My 25-year old self could have used this kind, honest essay back in 1984. But my 60-something self is grateful you wrote it and nodding in absolute agreement. I wonder if my teenaged granddaughters would read this if I sent it to them…
This is the kind of information, thinking and “map” that my grandson, age 21, is looking for himself. As he looks to find his way, his questions, direction. I really believe this generation is not only receptive to but hungry for meaning & resources. Let’s be their grandmothers, wiser now and wanting to help guide them. I am so appreciative to Jeannette for providing this insight & perspective, so well thought out and very useful to all ages!
My 60 year old self needed tgis essay. I just retired from teaching, a passion that was blunted by a poisoned system, and I'm happy to have a new start, but started to feel like I should want to "go big," start a new career, try to make more money, play to societal pressures. Dunb thought! I want to delve into my volunteer work and activism deeper, develop new hobbies and be a better cook and baker, write and create even if Im not a great writer, make my house and garden sparser and more beautiful, spend more time with my 5 pets. Thanks for the pep talk, JW! (You probably hate the expression pep talk though)
I hope you send it, whether or not they read or like it. It really covers the bases well. Almost perfect, but my passion was not mentioned😕. I’d still one of the most straightforward kick in the pants I’ve ever come across.
Yes. Late stage capitalism is an empty plastic box. We’ve created that ourselves, the clever, exceptional species that we are. The older I get, the sadder I am to see the natural world shrinking, but also, the more I love it (the animals, trees, mountains, rivers). The older I get, the less I care about my passion or my career, the more I care about the plants and animals and ecosystems that have for so long been nothing but a resource for us to exploit.
This brought tears of recognition to my eyes. The life work that you describe can indeed take a lifetime. I'm 72 and re-finding my love of language, words and poetry that I've had all along but has been buried under the surface of a busy life pursuing various things. Now I have time to go back to myself. I hope this kind and helpful essay will be widely read.
Thank you for this encouraging note that I very much needed to hear at exactly this time... Like Jane Goodall said in Famous last Words: " You matter, everyday that you are on this planet you make a difference." That can also help the hope going.
Thank you for your ability to think and wander and tie loose ends into a bow. Thank you for your appreciation of Jane Goodall (GoodAll). I vow to foster more of her Heart approach to life and less objective torturous Skinner.
We need to retire Skinner & all he represents, forever. Banish that patriarchal thinking & more unfortunate, practice. The Goodall “ model” is one that needs more formal placement in educational programs in psychology and animal behavior. So grateful that it has taken hold in our imaginations and hearts as the eco- systems that we more truly live. One our planet depends upon for preservation and how we find justice and love! Thank you Jane - & others who carry forward the heart-centered, feminist-connected eco-systems ways of becoming & then caring for our world.
Thank you so much. This is such an inspiring essay. Exactly what I needed to end my day in a meaningful way.
Last year, I had the pleasure of listening to Jane Goodall talk about hope. It was so uplifting and motivating — a reminder to start with simple things, to start with oneself. She left the whole stadium of people speechless with awe. I’m glad you mentioned Jane, because your words align so beautifully with hers. This is exactly the kind of synchronicity that makes the world a better place. Great minds think alike.
A simple life is underrated. I completely agree that we are not our jobs, especially when those jobs are just what we do to pay the bills. I have that kind of job now, but it’s my conscious choice. As long as I make enough to cover my expenses, I don’t mind, because my job no longer defines me. And that’s so liberating. So many wonderful things came into my life when I allowed myself just to be and stopped trying to live up to society’s expectations. I only wish I had known this earlier.
I went back to university last year, at 42, for myself — purely out of intrinsic motivation. For years, capitalism and the current marketing narrative held me back, labeling me as old, wasted, useless. Because yes, “finding yourself” and “being yourself” are celebrated as long as you’re in your twenties or early thirties. Then suddenly, the narrative flips: you’ve missed the train.
So, I deleted all my social media accounts and enrolled at university. If everything goes well, by my fiftieth birthday I’ll be a licensed psychologist.
What do I envision for my future? To be more aware and humble. To find a sense of accomplishment — maybe a touch of self-actualization — but through giving, not taking. I crave more meaningful connections while staying actively engaged in my small corner of the world.
But all this takes time and commitment. It’s not something you achieve in a month. We need to make peace with the fact that most things in life take time. The capitalist push to rush through every stage only leads to burnout — to feeling incapable and defeated. In my opinion, we’ve forgotten, and failed to teach our children, that things take time — and that taking time is not a sign of failure.
