What would be your life tip?

[dazedandblue]

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!

Hilarious! I have four that my DD desperately wanted and I am so fed up of looking after them. Never again!!

Own your mistakes

Prioritise: health (give up alcohol if you drink); pension (stick as much in as you can); adventure (don’t wait for opportunities- make them!).

Big yourself up. Women are terrible at this! Practise. Observe how men do it (all the time). It makes a difference.

Could you say more? I’m trying to stop have just completed week three but am finding it hard. Everything seems flat and dull. Need motivation

There is such a thing as gut instinct. Trust your gut.

However logical and sensible a decision seems, and when your head is telling you "Don't be ridiculous, of course it is the right decision", if your gut is telling you not to do it... don't do it.

Bad things happen all by themselves but good things rarely do. They need to be organised or worked towards. So start making good things happen. Arrange the meet up or party, invest in your hobby, save for that holiday, make a fun day with your kids, go for a walk in the woods etc. Whatever brings you joy, start organising it because it won't just happen.

I agree. Same with "luck" - you can't create luck, but you can put yourself in the best position possible to take full advantage of "luck" when an opportunity arises. A bit like winning the lottery - it's pure luck whether you win or not, but if you don't buy a ticket you're not going to win and then luck doesn't come into it.

As you say, take control and do things yourself, don't wait for others/luck to come along.

I’ve never been disliked by someone I’d want to trade places with. That’s maybe less of a life tip and more of a thing to bear in mind, keeps some perspective

Don't tell yourself it's too late to do something you want to do. In my 50s I've emigrated, started a doctorate and had Invisalign!

Really think about who you choose to have children with. It links you - whether you like it or not! - for the next 18 years at least.

Use SPF.

Start paying into a pension as soon as possible.
Make time for friends
keep your financial independence
find what exercise you like and stick to it
give up alcohol in the 50s
spf 50 daily