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Here Are 30 Priceless Life Lessons From Women In Their 40s That Took A While To Learn
Let's admit, being young is quite tough. There's so much you still have to learn and it's usually a process of trial and error. Some choices you make, for some magical reason, end up being okay (or at times even really great), and some... well, sometimes you simply fail miserably. And that's totally fine. Even though it usually doesn't seem like it and you spend some time ruminating or even hating yourself for that one particular choice. But that's life, I guess.
And even though living = making some mistakes along the way, it's sometimes nice to get a few insights from people who've already been there and done that. Recently, a Twitter user GayatriiM started an interesting thread by asking all the women in their 40s to share life lessons that they've learned late in life. "Women in their 40s, what is one life lesson you learnt late in life?" she wrote in her tweet. Also, she answered her own question by saying this: "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 responsibilities you took over!"
Bored Panda invites you to look through some of the best life lessons these women have shared. And, of course, feel free to share your own in the comments!
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#3
Billie Templeton 4 years ago
I was today years old when somebody finally dropped this pearl of wisdom in my lap. Thank you!! So relevant!!
Many women have pointed out that it's important to be selfish in life. And that doesn't mean that you shouldn't care about other people—it simply means that you should learn to put yourself first. "Because no one else will," one user wrote. For a long time, women have been expected to be selfless, giving, and caring, and sadly, it's still ingrained in many of us to the point where we might even feel guilty doing things solely for ourselves. So yeah, I think we should all learn to be selfish. It's a good thing.
#5
M O'Connell 4 years ago
Not necessarily! I am very proud of my late grandmothers ridiculously heavy cookware.
Some also pointed out that it's never too late to change the direction of your life and drift away from things that no longer serve you. You're never too old for that. And life is simply too short to settle.
#7
Irina Deneva-Slav 4 years ago
The amount of time I've wasted on trying to explain myself is truly ridiculous. And I'm still learning, in my 40s. Tough habit to kick.
One of the most popular pieces of advice was the one telling women not to "save up luxuries to enjoy later." "Such an important lesson, Ma’am. I had anosmia during Covid19 infection and I thought, what if I am never able to smell my fave perfume ever again! We are one small incident away from changing course of life. Live it fully, now, the way you want to," someone replied to this advice.
#11
Joanne Hudson 4 years ago
Eliminates "frail" later in life. When working around the house, MAKE those 6 trips to put things away. Its exercise you wouldn't have otherwise.
#14
Joanne Hudson 4 years ago
Hardest lesson. I tell myself if I try to rush in, I am messing with their karma and they will still have to learn the lesson.
#15
Helen Haley 4 years ago
I really hate when people get upset that others aren't showing the 'proper' amount of gratitude. Either you want to help, or you don't. If you're doing it so others lick your boots, you're doing it for the wrong reasons.
#16
#19
Jaded Queen 4 years ago
Learn to live alone but not lonely. If u constantly seek people company/validation. Then something is completely wrong and defective inside of u. Know your reason and rectify that. People who can't live alone and in independence, deceive their very nature of existence. Which lets face it is like 80% of the population if not more
#21
Erdot 4 years ago
I'd like to add something, unpopular opinion here, but in my experience, denying yourself the small joys does NOT guarantee you the occurrence of greater happiness. I mean, if you decide not to buy those shoes you like today does not mean you'd find peace of mind or serenity or true love tomorrow. You might find yourself waiting for these your entire life and even lacking the momentary feeling of getting something you like on the short run. I mean, yeah, I do not advise you to become a compulsive shopper or eater or such, only to enjoy small things, too, without the constant expectation of something BIG to happen.
#24
El Dee 4 years ago
Don't 'pick up the slack' at work. Don't cut corners to make it all work and work on time. Do your thing, and only YOUR thing, don't be awkward about it if asked though, just don't do it voluntarily. Do the job the way it's supposed to be done. If you cut corners to make it happen quicker then your manager will turn a blind eye to get good stats but throw you under the bus when it all goes pear shaped..
#25
Astrid Nineor 4 years ago
Don't overdo it though, don't end up always thinking 'This isn't good enough'
#28
#29
SirPatTheCat 4 years ago
This one is a little bit circumstantial. Sometimes it's good to fight for things, sometimes it's not. In general I think she means don't get into unnecessary battles
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What do you think ?
Fixin'Ta 4 years ago
Excuse me, but 40 is NOT "late in life." I mean, for some people, yes, but in general "late in life" is 70s or 80s. Can we get over this idea that middle-age is somehow over the hill? You're just getting really started at 40. Yeesh.
Fixin'Ta 4 years ago
Also, my advice (I am over 40 by 17 years) is that it's okay to have negative emotions. It just means you're human. Allow yourself to feel them and name them, and if you need therapy to sort them out, that's okay. You have reasons for your feelings. (Obvs don't hurt other people or yourself because of them, but you can have them, it's okay.)
lenka 4 years ago
All the women who said self care, setting boundaries, saying no, prioritising self, being selfish, not self sacrificing - an overwhelming number of these responses have one theme in common - women still feel some kind of fundamental obligation to serve others, often to their own detriment.
meepmeep 4 years ago
Yes, it really seems that way. Is it innate or learned? Nature/nurture
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Fixin'Ta 4 years ago
Excuse me, but 40 is NOT "late in life." I mean, for some people, yes, but in general "late in life" is 70s or 80s. Can we get over this idea that middle-age is somehow over the hill? You're just getting really started at 40. Yeesh.
Fixin'Ta 4 years ago
Also, my advice (I am over 40 by 17 years) is that it's okay to have negative emotions. It just means you're human. Allow yourself to feel them and name them, and if you need therapy to sort them out, that's okay. You have reasons for your feelings. (Obvs don't hurt other people or yourself because of them, but you can have them, it's okay.)
lenka 4 years ago
All the women who said self care, setting boundaries, saying no, prioritising self, being selfish, not self sacrificing - an overwhelming number of these responses have one theme in common - women still feel some kind of fundamental obligation to serve others, often to their own detriment.
meepmeep 4 years ago
Yes, it really seems that way. Is it innate or learned? Nature/nurture
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