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.
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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?
one last thing – my actual positive observation is that we live is a great big world and people have many different experiences so it would be IMPOSSIBLE to come up with 50 things that fit for everybody…and I think it’s beautiful that we are diverse – let’s celebrate it by adding to the list, not bashing Jillee for not having the PERFECT list!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Oh gawd, people! If you don’t like it, don’t comment.
Does everything have to be about YOU???
Are you really THAT important that you can’t read something that isn’t about you and not flip your ****??
Jillee writes a really fun blog, is open about her life and is willing to take risks. You read one post that you don’t like because it doesn’t fit your particular life situation and you go HATER on her.
What kind of person are you?
When you read a blog regularly, you start to feel a fondness for the blogger. What kind of “friend” are you that you would go ape sh*t because you don’t wear make up and this post mentioned make?
You don’t live in the city so you won’t hail a taxi.
You don’t ______ so you don’t need to ______.
Of course, what you do is SOOOO much better!
Gawd, get over yourself! You’re not that special or that interesting.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.wowowowowow!
Who knew so much discord could come from something so lighthearted!
I refuse to spend all the time reading through all these comments, life is too short. – too many that I see are negative and seem to have the expectation that Jillee is posting some sort of LAW! Gee Whiz! I’m shocked at the narrow mindedness (I shouldn’t be – I’m 52!) Have I done everything on there? I dunno and I’m not worried about it. Jillee made this up! This is a blog, people, she is not Moses coming down from Sinai with new commandments. It’s interesting to see people’s natural personalities come out. Those who would pick things apart to criticize hop right on in here and do so. Why!? I just don’t get it. Don’t you come on here to get good information, have a bit of down time to enjoy the banter and then move on? That people would go on and on about what’s wrong with this list is baffling to me. Many others here also have taken the time to address these gloomy gloria’s and bless them, but I’m sure your well meaning words fall on deaf ears. Anyone who would take the time to criticize this list surely doesn’t have enough objectivity to even see the err of their ways.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I like a lot of your post but the list of 50 is not one of them. Very 29 years old, at 50 we realize a lot of that stuff is nonsense.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.As a pastor my husband has had to help too many widows figure out the banking, how, when and where to pay bills and keep a budget. The panic that has hit these women when the bills start flying in is unnecessary. Keep a binder with banking information, passwords, insurance info and companies you typically send bills to and how much you pay. It will help when things are tough.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I think a lot of these are indications that you really need to broaden your horizons and step outside of your comfort zone. I recently decided to “put my Big Girl Pants On” and make some long overdue decisions. I find I am having to reaffirm my self-worth several times a day in the past couple of weeks. I know there are “sisters” out there going through the same thing. Pray for strength and ask for help! Thanks, Jillee – I love your daily emails. It’s like getting a Hello from an old friend.!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I thought the list was great and love the additions. I think Jillie was looking to start a conversation and probably got more than she bargained for!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Looks like you have 50 blog posts for us Jillee! At 40, I see I have a LOT to learn in the next 10 years!!! I realized after my divorce three years ago, I have never even driven more than two hours away from my home, which led to a near panic attack driving through Kansas City. Ridiculous I know.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’m 62 and live out in the “boonies” and in Nebraska, of all places. I love my life, for the most part and love Jillees blog. I don’t have time to read it all the time but when I do, I usually learn something new. I’m surprised at all the feathers this blog ruffled, again not taking time to read ALL of the comments. I’m thinking if I had to come up with something new and different everyday, I’d eventually run out of topics and ideas. I say, read the blog; if it applies, fine. If not, skip over it. Jillee blogs a lot about gluten-free recipes, etc. We have no one in our family for that need. So those blogs, I naturally choose not to read. Relax, appreciate Jillee’s efforts and go and enjoy the sunrise or make your family some muffins for breakfast before your day starts, etc. etc. etc.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Quality articles or reviews is the important to invite
Please log in or create a free account to comment.the people to visit the site, that’s what this site is providing.
Oh, and I lived in New York for 7 years so let me just say you can all hail a taxi.
1. Stand out in the street facing the oncoming traffic going in the same direction you want to go (just not so far as to get hit by the cab–unless your destination is the hospital).
2. Put your right arm in the air and hold it there (cabbies will be looking a couple blocks ahead so they have time to slow down and pull over for you).
3. If it’s raining and cabs are scarce, put some dollar bills in your outstretched hand and make sure you’re downwind from other cab seekers so the cab comes upon you first.
4. Get in cab, be polite and tip well.
This really only matters in NYC. Everywhere else, call the cab company and ask them to send a cab. Go directly to number 4.
It doesn’t matter if you’ve never done it or will ever do it–the point is you all CAN do it! It’s easy just like in the movies and that’s one more you can check off America. You’re welcome:)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks that really does help those of us who aren’t city dwellers.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Haters gonna hate. The only point of a list like this or any similar is not that you can do all these things but that you BELIEVE you can do them and anything else life throws at you.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.At 45 I am confident enough to know that, whatever the task is, I’m either accomplished enough to have done it, smart enough to figure it out, or humble enough to ask for help.
