So apparently, I turned 59 today. Which is wild, considering my inner spirit insists I’m still hovering somewhere around 35 — maybe 45 on a bad back day. I keep waiting for someone to hand me the adulting manual, but after 59 years, I’m convinced it never existed.
I used to think by this age, I’d have “arrived.” You know — wise, elegant, possibly glowing in candlelight with mysterious insight into life’s big questions. Instead, I’m just over here talking to my fur-children like they’re my therapist and getting excited when a new probiotic works.
But truth be told, 59 feels… earned. It’s the age where you realize wisdom doesn’t come from winning — it comes from surviving your own bad decisions and learning to laugh about them.
So, in honor of my 59th lap around the sun, here are a few things this “forever 39 in disguise” woman has learned — the hard way, the holy way, and the hilarious way:
59 TINY TRUTHS (GIve or take a Few because…DemenTIA)
- Nothing good ever starts with “Watch this.”
- Coffee first. Everything else second. God understands.
- You can’t please everyone — but you can confuse the heck out of them by just smiling and walking away.
- Laughing until you snort is still better than any anti-aging cream.
- Forgiveness is for peace, not for access.
- If you love someone, tell them. If you don’t, send them to voicemail.
- Life gets lighter when you stop dragging old versions of yourself behind you.
- Gratitude isn’t just a vibe — it’s armor.
- The older you get, the more “plans” mean pajamas.
- Stretch before you sneeze. Trust me.
- Stop worrying about your weight, Sis. God never asked you to count calories — He asked you to count blessings.
- Relationships? Friendships?… let’s just say I’ve met a few “learning experiences” dressed like loyal people.
- Not everyone deserves front-row access to your peace. Decide who gets your energy like you’re curating an invite-only event.
- It’s perfectly okay to pause, breathe, and walk away from ridiculousness before it drains your sparkle.
- The pause isn’t weakness — it’s wisdom. Taking a beat before reacting can save you from saying what anger wants, and help you speak what peace would’ve said instead.
- And as for the men of my past… what in the name of self-esteem was I trying to prove?! Growth is realizing you can love without losing your dignity.
- Build integrity that holds your future together like a boss. When someone tries to rob you of it, hang tough — truth has a funny way of rising to the top, shining brighter than the lie ever could.
- YOU’RE GOING TO BE OKAY. Everything is going to be okay. Stop worrying so much and LIVE before your flame is out.
- Laughter…it’s always the best medicine, and quite possibly the ‘fountain of youth’. Do lots of that!
A Little Letter to My Younger Self
Dear 29-year-old me (and honestly, every age in between),
You didn’t mess up your life. You lived it. Every heartbreak, every “what was I thinking,” every wrong turn — it all built you into someone softer, stronger, and a little funnier about the mess.
You thought the goal was perfection, but turns out the real win was resilience. You didn’t lose your fire — you just learned how to tend it without burning yourself out.
And one more thing: You’re never too old to reinvent yourself. You’re never too late to love better, laugh harder, or start something new.
So here’s to 59 — to the wrinkles that hold memories, the wisdom that came with interest, and the wild joy of still being here, still learning, still loving, and still laughing when life trips me up.
Pass the cake, pour the coffee, and cue the confetti.
I made it this far — and that’s something to celebrate.
With love, hugs, laughter, and probably frosting on my shirt,
Tina N. Campbell | Scribed in Light
Scribed In Light 
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