Recently, I wrote an article sharing pieces of wisdom from people over 40 about things that people in their 20s don’t realize will affect them as they age. You all seemed to love it — so much so that we got even more advice from people over 40 in our very own BuzzFeed Community! So young people, listen up: here are some of the most fascinating and crucial things that are going to be good to keep in mind as we age.
1. “It was relatively easy for me to make friends in my teens, 20s, and 30s, but especially after I got into my 50s it wasn’t as easy anymore.”
2. “If you’re going to drink alcohol, do it in moderation. It is actually preferable not to drink at all.”
3. “Dental health is very, very important! I have a friend who is in her early 70s (like me) and she was a smoker for many years but quit about 10 years ago.”
4. “[People don’t think about] how older women become ‘invisible’ as they age.”
5. “If you can have a safe, reasonable relationship [with your parents] try to find the way. Ask questions, let them talk, try to learn about their extended family, share moments. They go quickly in many cases.”
6. “Even if all you can save is $20 a week, save it. Don’t smoke cigarettes (nothing ages skin more), eat reasonably well, and walk everywhere you can.”
7. “That little ding you got in college from being stupid that you got patched up and never thought of again is gonna come back and kick your ass in your 40s.”
8. “For real, I had great vision until I was about 43. Then, one day, I realized that everything on my phone and every book was blurry. I was holding them way far away to try to read.”
9. “The reappearance of scars. Scars tend to fade with time. As we age, that reverses, and scars that had disappeared become more visible.”
10. “It’s a cliché, but live your best life, whatever that means to you personally. There’s a time to relax and do nothing, but make that the exception, not the norm.”
11. “Depending on your job/ambitions/career ladder, it is weird when you get to the point where people younger than you are in higher positions than you.”
“My current supervisor is younger than me by about 15 years. As long as he remains a decent person, I’m not too worried about it. I’m too exhausted to climb any more career ladders. I just want insurance and a steady paycheck. But I do agree that the moment I became older than my supervisors, it was a little strange.”
12. “Do yourself a favor and keep up with your doctor’s appointments. You may find your bad cholesterol level is now running high. You could have a stroke or heart attack. By regularly going for your office visits you can keep on top of this and hopefully avoid any problems.”
13. “When you’re dating, keep in mind that it is so easy to love someone’s good qualities. It’s their shitty ones you have to live with. If you can’t stand or feel unbearably uncomfortable with someone’s worst qualities, move on. Even if you love the person, they are not the one for you.”
—Anonymous
14. “At 20, the size of your world is limited by time and money. As you enter your 40s, your employment should give you more money and time to spend it. In your 50s and early 60s, you have hit the sweet spot. Travel as much as you can to wherever you can.”
15. “You’d be shocked at how many people are having affairs. Even (or especially) in your own extended family. And if you ever get a look at how ugly some of the paramours are, all you’ll be able to say is, ‘Why?!'”
16. “One day you are the old guy in the office. Even though you look and tend to act young, you are still the old person now. It’s weird going from being the person told ‘You’re a baby, you have so much time on your side to live and experience life!’ to being the person telling people they are young and have so much time to live and experience life.”
—Anonymous
17. “Just regular walking is the bedrock of health at any age. Fitness does NOT have to be a big production. So many people get gym memberships, expensive equipment, etc. only to use it, like, twice. Just get your ass outside and walk a while, maybe three times a week.”
18. “It really pains me to say, but you might not EVER get over ‘the one,’ really. Even in a good marriage with kids, I’ve never felt such a connection other than with this woman. I still find myself longing sometimes.”
19. “Your boss is not your friend. However much you may shoot the shit, however much sympathy they may voice for you… they will respond to their higher-ups and will can you in a heartbeat.”
—Anonymous
20. “You will be fired or laid off, probably multiple times. It’s usually not your fault; more to do with cost-cutting decisions far above you. If you want to stay in the corporate world, become a rock star in a niche that can’t be done without. Closer to the money, the better.”
21. “Moisturize! But not just your face. Don’t forget your neck and upper chest.”
—Anonymous
22. “Something I didn’t fully appreciate as a younger person was all the benefits of wearing sunscreen. I know it was all over the news, but I still didn’t pay attention. Five cancerous growths later, I wish I could go back and apply it!”
23. And finally: “How much faster time goes as you get older. My late dad always said life was like a roll of toilet paper, the closer you get to the end, the faster it goes. RIP Dad.”
—Anonymous
If you’re over 40 and feel like there’s an element to aging that 20-somethings just do not see coming, tell us about it down in the comments! Or, if you want to write in but prefer to do so anonymously, you can check out this anonymous Google Form. Your answer may be included in an upcoming BuzzFeed article!
Note: Some submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.
