An awesome pal of mine turned 50 recently and another amazing one will be 71 soon. One refused a celebration (NO surprises, he warned) while the other has had multiple days and nights of feasting PLUS a staycation at MBS, as usual. How would I approach turning 50? I’m not entirely sure yet but I’m hoping it’s with lots of gratitude for making it to 50. And a staycation at MBS sounds good too!
People like writing letters to their younger selves. What for, though? It’s not like they can travel back in time. I have just 15 things (at the moment) that I hope my 50-year-old self remembers (hur hur), and yes, hopefully I get to live till that age and read this blogpost then. 
15 Things For 50-Year-Old Me To Remember
#1: When filling in online forms, you’ll be scrolling down a lot more to find your year of birth but give thanks for making it to 50 (and beyond).
#2: You’ve lost the right to call anyone ‘Auntie’ or ‘Uncle’ unless truly related by blood. And take the ‘Reserved’ seats on public transport. Leave the non-reserved ones to younger people.
#3: If your spouse insists on not dyeing his hair black, then keep your own greying hair color. Don’t look like you’re dating a much older person!
#4: Don’t stare at young people in public even if they are dressed like they are hardly wearing anything or look like they’re in a Halloween get-up. What you think is a quick glance is, in reality, like a full body scan in slow-mo to younger folks. They know you are looking. Yup.
#5: Have lots of friends but pick them wisely. You’ve already had 5 decades of experience interacting with humans.
#6: Enjoy the company of young people without commenting on their weird fashion sense, weight, unmarried status, etc. Let them enjoy your company, not detest your comments.
#7: Let young people make their own mistakes. Even if you think you know better, sometimes they need to learn things the hard way.
#8: Don’t compare your kids with other people’s kids. Don’t compare your spouse with other people’s husbands. Don’t compare your home with other people’s houses. Comparison breeds discontent.
#9: Your money should go to your kids only after your death, not before.
#10: Stay active. Don’t use mobility devices if you can help it. And try not to get run over by other people’s mobility devices too.
#11: When taking the stairs or escalators, keep to one side so younger people can pass without having to stand behind you and lament that they are wasting precious minutes of their lives. And also ‘cos you might not be able to control that next fart. *wink*
#12: Don’t rush. There will be another train and another bus. You’re no longer fast so take things slow. When driving, keep to the leftmost lane. You’re at most a former speed demon.
#13: Watch your diet always and stop trying to trick the doctors. Fasting and cutting out sugar only before your blood glucose test for the results to look good deceives no one. At the same time, enjoy life by eating well, but always in small portions. Pick quality over quantity.
#14: Throw a party. Every. Single. Year. If you can afford it.
#15: Be sweet to people. Don’t throw your weight around. No one needs to respect you because of your age, unless you are Korean, which you are not.