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Senior Resources » 30 Life Tips from a Boomer

30 Life Tips from a Boomer

Oscar Wilde once said, “With age comes wisdom.” Personally, I’ve found that to be true. Here are 30 tips and tricks that might just make your life easier.

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Robert’s Tips

1. Keep things simple.

We all have the tendency to try and keep up with the Joneses. Everyone wants the latest iPhone, the newest car, a top of the line mower to replace the one they bought last year. While there’s nothing wrong with buying new toys, I also believe there’s beauty in simplicity. When was the last time you really lived in the moment? Or decluttered your living space? Learn how to live in the moment and be grateful for what you have. A simplified life is a beautiful life.

2. Don’t borrow money.

There’s an I Love Lucy episode called “Never Do Business with Friends.” As the title implies, Lucy and Ricky learn a lesson when a business transaction with Fred and Ethel goes sour. I think it’s a good lesson for us all!

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3. Don’t gossip.

It’s been said that money is the root of all evil, but I’d say gossip has done a lot more harm. Your mother might’ve told you that if you don’t have anything nice to say, you shouldn’t say it all. It’s a simple but important truth! No good can come from gossip, so just don’t participate.

4. Don’t lie.

Much like gossip, lying destroys trust. There’s never a good reason to lie. Even so-called white lies can cause a world of hurt. The best way to avoid hurting somebody’s feelings? Make it your policy to always tell the truth. You’ll be glad you did.

5. Do what you are supposed to do.

It sounds self-explanatory, but it’s sometimes easier said than done! But if you want to be known as a man or woman of your word, make sure you always follow through on your commitments. Keep your promises.

Words of wisdom.

6. Show up on time, maybe a little early.

Oh, boy. This one can be tough. Time is a precious resource, and it seems we never have enough of it! But if you’re expected to be somewhere at a certain time, make sure you arrive at that time.

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Related: Passion for an Active Life

7. Give the other party more than they expected.

Ebenezer Scrooge may be a fictional character, but he had a very human struggle—greed. Greed can make us cling to our wallets and hoard our possessions like Gollum from Lord of the Rings. But trust this Boomer—there’s nothing more satisfying than giving without expecting anything in return.

8. Learn a skill or get an education.

Back in my day, a lot of people graduated from high school and went straight into the work force. As a result, there are a lot of older adults out there without college degrees. The good news is, it’s not too late for you! Many colleges today boast programs for older adults looking to make up for lost time. Don’t ever let your age hold you back from getting a degree or learning a new skill.

9. Go to bed on time and get your sleep.

I’ll be the first to admit it: sometimes, I don’t always get in my eight hours. In fact, my sleep schedule can be downright wonky! But studies show that a good sleep schedule doesn’t just mean you’ll wake up feeling refreshed; it can also improve your health. That’s right: it can lower the risk of developing health problems like diabetes and heart disease!

10. Don’t worry about tomorrow or yesterday; live in the present.

Let’s face it—we all have regrets. There are things we’d go back and change if we could. Whether it’s a failed relationship or a career misstep or a secret we want to take to the grave, everyone has a burden. But here’s the thing. Nothing we do or say can change the past. Conversely, no amount of worrying can change the future! So, what’s the answer? Live more fully in the moment!

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Ann’s Tips to Make Life Easier

11. Laugh.

Not only does laughter feel good, but humor has the ability to heal. In fact, studies show that laughter can even boost our immune systems and prevent heart disease! Whoever coined the phrase “Laughter is the best medicine” was right on the money!

12. Love yourself.

Self-care is important. No one should go around hating themselves. Instead, you should love yourself, just as you are! Of course, that doesn’t mean you should close yourself off to self-improvement. Also be willing to change negatives that hold you back from enjoying life.

13. Be spontaneous!

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my years on this Earth, it’s that no good comes from watching the clock all the time. It always moves at the same pace. Remember when you were a kid, and time had no meaning? You could run around and play for hours, heedless of ticking clocks. Let your inner child fly!

14. Learn to trust yourself.

You may not always be right, but you can grow from your own mistakes. Plus, as Robert pointed out, age comes with wisdom! The older you get, the more you can trust your gut feeling. Nine times out of ten, it knows best.

15. Be forgiving.

Trust me when I say that anger and grudges serve no purpose to your well-being. As a matter of fact, it’s been proven that holding grudges may exacerbate mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression (according to Heathline). The best thing to do? Let go. Stop holding onto anger and hurt feelings.

16. Accept change.

There are a lot of stereotypes swimming around about older adults being set in their ways. Well, sometimes, this is true! A lot of us have the tendency to view change as a bad thing, but change can also be good! Embracing change can be the key to personal growth.

17.Replace fear with faith.

Having faith can be hard. Placing your trust in something you can’t see can sometimes feel impossible. But faith is always stronger than fear. Most of the time, fear shrinks as you embrace faith.

18. Accept mistakes as stepping stones in life instead of defeat.

Like Robert said, we’ve all made mistakes. Everyone has parts of their past they’d prefer to stay buried. Maybe it’s a shag haircut that looked great on Farrah Fawcett but not you. Maybe it’s unkind words spoken in the heat of the moment. Mistakes can range from something simple to something life-changing. And while we can’t take back mistakes, we can learn from them and even use them as motivation to do better!

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19.Reward yourself daily.

In the words of L’Oréal Paris: you are worth it. Make room for rest and relaxation. Take a spa day. Put aside a little money for self-care. It’s important to your well-being.

20. Admit when you are wrong.

I know, I know. This one can be tough. Nobody likes to admit when they’re wrong. But even if it stings a little in the moment, you’ll feel so much better later!

21. Know your limitations.

We’ve all had dreams of becoming an astronaut, ballet dancer, or famous actor. And while ambitions are important, everyone has different strengths and weaknesses. Doing is good, but as the old saying goes, don’t bite off more than you can chew!

22. Stand up for yourself.

There are times when we should keep the peace, and times when we should defend ourselves. If you don’t like the way somebody is treating you, don’t be afraid to tell them! Doormats may look cute on our front porch, but nobody should aspire to be one!

23. Rejoice in all things good!

Sing a song, hum a tune, dance a jig, or clap your hands! Whatever makes your heart happy! Life is too short not to celebrate every moment.

24. Practice your listening skills.

Talking is good, but so is listening. Trust me when I say it’s amazing what you can learn from others. Everyone brings a little something different to the table.

25. Set priorities but take time to be free.

Schedules are great, but make sure you don’t tether yourself to one. Life is unpredictable, so always be prepared to roll with the punches. Sometimes, you just have to learn to go with the flow.

26. Stop trying to control everything.

It’s tiring. Ask yourself this question, “How important is it? Do I really have that much time in life to waste?”

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27. Allows other to help you when you need help.

It’s not easy admitting when you need help. A lot of us Boomers don’t want to let our kids or family help us with anything. We want them to think we’ve got it all under control. There’s no shame in admitting when you need a helping hand. Try it sometime. You might be surprised by how good it makes you feel!

Related: Retirement Activities: Enjoying Your Deck

28. Practice humility.

No one is more than or less than. We’re all human, and nobody’s perfect.

29. Try not to take things personally.

After all, it may not even be about you! Allow others to learn from their mistakes just as you have. Rise above in your thinking.

30. Use love in everything that you do.

Love is a powerful motivator. It can give us grace and understanding in situations that might be confusing or complex. Without love, there would be no forgiveness. Imagine a world where people didn’t forgive each other! While it can be easy to turn to hate, always try and do everything in love.

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Originally published October 09, 2023

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