Things you've learned. (wife, loving, single, younger)

[professorsenator]

The more I have learned, the more I realize I don't know much. When I was young I knew everything and nothing. Now I know something and nothing.

[younglisa7]

Oh yeah we all definitely change. I have learned so much especially from 30-40. I am much more self confident, self sufficient, and basically not naive. I don't put up with BS anymore and if I don't get along with you that's fine. I used to worry what everyone else thought and I was very sensitive. Now I know I am who I am, so take it or leave it. I am not going to pretend or put on a show for anyone. I am happy with me and I find that now I don't need to prove myself.

I am still a good and caring person but I am more harsh. I don't have blind compassion and faith anymore. I want to know why and how did you get in your circumstances before I feel bad for you. Now I believe in Karma and "what comes around goes around". There are a few unfortunate exceptions to the rule.

So the changes are not always good but time and life does shape us. I do believe I am much better off emotionally because I think for myself. I am much stronger.

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by Chowhound

I'm getting close to hitting the big 4-0 and having been thinking alot about life and how we grow and change and how our opinions of things change as we get older.

My dear buddy Chow can be always counted on to depress me more, particularly with my BD coming up!

Originally Posted by professorsenator

The more I have learned, the more I realize I don't know much.

That's it, prof! You're on your way to perfection! You'll reach it when you realize you know NOTHING at all!

[Mr.Cat]

I am 42 and I'm still learning. Especially a lot about parenthood.

[PeachyMJ]

What I learned when I turned the big 50 was that I was FREE - free to be me. I looked at life a whole lot differently. Told my husband that I was gonna retire in 5 years, that he could plan accordingly. Stopped giving a big damn about who I pleased or made happy! I was NO 1 (after the hubby) - my kids had their own lives, so I let them live them and I flit around doing what I want to do. Joined a group of wild women, wore sparkly things and tiara's - met some of the best friends in my entire life. I have had more fun and life experiences since I've turned 50 just by being me! If I embarass my kids, so be it. THEY embarassed me for years. Playback is hell!!! I can decide to take a trip and be ready in 30 min to an hour flat.

Seriously, what I've found out, is that for every age, there are lessons - like learning to not share your opinion, just keep quiet. As my Mema used to say, just pay attention and don't let on - so I learned to do that. Another was, let's don't and say we did. Hubby and I use that all the time. Probably the most important one is to be yourself - don't try and be somebody you're not.

I have never been a fashion plate, but always dressed nice for work. Never was really critized by peers as to what I wore, but last Christmas I went to a Christmas party at a friend's house. Another guest told me she liked my sweater and where did I get it - told her I could not remember, probably TJ Maxx or Marshalls. She looked at me then, and said - well it must be last year's stuff. WTF? She was lucky that I had only one glass of wine at the time. Otherwise, she might have had it stuffed down her throat.

[Pikantari]

I have learned that my mom DID know what she was talking about, as well as my Dad. I learned that in raising my kids. I knew they had the answers. Now that they are both gone, I find myself picking up the phone, Mom will know. Dad will know. But they are both gone, and I have to use what they taught me in life while they were here.

[Mona Mee]

The best thing I have learned, I must treat people the same way they treat me, no more.

In the past I treated them much better than they did .

[carlitasway]

Originally Posted by PeachyMJ

What I learned when I turned the big 50 was that I was FREE - free to be me. I looked at life a whole lot differently. Told my husband that I was gonna retire in 5 years, that he could plan accordingly. Stopped giving a big damn about who I pleased or made happy! I was NO 1 (after the hubby) - my kids had their own lives, so I let them live them and I flit around doing what I want to do. Joined a group of wild women, wore sparkly things and tiara's - met some of the best friends in my entire life. I have had more fun and life experiences since I've turned 50 just by being me! If I embarass my kids, so be it. THEY embarassed me for years. Playback is hell!!! I can decide to take a trip and be ready in 30 min to an hour flat.

Seriously, what I've found out, is that for every age, there are lessons - like learning to not share your opinion, just keep quiet. As my Mema used to say, just pay attention and don't let on - so I learned to do that. Another was, let's don't and say we did. Hubby and I use that all the time. Probably the most important one is to be yourself - don't try and be somebody you're not.

I have never been a fashion plate, but always dressed nice for work. Never was really critized by peers as to what I wore, but last Christmas I went to a Christmas party at a friend's house. Another guest told me she liked my sweater and where did I get it - told her I could not remember, probably TJ Maxx or Marshalls. She looked at me then, and said - well it must be last year's stuff. WTF? She was lucky that I had only one glass of wine at the time. Otherwise, she might have had it stuffed down her throat.

This is hands down my favorite post

I guess I've learned that life is no fairy tale but it is what you make of it. Blood is not always thicker than water.

[PeachyMJ]

Thank you vera much!!!!

[Coldjensens]

You certainly change as you age. More on the inside than on the outside really. You both learn things and you change your perspective. You also seem to change more after you reach roughly 40. I changed almost not at all from 21-25, somewhat from 27 - 35. A bit more from 35-40 and a whole lot between 40 and 45. Does that keep going?

By their late 30s or earlier, most people learn:

1. Everythign that you once thought was so important really isn't

2. You parents really were pretty smart when you look back on all of the supid things that they did.

3. Money is not going to make you happy.

4. A full night of sleep is a gift from God.

5. Things start to hurt, then they hurt more. Nothing gets better anymore, you just learn to deal with it.

6. What other people think of you is irrelevant.

8. Sports cars are painful to drive for long periods of time (now that you can afford one, you do not really want one).

9. Family is more important than friends.

10. Hangovers last longer, hurt more and are simply are not worth it anymore.

11. Even if you are the best or most of anything, it will not last.

12. Teenagers are idiots. There are no exceptions.

13. Sleeping on the ground is not fun.

14. Things that used to bother you a little, often now bother you a lot.

15. Time is the greatest commodity in the world.

16. You will always need your parents.

17. Do no to believe everything that you read or hear. In fact, do not belive any of it. COnfirm anyhting before you accept it as fact.