Getting older should mean getting wiser, and for me, the most valuable forms of wisdom that come with age are being more confident in yourself, taking care of your body and home, and loving yourself and others just the way you (and they) are!
All of those forms of wisdom are well represented in the list I’ve put together to share to day. It’s a list of fifteen things that I think every woman should know by the time she turns fifty. (And if you’re over fifty and there are things on this list you haven’t conquered yet, there’s no time like the present!)
15 Things Every Woman Should Know How to Do by 50
1. Say “No” Without Feeling Guilty
This is number one for a reason! If you always prioritize other people’s needs over yours, your productivity will suffer and resentment will mount.
2. Laugh at Yourself
Laughter is the best medicine, and learning to laugh at yourself is a surprisingly effective way to deal with negative circumstances. Studies have shown that being able to laugh at yourself is linked to better mental health.
3. Whip Up a Signature Dish
Having a recipe that you can whip up for get-togethers or family dinners is valuable skill for any homemaker. And keep in mind that your “signature dish” doesn’t have to be fancy, it just has to be yours!
4. Take Yourself out to Dinner or a Movie
Going out alone means having time to enjoy yourself and do exactly what you want (or see the movie you really want to see) without feeling like you need to defer to what others want. Give it a try—it can be quite freeing!
5. Look Good in Photos
It’s time to stop shying away from the camera! There are plenty of resources online that are full of great tips about flattering poses and positions that can help you look and feel your best in every shot.
6. Defend Yourself
You don’t have to be a black belt to defend yourself—there are many simple moves that can help you get away from an attacker. Look for a self-defense class near you, or look up self-defense moves online (and don’t forget to practice!) Here’s a resource to get you started.
7. Operate Your TV
Easier said than done? Maybe, but it’s empowering to do this yourself. Dig out that manual, search online, call the technical support line, or whatever you need to do to figure it out. You’ll be glad you did!
8. Light a Grill and Cook on It
Don’t leave all the fun to the men! You can cook an incredible meal on the grill with no pans to scrub, and cooking on the grill isn’t difficult once you master the basics.
9. Find a Bra That Fits Correctly
If you’ve never had an expert bra fitting, you may be in for a shock. Most women are wearing the wrong size — I was too! Wearing the wrong size bra can make it hard to look or feel your best, so it’s worth taking the time to get expert advice.
10. Examine Your Own Breasts
At any age, self breast exams can save your life. According to the 2003 National Health Interview Survey, 57% of breast cancer survivors found their own cancer. If you don’t already do so, start examining your breasts every month.
11. Sew (at Least a Little!)
Sewing is practical and a great way to save money — and mending things makes you appreciate them more. Knowing how to sew on a button and do up a hem can get you through any number of “wardrobe malfunctions”.
12. Graciously Accept a Compliment
A smile and a sincere “thank you” when someone gives you a compliment can make their day. Instead of shying away, accept compliments and bask in your achievements.
More Ideas You'll Love
13. Strategize for Retirement
Make sure you understand your financial future — get involved, ask questions. Your bank or brokerage firm has a lot of resources you can use.
14. Walk Away From a Bad Situation or Relationship
This is a tough one, but so important. You are in control of your life, and you set the terms for what is allowed and acceptable. There comes a time when giving someone or some situation the benefit of the doubt starts to do more harm than good, and that’s when it’s time to walk away.
15. Exercise in a Way You Don’t Hate
Exercise doesn’t have to be all about losing weight. Regular exercise can help you sleep better, improve your mental health, and help you get stronger and live longer. You don’t have to turn into a fitness buff overnight, but you should at least have an exercise routine that you can and do stick to.
What would you add to this list?
This is an important empowerment list. I’m well past 50 and appreciated the refresher on a few of them. Thanks Jillee!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I would add the following. By the time a person is 50, if you still have parents alive, consider yourself lucky. Other than something catastrophic, you should have the life skills that enable you to be in a place that is stable and sustainable. Phone calls and visits to your parents should be to inquire about them and their well being not to ask for help out of your own preventable crisis. Writing for a friend.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.#14 is the most important!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.We need to prioritize our mental health and safety.
We are not someone else’s punching bag!
I absolutely agree Alan! :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hello to every one, as I am truly keen of reading this weblog’s post to be updated regularly.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It carries fastidious data.
Lord have mercy! One thing everybody needs to learn is how to not take everything so seriously!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks for finally writing about >50 Things Every
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Woman Should Know How To Do By 50One Good Thing by
Jillee | One Good Thing by Jillee <Loved it!
LMAO !! you guys are hillarious to take this fun list so seriously!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.The anonymity of the internet/comments sections have blatantly reduced most of you to blabbering idiots. Some enjoyed the list and others did not. If you were offended…guess what? The world does not nor will it ever revolve around you.
The world is inherently good! People and the negativity they spew each time they speak will always be around but the rest of us are shaking our heads in dismay at you.
Jillee has a great blog!!! She obviously thought we would get a kick out of this list. This is almost like the Aspartame post a few months ago! Wicked trolls get off your computers! See this as an opportunity to appreciate how diverse you are from those that match this list.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Well said!…well except for calling people trolls; But that was funny, so it works. In the words of William Shakespeare in “The Taming of the Shrew” –
“Why, sir, I trust I may have leave to speak;
Please log in or create a free account to comment.And speak I will; I am no child, no babe:
Your betters have endured me say my mind,
And if you cannot, best you stop your ears.
My tongue will tell the anger of my heart,
Or else my heart concealing it will break,
And rather than it shall, I will be free
Even to the uttermost, as I please, in words.”
