Lesson The Hard Way

#22

Investing for retirement. Start early even if you think you can’t afford to

John_Fx Report

Final score:

33points

POST

One legged Steve 11 months ago

But, poverty.

0points

View more comments

#23

Work smarter not harder.

Call your grandma

Be the person your dog thinks you are.

Disastrous-Aspect569 , Tima Miroshnichenko Report

Final score:

31points

POST

keyboardtek 11 months ago

The final truth may be that the relationship with your dog is the best you ever have.

6points

View more comments

#24

Goddamn it, wear earplugs at loud events, and be aware of your headphone volume. Hearing aids are expensive, and insurance does not cover them.

Toasterband , Mark Paton Report

Final score:

31points

POST

Not-a-Clue (she/her) 11 months ago

Hearing aids are free in the UK, but I'd still prefer my own hearing back, and no tinnitus. All those loud gigs in my teens & twenties have caught up now.

9points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#25

The effort that you make to better yourself and your life between the ages of 18 and 25 will be reflected in the quality of your life after you turn 40.

OkieBobbie , cottonbro studio Report

Final score:

28points

POST

Admiralu 11 months ago

No it won't, not for everyone.

0points

View more comments

#26

Travel, one day you will reflect on your life experiences and remember the highs and lows! I can guarantee you that travelling, experiencing different cultures, food and sights will be primarily your highs and a life worth lived!

Oh and wear sunscreen!

Gent2022 , Dominika Roseclay Report

Final score:

26points

POST

Julius Zuke 11 months ago

Traveling makes you realize that there are more ways to live than what you are used to, especially if you live in a highly commercialized society.

8points

View more comments

See Also on Bored Panda

50 Of The Most Incredible Shots That Were Submitted To The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

French Diver’s “Jewels” In Tight Swimming Trunks Become Talk Of The Town At Olympics

#27

Taking care of your skin!

psyche-ataraxia , KoolShooters Report

Final score:

23points

POST

Temporary Dork 11 months ago

SUNSCREEN

8points

View more comments

#28

Work to live, dont live to work.

PsychologicalBid9943 Report

Final score:

22points

POST

Nice Beast Ludo 11 months ago

Kind of difficult nowadays... working to live IS living to work

8points

View more comments

#29

Therapy. We’re all carrying around a ton of baggage and so many of us are trying to silently slog through life with it. Therapy literally saved my life. It will be a permanent fixture in my life until I’m in the dirt. The only thing I regret about it is that I didn’t start earlier.

StuffToday , SHVETS production Report

Final score:

20points

POST

Marley Nachi 11 months ago

Therapy is like going to the mechanic. It's better to do it regularly as a 'check up' than wait until you have a break down and have big problems.

9points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#30

Work for your self even if you are employed by someone else. Do stuff because it needs needs done not because someone told

linux_user_13 , Avi Richards Report

Final score:

18points

POST

Note: this post originally had 41 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.

See Also on Bored Panda

Woman Moves Out Of Parents' Home After They Asked Her To Give Her Space To Brother, They Freak Out

Mom Leaves $250k Inheritance To Son, Throws A Fit When Daughter Stops Looking After Her

What do you think ?

PolymathNecromancer 11 months ago (edited)

The problem with these "suggestions" - ALL of them - is that they assume one has the resources already (could be tangible *or* intangible) to incorporate them :-(

Exactly. Still bringing up that live within your means, budget and invest young c**p. You need a living wage which most don't make.

2points

Load More Replies...

Flora Porter 11 months ago

F late 50s here: not everyone has the same symptoms, but the menopause could mean your energy drops, your brain won't multitask, your BS tolerance disappears and your body doesn't work as well as it used to, so from 18 to 50 work as hard and save as much as you can in case you want to change direction for the second half of your adult life. That's the big thing I'd do differently if I could go back. Basically aim to be financially secure at 50 so you're free to choose.

Steve Hall 11 months ago

Stop worshiping money, it is not as important as you have been led to believe.

Load More Comments

“You Think You Have Time”: 30 Things To Take Seriously, As Shared By Older Netizens

Games

Justin Sandberg

Justin Sandberg

Kotryna Br

Kotryna Br

Word Search

WordroW

Jigsaw

Crossword

Sudoku

Picdoku

Killer Sudoku

Kriss Kross

Word Flower