Lifestyle Personal Wisdom

The Big 5-0 and What I’ve Learned So Far

August 7, 2014

Hello! I’m signing off today for a couple of weeks as I think I deserve a little break:-) I’m also launching a new project in September, which I can’t wait to share with you nearer the time.

In other news, I’m celebrating reaching half a century next Wednesday. #tinasjubilee has finally arrived and yes, I’m emotionally ready. I was thinking how best to mark this milestone here on the blog and decided to list 50 lessons life has taught me so far.

50th final

1. Make peace with your past so it doesn’t screw up the present.
2. Life isn’t always fair, but it’s still damn good.
3. Despite what you might have heard, you can create your own life.
4. Having affairs is just not worth it.
5. To truly love someone you must first learn to love yourself.
6. Mindfulness is the key to so many doors.
7. Don’t compare your life to others. Strive to be unique and forge out your own path.
8. Chasing fame is unsatisfactory. Chase meaning and purpose.
9. What doesn’t kill you sure does make you stronger.
10. What goes up must come down.
11. If you don’t ask, you don’t get.
12. You don’t have to always win every argument. Agree to disagree.
13. Religion is an easy way out. Create your own life manual.
14. Do what you love every day.
15. Compromise is underrated.
16. Patience is a true virtue.
17. It comes to those who work hard.
18. It’s good to talk.
19. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
20. Time heals almost everything. Give time the time it deserves.
21. Forgive everyone everything.
22. It’s not the destination, it’s the journey.
23. Make your life as colourful as possible.
24. Live in the present. It’s the best place to be.
25. Mindless consumerism is just another addiction. Seek inner fulfillment instead.
26. Empathy is the lifeline to every relationship.
27. We are all just people.
28. Children get only one childhood. It’s the foundation for the rest of their lives.
29. Prevention is better than reaction.
30. Be gracious, be humble and remember your roots.
31. Be an eternal student.
32. It’s definitely quality over quantity.
33. It’s good to cry. Having a witness is even better.
34. ‘A life unexamined is a life not worth living’ is the best quote ever.
35. Life is short. Make it your priority.
36. Curiosity is the gateway to an exciting life.
37. Respect the elderly. They have a lot to teach us.
38. Beauty comes and goes. Invest in values and wisdom instead.
39. Go and find your tribe.
40. There was life before the internet. Seek it out.
41. Gather an emotional toolbox. It will come handy.
42. Give time, not money.
43. Wholesome food is a great healer.
44. Knowledge is power.
45. A woman comes into her own at 40.
46. Be ‘playful’ and ‘childish’ at any age.
47. The best is still to come. Make every year your best year yet.
48. Learn from mistakes. Repeating them is not wise.
49. Vulnerability shows strength.
50. ‘Love’ is the answer to life and it comes in many disguises.

We’ve had a gorgeous summer in London and I’m not yet ready to give it up. Hope you’re all having a fab time, wherever you are.

Meanwhile I’ll still be hanging out on Instagram and Twitter. See you back here on Monday 25th August. So long friends! x

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37 Comments

  • Reply Emma August 7, 2014 at 9:22 pm

    That is a great list, definitely one to remember. Wishing you a very happy birthday, and look forward to hearing your news. Emma x

    • Reply tina August 23, 2014 at 8:54 am

      Thank you Emma. Had a fantastic time.
      Hope you’ve enjoyed the summer.

      On the Home Run now with my new project. x

  • Reply Catherine Bedson August 8, 2014 at 1:20 am

    Happy Happy 50th Birthday!!! It’s finally arrived, wishing you nothing but the best for the next 50+ years, your list is very considered and mindful and oh so true, thank you for sharing your wisdom. Enjoy the next couple of weeks, enjoy turning 50. Can’t wait to hear the news of your new project. XXX

    • Reply tina August 23, 2014 at 8:59 am

      Ha. It finally has. I think my strategy of embracing #tinasjubilee since January worked a treat. I was mindful of it all year and when it arrived I was quite excited. Didn’t know how I would feel about it all:-)

      It’ll be fun to write my next list (at 100)? Hahaha.
      Can’t wait to share my project.
      Thanks Catherine. So glad you sold your home. Let a new adventure begin xx

  • Reply Liza August 8, 2014 at 8:51 am

    Tina! Such a good idea and a fantastic list! I agree with every point on it.
    Have a lovely birthday, a relaxing break and lots of success with your new project. Best wishes, Liza

    • Reply tina August 23, 2014 at 9:01 am

      Hi Liza,

      Thank you. I have to ask you for your list as I’m sure you have many things to teach me:-)
      I’m so glad we met and thank you for your support. x