Hi Jillee! I really enjoyed the list. Although there are a lot of negative comments on here, I hope you do not take them to heart. I believe that it is important for a woman to know what her strengths and weaknesses are and what things she can still learn. I know this was not made to be sexist, but more for the women reading it. I am 23 and I have accomplished all but 2-3 of these things, and I think that is because of learning. I shared this blog with my grandma, who is 72, and her comment was “that about right”. She thought it was interesting, and I think that she is going to start reading your blog from her iPad! :) My father always taught us new things, which made me into the adult that I am today. I think that this list is a great way to either reflect or to acknowledge the achievements that you have made throughout your life. I enjoy reading your blog everyday! Keep it up! :)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.<—–cracking up at all the cattiness in the comments! That is why I only have friends who don't judge, have gumption, and would love me for me no matter what, make-up or no…you GO Jillee! Way to get them riled up! Got them talking about being self sufficient!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.THIS IS NOT JILLEE’S LIST! WOW!!! It’s just for fun! You people are unbelievable!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I think that most of us can do many things on the list, but few of us can do them all. My finances do not stretch to foreign travel, but do allow for the back roads and byways of my country. There are things on the list that do not interest me and things I will give a try. I would say that to figure out what you are good at and to nurture your passions is important at any age. Take a few risks, go out on a limb for friends and family and try new things…you may surprise yourself. Most of all, learn to be comfortable in you own skin and be a blessing to those around you. And maybe learning to change a tire would be one good thing for me to learn.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.62 and still learning…
I like the list. I don’t live in the big city or in the country(anymore) but I have done 75% of these things already at the age of 44. I don’t think it has anything to do with being a girly girl at all. I wear very little makeup and I don’t carry a compact in my purse. I think some of you are taking this list a little too serious. I do my own taxes, change a flat tire, mow my own grass, planted a garden, opened a champaign bottle, put make up on without a mirror and I fix the run in my hose with clear nail polish. I can’t wait to hail for a taxi in a big city or tour a foreign country!!! To me this is a good bucket list for women. I taught 2 boys how to cook, do laundry and use coupons at the grocery store.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Jillie, you’re the best. Turn off the comments and have a nice day!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I can’t believe people are getting so upset about this list!!! I’m in my 20’s and I in no way find this list sexist or outdated. What’s wrong with you people? I think the point of this was to encourage women to be more independent. Why wasn’t it geared toward men, too? Probably because the vast majority of people who read this blog are women. Jillee asked for people to give their own suggestions, and instead it seems like everyone just decided to whine and complain. My guess is the people complaining are “offended” because after reading this list they realized how little they could do, and instead of being inspired to broaden their horizons, they decided to cry about it. Seriously! I can’t believe some of the comments I’m reading. People getting hateful because their family doesn’t eat turkey, they don’t wear a bra, or wear makeup. I think some of you guys owe Jillee an apology for your down-right rude and insulting comments. It’s not her fault you woke up on the wrong side of the bed looking for something to complain about.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.And by the way, I make my own laundry detergent and other cleaning materials, I quilt, I sew, I’m a stay at home mom to two girls under the age of 2, but I’ve still travelled internationally on many occasions, hailed a cab, mow the lawn, carve a turkey, and many of the other things on this list. Shame on the commenter who implied that because we read Jillees blog that we don’t wear bras or makeup.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This list is amusing. So many of these are unnecessary and others silly and others very valuable. Why does anyone need to put on makeup without a mirror? Compacts have mirrors! Why travel if you don’t like to? Hail cabs if you live in the ‘burbs and drive everywhere? Made me laugh tho.
I’d add read a map, even with GPS this is a good skill to have many women lack. And plunging a toilet is good.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.John Nichols– REALLY?! You think this post is NOT what Jillie is about!? Sir, this is Jillie’s list of the things she wanted to be able to do when (or before) she turned 50. She recently had that milestone birthday. She felt she would like to share HER list with her blog – her friends, her fans, her followers. Why do you presume to tell her what she is about?
Jillie – I personally like your list. Some items match my list and some items are not for me.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Please keep writing and being yourself. I will keep reading.
This is not Jillee’s list! It’s copied from the Huffington Post!!!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I will NEVER know what direction I am facing. LOL.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Mow your lawn – never have and never will, I have my hubby and two boys to fall back on for this one.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hail a cab- never had to do this one but I have called for one.
My signature dish is spagetti and that will never change.
Fix a tire- this has been on my list for some time now.
Open a bottle of champagne- I don’t drink chanpagne.
Jump a car battery- I have helped with this but never completely on my own.
Everything else I can check off !! Not bad!!
Lighten up Ladies!! Don’t take it all so seriously! My gosh!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Agree!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’m sitting here, once again, in shock and awe at the self-righteous comments made by some of the posters here. Seriously, People?? Do you have nothing better to do with your time than bash someone for their FREE information they’re giving?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Did she say ANYTHING about ‘if you don’t do this, you’re going to be a failure in life’?? NO! Honestly, get over yourselves! If you don’t like it, don’t read it, and move on with your all-knowing lives.
The information, whether accurate or opinion, is FREE and she’s just as entitled to say it as anyone else on the net. Trashing her for her post doesn’t make YOU look smarter. In fact, it has just the opposite effect. Be kind, or be gone. Some people’s children! Grow up already. SMH…
Jillee – if you felt attacked by these people, please know that there are others, like me, who are standing by you and supporting you. You’re a great lady that I would love to meet in person some day, and I really respect your opinions – whether I always agree with them or not.
I’m in shock and awe that you read all 230 comments! ;)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Honestly, I didn’t read ALL of them. Just enough to know that there are a LOT of overly-critical people attacking her
I know that this may sound horrible–but by 50 every woman must know how to deal with loss–either a parent, spouse , friend etc. and also how to comfort a friend during this horrible time. By 50 I had lost both parents and my husband and I was so grateful for my friends who–really talked with me–no “BS-y” small talk.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.