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Original poster

What would be your life tip?

212 replies

dazedandblue · 04/10/2025 22:27

I am slowly approaching 40, which obviously means I’m having a bit of a pre mid-life crisis. With that, I’m taking stock of things and seeing what small changes I can implement for the next 40 years.

So give me your best tips and tricks and life advice.

For younger me, I would have said just do the thing (whatever it is in the situation), put yourself out there. You’ll love it.

For me now, I’m working through and putting together my financial plans. They’re ok, but need optimising.

But I don’t plan to stop there - the last maybe 5-10 years I’ve lost myself a little so now I’m ready for my revival.

So I’m ready to hear all your wise words!

OP posts:
JarellQuansahsGolfClubs · 04/10/2025 23:44

I don't know if this is the sort of thing you mean OP but my top tip for life is to give up alcohol.

I've no idea whether or not you do drink of course but I gave up maybe 15 years ago or so (I'm 53 now) and it's been the single best thing I've done for myself. I didn't even use to drink that much! But I've achieved so much more having given it up.

I originally gave it up because it was a migraine trigger but I wouldn't go back for anything now, migraines or not.

I know some would call me a killjoy but for me, it's been the very opposite.

clipboardz · 04/10/2025 23:46

Marry well, life is so much easier with support at your side

CarpetKnees · 04/10/2025 23:47

Start moving.
Find a thing you enjoy doing - be it swimming, dancing, joining a rugby team, a running club, 'back to netball', joining a gym, starting yoga, cycling, or whatever floats your boat, but find something that becomes a habit.

Drink more water.

Make time to meet with a friend or friends - be it for a walk or lunch or a night away or a night out or day out once a month. Make it happen. Prioritise yourself.

Write your will

See a financial advisor - make sure your pension provision is as healthy as you are able to make it

Travel somewhere you really want to g,, and do it whilst you are young enough and healthy enough to enjoy it to the full.

ViciousCurrentBun · 04/10/2025 23:47

Head over heart every time

WannaFOffOnHoliday · 04/10/2025 23:49

Look after your health
Be it food, Fitness, Alchol.
Proper fitted shoes.

Literally just look after yourself

Mum2twoandacockapoo · 04/10/2025 23:50

You’re a long time dead ..
I think after seeing how many people stress about such unimportant things , we need to remember this sometimes . Don’t stress the small stuff .

Robertplantgoddess · 04/10/2025 23:53

Please yourself. If it ever is a I should ' moment then it means you probably don't want to do it. Empathy. Works both ways. Would someone do this for you? If not dont beat yourself up if you dont want to do it for them.
Again - whenever you can - enjoy yourself. Life is much shorter than you think- if you don't eat that chocolate will death bed you think more of you than today you for not doing it etc. Just be yourself whenever you can. Love yourself (someone who doubted and didn't like themselves for too many years - more than you've lived).
On another thread someone was asking about xmas day- as an example whatever is your best Xmas day do that whenever you can xx

mamaduckbone · 04/10/2025 23:59

Mine is just say yes. I've talked myself out of so many things over the years and missed out on a lot for that reason. Friendships have gone astray and experiences haven't been had. I turned 50 this year and my resolution for the next 20 years is to grasp any opportunity I'm given with both hands.
Admittedly, it helps to be in a stronger financial position to be able to do these things now, but my immediate response to anything is still no I can't, so it's a big departure and challenge.

SplendiferousKnickers · 05/10/2025 00:03

Use sunscreen! Wish I'd done that years ago...my skin is paying the price now.😔

swimsong · 05/10/2025 00:12

It's better not to have what you want than to be stuck with what you don't want.

ThreePears · 05/10/2025 00:16

Don't ignore your gut instinct.

NavigatingMyLife · 05/10/2025 00:35

Chuck as much into your pension as early as you can.

Don’t be so hard on your first born child. (For those lucky enough to have more than 1, or for those who choose to have kids at all)

Choose your battles with your kids when they get older.

No one gets out of here alive.

Party on.

Work hard.

Discover knitting.

Have confidence in yourself - put yourself forward.

Ask questions.

Don’t be an arsehole.

Have plenty of orgasms.

Shit happens in life a lot, but you have one life, so although it’s shit try and move with it.

Needtosoundoffandbreathe · 05/10/2025 00:43

Treat everyone you meet the same
Don't judge a book by the cover
Don't wait till tomorrow to do what you can today

Netcurtainnelly · 05/10/2025 00:45

Mum2twoandacockapoo · 04/10/2025 23:50

You’re a long time dead ..
I think after seeing how many people stress about such unimportant things , we need to remember this sometimes . Don’t stress the small stuff .

But they feel important at the time I guess.

60andcounting · 05/10/2025 00:47

Keep breathing.

Unsuurisweird · 05/10/2025 00:48

Do not argue with strangers in the internet - it’ll suck your lifeblood and no-one will change their opinion because of you.

Aposterhasnoname · 05/10/2025 00:49

Never rely on anyone for anything.

Cactus12 · 05/10/2025 00:52

Make time for your friends.
Give people the benefit of the doubt- you never know what someone else might be going through.
Never buy guinea pigs- you’ll end up being the only one who ever cleans them out.

Sjkeb · 05/10/2025 00:52

Take time to enjoy the small things in every day...a hot cup of tea, interesting clouds in the sky, the scent of an orange as you peel it, fresh bed linen.

EggBleater · 05/10/2025 00:54

Don't get a financial advisor. Learn to invest and manage your finances yourself.

17to35 · 05/10/2025 00:54

Learn from the mistakes of others.

Weightlo55 · 05/10/2025 01:02

I agree with having a decent private pension.

Also appreciate the small stuff and getting out in nature.

Don't take other people's opinions too seriously. Some people are cunty. Let them go. Be your own person.

Appreciate good friends. I adore mine. Also make sure your oh deserves you. Mine is amazing.

MaidOfSteel · 05/10/2025 01:17

Don’t think of ageing as just about getting older. It’s all about becoming wiser.

Treat others as you would wish to be treated.

Always wear a high SPF moisturiser.

Being alone is way preferable to being in a bad relationship.

BoredZelda · 05/10/2025 01:19

Start a pension as early as possible. No matter how small, even if it’s £1 a week at first, get the pension going. At the average return of 6% per year, over 50 years, that would be worth 250k. When you get a job and are offered the opportunity to join a company pension, do it. Your employer will also add money to it so it’s free money. Your older self will thank you for doing it.

Also, if something you’re bothered about isn’t going to be a problem next week, don’t waste your time thinking about it. If it isn’t going to be a problem next month, think about it but not for long. If it is going to be a problem next year, spend the time you need to work out how to fix it.

BoredZelda · 05/10/2025 01:21

EggBleater · 05/10/2025 00:54

Don't get a financial advisor. Learn to invest and manage your finances yourself.

Can’t agree with this one. Hired a financial advisor to look at our pensions. We’ve moved jobs so much we both had a whole bunch of pensions. I have neither the time nor the inclination to do the leg work on sorting that mess out, but in less than two weeks I now know how much we can expect to have when we retire and it’s way better than I thought!