  • Reply alison sye August 8, 2014 at 3:29 pm

    Happy birthday lovely lady.
    I attempt to live by your points (agree with all), although I don’t always succeed.
    Looking forward to your new venture xx

    • Reply tina August 23, 2014 at 9:04 am

      Hello you,

      Hope you had a fantastic break yourself and enjoyed a ‘proper holiday’ from it all.
      Hahaha, attempting and trying is all that is expected. Some of the points have literally taken me 50 years…. so there’s time:-)

      Yeah! Can’t wait to share. Fully immersed right now!! xx

  • Reply Anya Jensen August 8, 2014 at 7:02 pm

    Happy Happy 50th Birthday lovely lady. You’re one of the smartest & nicest people I have met through blogging – love your 50 lessons – I agree with so many of them. Look forward to seeing the new project and catching up for coffee next time I’m in London. Many many hugs,
    Axx

    • Reply tina August 23, 2014 at 9:11 am

      Thank you sweet Anya….. aww, what a lovely thing to say. Thank you so much *blush* .

      It was funny how it literally took me 10 minutes to write. They sort of rolled off the tongue:-)

      Yes, hope to see you soon somewhere in Europe. Copenhagen would be great but London would be fab too. Looks like you had an amazing time in the South of France. Always LOVE your pics xx

  • Reply Gerard @WalnutGrey August 9, 2014 at 11:45 am

    I love this list Tina. There are many lessons on there that I need to tell myself & trust in right now!

    Enjoy your few weeks and most of all enjoy your 50th! I admire you for not be afraid to scream it out there!!! 🙂

    Gxx

    • Reply tina August 23, 2014 at 9:25 am

      Thank you Sir G.

      Sometimes just reading affirmative words can have a huge impact. It’s good to do so and I use that technique when I’m getting lost in my head and thoughts with negative stuff.

      Have had a wonderful break and Birthday. Ha, I believe I’m in the minority here. I just know too many people, who like you, don’t want to reveal their age publicly. Each to their own I say….
      I believe in celebrating myself and my achievements as a person:-)

      Hope you’ve had a good summer and are ready for Autumn and all the Design shows. Incidentally, are you coming to LDF? xx

  • Reply Gerard @WalnutGrey August 9, 2014 at 11:47 am

    sorry… that should read “for not being afraid”… as in you know how age precious I am! 😉

    YOU GO LOVELY LADY xx

    • Reply tina August 23, 2014 at 9:25 am

      Thanks lovely xx

  • Reply Giova Brusa August 9, 2014 at 9:04 pm

    Love the list, it is a great one!! So many things that I still need to learn.
    I’m so glad I met you!!
    Happy early birthday. May it be everything that you want it to be.
    xoxoGiova

    • Reply tina August 23, 2014 at 9:30 am

      Hello lovely Giova,

      Hope you’re having an amazing time in Columbia right now.

      Thank you. Do you know, I think after all the nice comments on my list I will print it out myself. Always good to have reminders when I start loosing my way here and there:-))

      Aww, I’m so glad we met too and you are one of the very few who know a little bit about my forthcoming project. Hope we can meet up again soon. Still planning to come to Amsterdam this year.

      My Birthday was magical and memorable. All one can ask for, right? xx

  • Reply Chi August 10, 2014 at 10:34 am

    LOVE every one of your 50 lessons, Tina! No. 45 was definitely true for me in every way.

    Have a wonderful break and a super-duper birthday.

    I look forward to hearing your exciting news when you’re ready to share it!!! xo

    • Reply tina August 23, 2014 at 9:36 am

      Hello Chi.

      Hope you and your brood are doing well.
      Thank you. Ha. I thought that this might be the case with you. I really felt a huge surge and an inner ‘power’ I had never experienced before.

      Had a great time and realised that the next decade will even be better…

      Can’t wait to share my news. Not long now.
      Sending hugs to you all xx

  • Reply Peter Cooper August 11, 2014 at 10:12 am

    This is just great Tina. Have a well deserved break, enjoy your big day and like you said – the best is still to come… Xx

    • Reply tina August 23, 2014 at 9:37 am

      Hello Peter.

      Thank you so much. Loved my break and am firmly convinced the best is yet to come.
      Hope to meet you soon in person xx

  • Reply Louise - 30s Magazine August 11, 2014 at 12:20 pm

    What a great list Tina! I hope you have a fantastic birthday and many more of those. Enjoy your blog-break!