Jillee, you are all three! Go girl!!!
friends, neighbors, and country(wo)men. lighten up! the idea here, as i see it, is to be empowered to do THAT WHICH IS NEEDED in your life without the help of anyone else IF POSSIBLE. sorry – i’m not shouting. just want to emphasize what i find important in this message. i know how to clean a gun, for instance, but don’t own one. we’re tee totalers, so no need to open champagne – but there are plenty of bottles that are hard to open and might need some learnin’. can you start a fire? the time might come when you’ll need to – even if you live in downtown brooklyn or rural puckyhuddle. but, i know how should the need arise. i actually think this list is just a starting point – for men and women. maybe guys don’t need to apply make-up anymore than some of the female readers here – but, the time may come when Dad will need to help tween princess to tone hers down. i sure do think there are plenty of other things that we should all learn to do to be independent. but, my sons learned some sewing, some cooking, some cleaning, all about female hygiene needs, and much more that has served them well in their adult lives.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Ladies… and I’m sure there are gentlemen out there as well…. Cant we just all get along?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It’s just a blog!
If you can says “I can do everything on this list” then wonderful for you!
If you can say “I can not do everything on this list” that is wonderful as well because you didn’t need to or you don’t want to.
There is no right or wrong here. Just one person giving advice that works for them. If you want to follow this advice that is up to you.
I am sure that all of you have given someone else advice at least once in your life that only applied to yourself and not to the person on the receiving end. If you don’t like this post then don’t read it. No one is forcing you.
If I could only pick out the right sized bra. I’ll just have to go back to 35 years old! (this was fun)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Love this!! I would agree with most all of it, especially the emotional and personal things!! As woman we always seem to be tuned into others’ needs and the sooner we learn to truly “tune in” to our OWN and attend to them, the BETTER!! LONG before 50, like 30 would be wonderful!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I don’t understand how folks can be offended by something like this list. It’s not a requirement, it’s a suggestion of some life skills that you may, or may NOT, have acquired by the time you reach the age of 50. No one is saying that if you don’t do some of these things that you’re not a complete woman. Obviously we all have different values and experiences. And I don’t think the list was meant to make women sound incapable – it’s obviously a list targeted to women on a blog that is primarily read by women. There’s probably a list out there somewhere of the things men should be able to do by the time they’re 50 (and I’m sure that list is even more sexist).
Let’s all lighten up and take this in the spirit for which it was intended – as a lighthearted and somewhat amusing list! Thanks Jillee for sharing this with us. Safe travels!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I keep thinking about how thoughtful Jillee is and how I hope she’s not in New York for something awful or stressful. I hope she takes some of these comments with a grain of salt or at least a drop of essential oil.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’m 51 and a few weeks ago I had to learn how to unclog a drain to my garbage deposal. There was a twig from some rosemary stuck in the pipe. It was backing everything up from the deposal into the sink. I watched several Youtube videos before I was brave enough to do it. It was actually pretty easy! I lived in 2 foreign countries, where I haled taxis and opened champing bottles. So except for putting on make-up with out a mirror I’ve done the rest. But there are a lot of things I still hope to accomplish, and a few things on this list I hope to improve on. I am woman hear me roar!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My goodness ladies-lighten up!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I am 37 and I can gladly say I have done everything on that list! Mostly because I am a single mom with no one else to do it for me. For the last five years I have become very independent and funny enough I now need to learn to depend on my fiance. Life is full circle and I can’t wait to add more to my life “list” especially as I am disabled myself and learning when to be independent and strong enough to lean on someone.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.The rude comments were completely uncalled for.I would like to add to the list : learn not to be so annoyed by small things that don’t matter. You, your family, and your friends ( if they can put up with you) will be better off. And I would add to the one about telling off one person who deserves it …. only if you need to develop assertiveness, too many people mouth off at the drop of a hat and they should rather be encouraged to hold their tongue.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Kudos Jillee on your blog, let the rudeness roll off your back and just keep doing what you’re doing! Happy Dayt to all!!
Ask a guy for a date
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I don’t know why everyone seems so upset, like others said before this was HER LIST, she asked for input, so why get so upset? So you’re a country girl add a comment, keep the condescending remarks to yourself. Reading this blog is the highlight of my day, but reading those comments are just upsetting. Why get offended, the women’s rights movement was based on our right to make choices for ourselves not conforming to either way of thinking be that traditional or otherwise. Im an Army girl, I meet women from all walks of life and I respect and love them all, because if we were all the same, life would be boring. PS, My addition to the list would be to spend a night in the woods.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I realize this is not Jillee’s list. For me this list is just plain silly, just my opinion. I’ve been widowed twice, once at 30 (4 kids), once at 52. I’m 60 now & blessed with 13 grandchildren. My youngest daughter had litters, rather than single births, and blessed me with twins first, then triplets. Ha!
I’d advise all of you out there that are taking offense from some silly list to get on with things far more important than applying makeup or choosing a wine. Either get someone to show you or take a class. 1. Make sure you know your total financial situation 2. learn how to run your home maintenance 3.Learn how to take care of vehicles. In my generation some of these things were considered the husbands area of expertise. I had little interest so I never paid much attention. Now I’ve learned and am capable of taking care of these things and so more. It might be a good idea for some of you to learn these things now rather than later (like me)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.since statistics show that women outlive men.