As ever, a brilliant piece. I only hope that it isn’t just fuzzy older people reading it, like me. Because even though I recognise what you say, it takes you to say it to make me think about what I do and how I feel about it. Thanks Jeanette. Chosen One. Hero.
I run a creative writing class which has mainly older women and a few older men. My oldest student is 90, the youngest about 40. It's been running for 28 years and two or three people have been in it (with occasional breaks) for the whole 28 years. Most have been in it for at least 7 or 8 years and a few have joined in the last couple of years. The writing styles are varied and unique to each person and we all appreciate that. A few have had novels or short stories or articles published, the rest haven't and some don't want to - they write for enjoyment, for themselves. We have a lovely time together. We do playful writing exercises, support each other, and laugh a lot. The standard of writing is high. Everyone is kind and welcoming to newcomers and encouraging but also critically helpful and the standard of writing is high. It fulfills a social function, keeping people happy and their brains active, and growing friendships and support between unlikely people. I love this class more than any I taught at university and hope to die in my chair.
…but the real effort is to keep aside a private self not for sale in the market place. Even if, especially if, you are successful… amen to all of this. Keeping the fire lit inside us is meaningful work, in and of itself, and (and this is no small thing), it also brings warmth to those with whom we share our worlds.
I don’t trust the research about kids loosing their interests at eight- this will be based on schooled children who have been subjected to behaviourism and lost their intrinsic motivation (as Alfie Kohn writes in punished by rewards) I love what you’ve written though, encouraging us to follow small breadcrumbs back to ourselves, without being pavloved out of our own lives and interests.
I so needed to read this today. I feel so tugged at from all corners of the world around me and feel my own efforts of art are maybe not worthy. Thank you for the nudge of encouragement.
My 25-year old self could have used this kind, honest essay back in 1984. But my 60-something self is grateful you wrote it and nodding in absolute agreement. I wonder if my teenaged granddaughters would read this if I sent it to them…
Please send it to them. I guarantee they need to hear it. Give them the context. Tell them you wish you had this when you were their age.
This is the kind of information, thinking and “map” that my grandson, age 21, is looking for himself. As he looks to find his way, his questions, direction. I really believe this generation is not only receptive to but hungry for meaning & resources. Let’s be their grandmothers, wiser now and wanting to help guide them. I am so appreciative to Jeannette for providing this insight & perspective, so well thought out and very useful to all ages!
My 60 year old self needed tgis essay. I just retired from teaching, a passion that was blunted by a poisoned system, and I'm happy to have a new start, but started to feel like I should want to "go big," start a new career, try to make more money, play to societal pressures. Dunb thought! I want to delve into my volunteer work and activism deeper, develop new hobbies and be a better cook and baker, write and create even if Im not a great writer, make my house and garden sparser and more beautiful, spend more time with my 5 pets. Thanks for the pep talk, JW! (You probably hate the expression pep talk though)
I hope you send it, whether or not they read or like it. It really covers the bases well. Almost perfect, but my passion was not mentioned😕. I’d still one of the most straightforward kick in the pants I’ve ever come across.
Yes. Late stage capitalism is an empty plastic box. We’ve created that ourselves, the clever, exceptional species that we are. The older I get, the sadder I am to see the natural world shrinking, but also, the more I love it (the animals, trees, mountains, rivers). The older I get, the less I care about my passion or my career, the more I care about the plants and animals and ecosystems that have for so long been nothing but a resource for us to exploit.
Some might say that that is your new passion.
Indeed!
This brought tears of recognition to my eyes. The life work that you describe can indeed take a lifetime. I'm 72 and re-finding my love of language, words and poetry that I've had all along but has been buried under the surface of a busy life pursuing various things. Now I have time to go back to myself. I hope this kind and helpful essay will be widely read.
Me too. I’m 77 . Never too late!❤️
“if it’s just a pay packet, accept that, and hoard your treasure elsewhere.” I love this so much! Thank you for your wise words..
Thank you for this encouraging note that I very much needed to hear at exactly this time... Like Jane Goodall said in Famous last Words: " You matter, everyday that you are on this planet you make a difference." That can also help the hope going.
Thank you for your ability to think and wander and tie loose ends into a bow. Thank you for your appreciation of Jane Goodall (GoodAll). I vow to foster more of her Heart approach to life and less objective torturous Skinner.
