60 Brutal Life Lessons I Learned in the Last 60 Years of My Life

I can’t believe I’m already 62 years old. I’m not sure if I should be sad or happy I made it this far. There were certainly many times I should have died.

To say the last 62 years have been nothing short of an extreme roller coaster ride is an understatement.

I have not had an easy life. At all. I was raised in an unloving, abusive household. Throughout my adult years, I put myself through one abusive relationship after another.

I battled drug addictions, homelessness, bankruptcy (twice), abusive relationships, you name it, I went through it.

Yup. It’s been a rough ride.

But I write this now with a big smile on my face, happy and totally content in life. I faced all my battles and conquered them. Yay me!!

So, obviously, I didn’t start learning the life lessons immediately after my birth. I probably didn’t start learning most of these until I was in my 20s. So maybe this should say in the last 40 years of my life? Does it matter?

60 best life lessons i learned in 62 years of life

I learned a shit ton of stuff and actually applied some of the best life lessons I learned. Some lessons were hella tough, others were mindblowing.

Here are the 60 things I learned in 62 years of my life. In no particular order of importance.

1. Hurt people will hurt other people. Send them love.
2. You are in total control of your life, whether you think you are or not.
3. You carry a lot of stuff that doesn’t belong to you. Let it go.
4. Spider bites are worse than you can imagine.
5. Everyone is going through something you will never understand. Be kind.
6. Fear controls most of your life if you let it.
7. Learning new stuff over 60 is frustrating as f*ck.
8. Forgive everyone who hurt you so you can be free.
9. Family isn’t always blood, and it’s ok to let them go.
10. Don’t believe the anti-aging cream commercials. They are bullshit.
11. Patience obtains all things.
12. You aren’t ever stuck anywhere. You’re not a tree.
13. It’s hard to flush weed down a toilet in Mexico.
14. You show people how to love you. Read that again.
15. Don’t let your age stop you from doing anything, ever.
16. Moving to a new country is easier than you think.
17. Most of what you worry about won’t even matter in a year.
18. Being a cougar is super fun.
19. Food poisoning sucks, a lot!
20. It’s kinda hard to make new friends as an over-60 woman.
21. You’ve learned to stop putting up with people’s bullshit.
22. It’s ok to be weird, wacky and wonderful. Be yourself.
23. Not everyone is going to like you, and that’s ok.
24. It’s ok to use your voice and tell people what you really think and feel.
25. Scorpions are creepy, and getting stung by one hurts a lot!
26. Stress is a waste of time. Stop stressing over things you can’t control.
27. Hangovers are a helluva lot worse as you get older.
28. Don’t keep toxic people in your life. Ever.
29. Not everyone will support you on your way to success.
30. Hate doesn’t fix anything; love does.
31. There is no such thing as failure.
32. There is no such thing as luck.
33. There is no such thing as a coincidence.
34. You will believe everything your mind tells you. Tell it good things.
35. Take time to help others any chance you get.
36. Say no when you mean no.
37. Say yes to things you want to do or that are good for you.
38. People-pleasing is life-sucking.
39. Don’t judge anyone, ever. You’re not perfect.
40. Don’t gossip. It’s ugly and stupid.
41. If you are jealous of anything or anyone, you need to work on self-confidence.
42. YOU are #1. Not your kids, not your spouse. YOU. Take care of yourself first.
43. You can still get zits in your 60s.
44. Changing careers is easier than you think.
45. Learning a new language is really hard.
46. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. That’s how you learn.
47. Don’t worry about what people think about you. Most don’t even think highly of themselves. It’s none of your business anyway.
48. When you smile at a stranger, they usually smile back (and it makes their day better)
49. Only you think you’re a good singer when you’re singing karaoke.
50. Everything is temporary, the good and the bad. Even life.
51. Never set yourself on fire to keep others warm.
52. Arguing with a fool only proves there are two. 
53. Sugar causes inflammation. It’s poison.
54. It’s easier to quit smoking after 60. 
55. As you get older, people start getting on your nerves. 
56. I’ll colour my hair until the day I die. I tried going gray, and it caused mental health issues. 
57. Mustard isn’t so bad after all. 
58. Follow your heart, it knows the way. 
59. You’re never too old, and it’s never too late. 
60. Aging is super weird.

Now, of course, I’ve learned soooooooo much more than what is on this list.

I also learned how to start a website, build a freelance career and make money online.

I’ve learned how to drive a scooter and how to fight off bullies without physical violence.

I’ve learned how to completely change my life.

To be honest, I think this is the greatest accomplishment for me in my 60 — some years. Being able to completely reinvent my life in the way that I want it.

It doesn’t matter how old you are; you can do that, too.

If you aren’t happy in life, it’s up to you to change anything that isn’t working. No one will do that for you. It’s so important to understand that.

How bad do you want a new life? Ask yourself that question every day until you start taking steps to change it.

You can check out my new starting over guide here. 

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xo iva ox