    • Reply tina August 23, 2014 at 9:38 am

      Hi Louise,

      Thank you. Had great blog break, my longest I believe and a fantatsic Birthday.
      Hope you’ve been enjoyinh the summer and tanning yourself:-) x

  • Reply Mel August 20, 2014 at 9:57 am

    Hi Tina. Oh I love this list, I think I’ll print it out so many words of wisdom there. I do hope that you’re having some well deserved time off and I’m so glad that you had a wonderful birthday. Lots of love, Mel xx

    P.S. Can your summer hurry up and end so that we can get some here! Ha! Sorry I had to;-)

    • Reply tina August 23, 2014 at 9:42 am

      Mel,

      That skiing holiday looked dram like. Bet it feels like you’ve been back for months. Bet your kiddies missed you guys loads. How was it to be away together for the first time without sprogs?

      Haha, we’re trying to hold on to every sun ray, to every bright day and long evening. No one wants summer to end. I must confess, every year after my Birthday, the weather changes slightly and you can feel autumn in the air. Anyway, it’s your turn now and we need to start embracing the colder evenings.

      Sending hugs x

  • Reply Igor August 20, 2014 at 9:04 pm

    What a fantastic list of lessons learned! Worth to be printed and hung above the desk! Once again sorry for being late but I wish you the best new year in your life with all the best yet to come! Consider yourself properly hugged!

    • Reply tina August 23, 2014 at 9:45 am

      Hello and welcome back from your internet free break.
      Looks like you had a fantastically enriching time in Serbia. It’s so good and important to go back to roots and to enjoy everyday life, like before the internet.

      Thank you. Hope my lessons inspire!

      Am feeling properly hugged and can’t wait to see you later on in the year! x

  • Reply Carole Poirot August 21, 2014 at 8:00 am

    ‘Be playful and childish at any age’ – that has to be my favourite! So many valuable and great points. There are so many small things we forget in everyday life and this list is a wonderful reminder. Thank you 🙂

    Hope to catch up soon and – once again – Happy Jubilee xo

    • Reply tina August 23, 2014 at 9:50 am

      Ha. I agree. I love that one too and am proud to be living it every day.

      Life passes us by with everything that is thrown at us on a daily basis. It’s so important to stop, reflect, be mindful and enjoy the ‘simple things’ in life, like a meaningful conversation, a smile, laughter a touch, a great meal with honest food and simple breathing when we’re feeling overwhelmed.

      Thank you darling. Looking forward to seeing you in a few days xx

  • Reply Holly August 23, 2014 at 9:36 am

    Dearest Tina! These are all such valuable lessons. As Igor says, worth being printed out and hung for the whole world to see. I feel both inspired and humbled reading this list, and I imagine it has that same effect on most who read it. Definitely, this should be a Colourliving print! Until then, I will print it out and keep a copy in my diary 🙂 Your lessons are so honest and I am grateful you shared them with us. Thank you.

    Happy, happy birthday beautiful Tina! May this indeed be your best year yet <3

    Love xoxox

    ps. What a great year for you to start a new project. Waiting in anticipation to hear more about it!!!! Wishing you all the best!

    • Reply tina August 23, 2014 at 10:16 am

      Hi Holly love!

      Ha. Thank you for your contineous suuport.
      Never thought of making this into a print. Actually, thank you for the idea. Might play around with it. You’ll be the first one to receive it:-)

      Thank you darling. Gald it inspires. And you are so very welcome.

      I love that we are only 1 day apart on our Birthdays, albeit quite apart in years:-)) You’re definitely an old and wise soul for your years and I so love and cherish our friendship.

      As soon as I launch, you’ll be the first to know xxx

  • Reply Katy at Apartment Apothecary September 1, 2014 at 10:57 am

    I loved reading this list, one by one, and thinking about them all along the way. Number one is so powerful and definitely one to remember and try to live by. Enjoy the year to come, Tina! xxx

    • Reply tina September 1, 2014 at 10:21 pm

      Aww, thanks Katy. Yes No.1 is a toughy but keep chipping away…. that’s what I do! xx

  • Reply Sarah~Lou September 9, 2014 at 10:13 am

    What a fantastic list & glad you had a good birthday xx

    • Reply tina September 15, 2014 at 12:23 am

      Thank you Sarah-Lou. Gosh, seems long ago now:-) x

  • Reply Doris September 14, 2014 at 2:55 pm

    Happy Birthday Lovely Tina! I LOVED your list. You are such an inspiration to me and I absolutely appreciate the friendship we have. We really are both kindred spirits striving for a better more fulfilling life. Thank you lovely lady. Here’s to another wonderful 50 years to come. xD

    • Reply tina September 15, 2014 at 12:25 am

      Thank you sweetheart. And you wished me on the day!
      Awwww, what a lovely thing to say. Thank you and I also cherish our friendship.

      It’s nice to know there are some kindred spirits out there….
      Yep, ready for the next 50:-)) xx

  • Reply A review of 2014 colourliving December 22, 2014 at 12:30 am

    […] year has seen me turn 50. For anyone interested, the world hasn’t gone under. Nothing has changed. As with so many […]

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