We need to retire Skinner & all he represents, forever. Banish that patriarchal thinking & more unfortunate, practice. The Goodall “ model” is one that needs more formal placement in educational programs in psychology and animal behavior. So grateful that it has taken hold in our imaginations and hearts as the eco- systems that we more truly live. One our planet depends upon for preservation and how we find justice and love! Thank you Jane - & others who carry forward the heart-centered, feminist-connected eco-systems ways of becoming & then caring for our world.
Start somewhere - anywhere - and see where it leads. That’s the thing, isn’t it?
Thank you so much. This is such an inspiring essay. Exactly what I needed to end my day in a meaningful way.
Last year, I had the pleasure of listening to Jane Goodall talk about hope. It was so uplifting and motivating — a reminder to start with simple things, to start with oneself. She left the whole stadium of people speechless with awe. I’m glad you mentioned Jane, because your words align so beautifully with hers. This is exactly the kind of synchronicity that makes the world a better place. Great minds think alike.
A simple life is underrated. I completely agree that we are not our jobs, especially when those jobs are just what we do to pay the bills. I have that kind of job now, but it’s my conscious choice. As long as I make enough to cover my expenses, I don’t mind, because my job no longer defines me. And that’s so liberating. So many wonderful things came into my life when I allowed myself just to be and stopped trying to live up to society’s expectations. I only wish I had known this earlier.
Hello, do you remember the name of the programme with Jane Goodall on Hope? Thank you.
Hi. The speech I attended last year was called “"Hope in Action”.
I went back to university last year, at 42, for myself — purely out of intrinsic motivation. For years, capitalism and the current marketing narrative held me back, labeling me as old, wasted, useless. Because yes, “finding yourself” and “being yourself” are celebrated as long as you’re in your twenties or early thirties. Then suddenly, the narrative flips: you’ve missed the train.
So, I deleted all my social media accounts and enrolled at university. If everything goes well, by my fiftieth birthday I’ll be a licensed psychologist.
What do I envision for my future? To be more aware and humble. To find a sense of accomplishment — maybe a touch of self-actualization — but through giving, not taking. I crave more meaningful connections while staying actively engaged in my small corner of the world.
But all this takes time and commitment. It’s not something you achieve in a month. We need to make peace with the fact that most things in life take time. The capitalist push to rush through every stage only leads to burnout — to feeling incapable and defeated. In my opinion, we’ve forgotten, and failed to teach our children, that things take time — and that taking time is not a sign of failure.
Your journey is at least as thrilling as your goal. I was a later-in-life student too.
Give it as much as you dare!🤩
Thank you, Linda! 💛
As ever, a brilliant piece. I only hope that it isn’t just fuzzy older people reading it, like me. Because even though I recognise what you say, it takes you to say it to make me think about what I do and how I feel about it. Thanks Jeanette. Chosen One. Hero.
well said. most of us are rather ordinary. Fame and money are overrated. nurturing a planet we have made unsustainable to humans is not.
Ordinary” has been my life’s goal!
I run a creative writing class which has mainly older women and a few older men. My oldest student is 90, the youngest about 40. It's been running for 28 years and two or three people have been in it (with occasional breaks) for the whole 28 years. Most have been in it for at least 7 or 8 years and a few have joined in the last couple of years. The writing styles are varied and unique to each person and we all appreciate that. A few have had novels or short stories or articles published, the rest haven't and some don't want to - they write for enjoyment, for themselves. We have a lovely time together. We do playful writing exercises, support each other, and laugh a lot. The standard of writing is high. Everyone is kind and welcoming to newcomers and encouraging but also critically helpful and the standard of writing is high. It fulfills a social function, keeping people happy and their brains active, and growing friendships and support between unlikely people. I love this class more than any I taught at university and hope to die in my chair.
One of the best blogs out there🌻
…but the real effort is to keep aside a private self not for sale in the market place. Even if, especially if, you are successful… amen to all of this. Keeping the fire lit inside us is meaningful work, in and of itself, and (and this is no small thing), it also brings warmth to those with whom we share our worlds.
I don’t trust the research about kids loosing their interests at eight- this will be based on schooled children who have been subjected to behaviourism and lost their intrinsic motivation (as Alfie Kohn writes in punished by rewards) I love what you’ve written though, encouraging us to follow small breadcrumbs back to ourselves, without being pavloved out of our own lives and interests.
I so needed to read this today. I feel so tugged at from all corners of the world around me and feel my own efforts of art are maybe not worthy. Thank you for the nudge of encouragement.