60 Lessons from the Weird Chubby Girl…From 10 to 70

Last week, I posted a picture of my fifth-grade class.

I thought about how much I’ve changed and learned in those six decades.

Back then, I lived in terror of being asked to jump off a sawhorse in gym class. I thought about who might ask me to dance at our co-ed parties. I made sure I turned in my book reports on time.

What would I tell my 10-year-old self?

Definitely some of these things. She would have no clue what I was talking about. But maybe you, at 20, 30, 40, 50, or even older, could learn and be inspired.

🔎 READ THE ROOM

1. If you get “bad gut” about someone, trust it and run away…fast

2. LISTEN.

3. Channel your inner journalist…ask lots of questions

4. Understand that everyone has their “stuff” and show grace

5. Call people out on their bullshit (kindly and firmly)

6. Make eye contact

7. Talk to strangers. You never know where it may lead

🤝 VALUE THE RIGHT HUMANS

8. Keep your true friends really close

9. Never underestimate the importance of friends and family

10. True love exists…just be patient

11. It’s never too late to reconnect with people you’re estranged from. But avoid toxic types (see #1)

12. Don’t talk endlessly about yourself…focus on what you can offer others

13. Always be making new friends and connections

14. Mentor, volunteer, give back!

15. Find a role model (or several)

🙋 DEFINE WHO YOU ARE TODAY & OWN IT

16. Embrace your decisions without apologizing for being you

17. Quiet the negative self-talk

18. Learn to be vulnerable and ask for assistance when you need it

19. Know how to play injured and still ask for help without whining

20. Do things that scare you. If they suck, don’t do them again.

21. Being the outcast in a situation can build character

22. Dress the way you feel most comfortable and “you”

23. Let go of things you can’t control

24. Break rules, but don’t end up in jail

25. Having an “enemy” in business can be motivating. Know your competition

✋ OWN BEING DIFFERENT

26. If you’re a woman, just accept the fact that you’re wired differently from men

27. Be a feminist…and rage against the patriarchy (but not in a cranky way)

28. Women: get comfortable with STEM and AI

29. Don’t be bitchy to other women, at any age

🤖 RULE THE MACHINES & UNDERSTAND TRENDS

30. AI is not human. Use it but don’t trust it!

31. Test new technologies and gadgets…don’t just hate on them

32. Do not doom scroll

33. Balance analog and digital time

34. Follow pop culture but don’t be a slave to it. (e.g., I watch reality TV and scroll TikTok. It entertains me, but also scares the crap out of me at times.)

35. Make friends of ALL ages

🌱 FEED THE CURIOSITY

36. Always be curious and open to learning new things

37. Traveling to wildly different places fuels your soul

38. Don’t be afraid to move somewhere totally new

39. Try new foods. Your tastes also change over time

40. You’re never too old to do something new

41. Working with and talking to students gives you insight into the future

42. Volunteering in a mental hospital gives you insight into mental illness (like I did in college)

🎐 MAKE TIME FOR RECESS

43. Carve out ample time for relaxation and calm

44. Don’t feel guilty when you need a break

45. Read and write (DUH!)

46. Laugh often (inappropriately and loud)

47. Learn an analog craft or hobby

48. Balance pragmatism with woo-woo

🎂 LIFE CAN BEGIN AT 70

49. 70 is the start of a new era…not the end of your life

50. Reflect on the past, but always be looking forward

51. Intimacy is key. Human touch is way underrated

52. Math is important! You need enough money to live well if you plan to get to 100

53. Dying wealthy is wasteful

54. Get regular medical and dental check-ups

55. Don’t fear “medication,” but choose the right health care professionals

56. Throw your crap away. Don’t make your kids deal with it

57. Be a responsible and compassionate parent and grandparent

58. Your social media life is not reality. Never forget that

59. Quality is always more important than quantity

60. Never stop reinventing yourself.

I’ve learned a lot since fifth grade. I still turn my work in on time. (But I’m still waiting for someone to ask me to dance!)

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