60 Things I've Learned at 60

Wisdom, Wobbles, and a Whole Lot of Grace

Mar 25, 2026

a large number of balloons in the shape of the number sixty — Photo by Shoham Avisrur on Unsplash

Introduction:

Last year, I wrote this story about Milestone Birthdays, because I needed a year’s preparation to face mine today!

I still remember the girl who thought she had it all figured out. She talked a good game, made good plans (so she thought), and pictured exactly how her life would unfold. She was going to be a writer, a nurse, a missionary, and perhaps save the world.

And then the reality of life crashed in, major detours that derailed “The Plan”.

Sixty years have a way of quietly dismantling everything you thought you knew, replacing it with something harder won and richer in the ways that actually matter. What I know now at sixty, I could not have learned from skipping the hard parts, not to mention that without them, I might never have met Jesus.

So in honor of this milestone, here are 60 things I've somewhat learned at 60. Fair warning: some of these may cause involuntary nodding in agreement. Others might sneak up on you with a laugh. A few might bring a tear or two, but I’m aiming for more chuckles than Kleenex ;) .

(And yes, 60 is quite a list, so there are picture breaks included! lol)

60 things I’ve learned at 60

1. Life is short! And apparently someone keeps hitting the fast-forward button.

2. Life didn’t go the way I thought it would, which is probably better. :)

3. When we find God, He takes us on an amazing ride!

4. The first third of my life was all about finding God.

5. The second third was all about learning to trust God.

6. This final third seems more about living out your life for God. Less figuring out, more showing up.

7. The first half of life consists of accumulating stuff and people.

8. The second half of life is getting rid of that stuff, and unfortunately, the loss of people. (Nobody put that in the manual…)

9. Somewhere in the middle of it all, you stop asking “what do I want” and start asking “what does He want?” (That’s when things get interesting.)

10. There will be a point in the future where I need to choose to die well.

11. Meanwhile, God still has good work and plans for me until then.

12. God is indeed sovereign over everything, no matter what I think or feel.

13. Housework can wait! I’ve recently discovered this. (It’s very patient that way.)

14. Big girls do cry. Commercials, weddings, random acts of kindness, baby animals…all of it.

15. Yes, birdwatching is fun! (Don’t knock it until you’ve watched a major bird-fight at the feeder.)

16. I WILL clean out my house so my kids won’t have to! (This is my hill. I will die on it. Hopefully not before the clean-out.)

17. (I’m going to need to get cracking on that last one. Any day now. Seriously.)

18. Feelings of love may come and go, but love is an action and a choice.

19. People want to be known and noticed. Not necessarily fixed or advised. Just seen.

20. Not everyone is a missionary, but everyone can share the gospel right where they are.

(Picture Break!)

60 Things I've Learned at 60: picture of two women taking pictures of an orange and yellow sunset at the beach — Taking pictures of a Sarasota sunset.

21. Food is overrated! I am firmly in the “eat to live” camp. (My family finds this deeply suspicious.)

22. Ok, cooking isn’t exactly my love language. Once you go gluten-free, dairy-free, fun-free….honestly, why are we even doing this?

23. I will always miss those comfort foods from my childhood. (Back when everything free just meant the food was free!) My grandmas' dinners? Absolutely the best.

24. Do the things that scare you! Or you’ll regret it. (Ask me how I know.)

25. Truth: Acquiring wisdom takes a lifetime. (Which is why I’m just now getting the hang of it.)

26. Truth: Phones do tend to replace people. Be sensible and judicious.

27. God made babies, baby animals, and those cat videos just to make us smile. ;)

28. Feelings are not facts! (I feel like I might need to repeat this…feelings are not facts!)

29. Some things are worth the money and effort. Good shoes, good coffee, good counseling ;) .

30. And some things definitely aren’t! (Sixty years in, I'm still learning which is which. That's apparently also wisdom.)

31. I am much happier now than I was as a young adult!

32. This world is a mess; praise God, it’s not our forever home!

33. The Bible is the only thing I've ever found that truly makes sense of our world, both the beauty AND the brokenness.

34. The moment I take my eyes off God and fix them on the chaos around me, I start to sink. “Eyes on Christ” has become my reminder.

35. You need God’s eternal perspective to live a hopeful life. ;)

36. Understanding how your heart tends to react under pressure is one of the best gifts you can give yourself and everyone around you.

37. Truth: We ALL sin and fall short, which is why we all need Jesus. Yes, I do. Yes, me too.

38. (So, we need to keep short accounts with God and with each other.)

39. Every new day that dawns is a brand-new day that we are blessed to see.

40. Every single person we pass throughout our day is carrying something. A little love and encouragement costs us nothing, but could mean everything to them.

(Picture Break!)

60 Things I've Learned at 60: picture of 2 parents and 2 children with beach attire on a snowy deck — Oldie but goodie…this was Spring Break in OH that year!

41. If I can care for myself today, I will be thankful for these small mercies.

42. When I walk loved ones to their final HOME, it is exceedingly hard, but also a great privilege.

43. Truth: The enemy will try to steal your joy and personalize his attacks. Look out for him and stay on guard!

44. Renewing our minds each day with biblical truth is ESSENTIAL. Otherwise, we drift.

45. Washers and dryers get hungry. Feed them copious amounts of socks. (But you probably already learned this…!)

46. My longing for heaven increases with every year of life.

47. God didn’t wire us all the same, including how we worship. Finding YOUR way into His presence is worth the whole search.

48. Practicing our worship before we get HOME brings joy down here :) .

49. Truth: God is just as present in a quiet Tuesday morning as He is in a miracle. Don't miss Him in the small stuff.

50. Journals/writing your story is an excellent way to heal from the traumas of life! Try it—your story matters! ;)

51. Journaling prayers helps you to see how God’s answers arrive (in His time).

52. Quiet time with God each day is a priority and non-negotiable for a fruitful life.

53. The enemy will do anything to crowd out that quiet time with God. (Which tells you everything you need to know about its importance!)

54. Self-discipline is a muscle that needs to be built. (Mine is currently in training. :) )

At 60, every body part seems to need its own lubricant, specialist, or a strongly worded prayer. (Sometimes all three!)
(The upside? It keeps you humble. And very, very grateful for the days everything works.)
The older I get, the smaller my circle, and the deeper my gratitude for the ones still in it.
A friend who will tell you the truth and still show up? That is a rare and holy gift. Keep them close.
At 60, I don't need more. I need to steward well what I've already been given — my time, people, and purpose.
Sixty years in, I can say this with everything in me:
God has never once let me go.
Not in the mess, not in the grief, not in the wandering.
He was always there, faithful, patient, and good.
And whatever years remain? I'm all His.
Daffodils—my fave!

Maybe you’re younger than I, and viewing “60” with a little dread. Unfortunately, you’ll be here before you know it! Take heart, God is in the business of writing himself into your story, every heartbreaking and momentous piece of it. His stories are always better than ours, and He will use it all.

And perhaps you’re 60 or beyond this milestone…You already know these things! You know that faithful is the only word that really fits when you look back over a lifetime with God. (Faithful in the mess, faithful in the grief, faithful even when we wandered.)

Sixty years in, I remain grateful and hopeful despite the hardships. I know that there is goodness still ahead. Not because life gets easier, but because He never changes.

Here’s to the next chapter with Him, and with all of you!

Thanks for being my readers, I don’t take that for granted!