I recently came across Mary Schmich’s article Advice, like youth, probably just wasted on the young, which you may be more familiar with as the Sunscreen speech. It was originally published as a Guide to Life for Graduates in Mary’s column for The Chicago Tribune in 1997.
The first time I read it, I was in my early twenties and although I thought it quite sweet, it did not really have much of a profound effect on me.
I was still so young and having too much of a good time to fully understand the advice, let alone appreciate it. Yet, reading it again seventeen years later, it makes perfect sense. Even though I stumbled upon it by complete accident, it feels like it was sent to me at exactly the moment when I needed to read it the most.
Serendipity.
I certainly feel some things are shifting in my world at the moment. I do not know if this is because I am turning forty this year and having a bit of a crisis; or if I have just reached a crossroads in my life. Until I work out exactly what it is, I am just going to hold on tight and go along for the ride.
I have copied the Sunscreen article below. You may remember it, or this might be your first time reading it. It may mean nothing to you, or it may mean everything. Either way, I hope you enjoy it.
*****
Advice, like youth, probably just wasted on the young – by Mary Schmich
Wear sunscreen.
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience. I will dispense this advice now.
Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Oh, never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they’ve faded. But trust me, in 20 years, you’ll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can’t grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked. You are not as fat as you imagine.
Don’t worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4 p.m. on some idle Tuesday.
Do one thing every day that scares you.
Sing.
Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts. Don’t put up with people who are reckless with yours.
Floss.
Don’t waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind. The race is long and, in the end, it’s only with yourself.
Remember compliments you receive. Forget the insults. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
Keep your old love letters. Throw away your old bank statements.
Stretch.
Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don’t.
Get plenty of calcium. Be kind to your knees. You’ll miss them when they’re gone.
Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t. Maybe you’ll have children, maybe you won’t. Maybe you’ll divorce at 40, maybe you’ll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary. Whatever you do, don’t congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either. Your choices are half chance. So are everybody else’s.
Enjoy your body. Use it every way you can. Don’t be afraid of it or of what other people think of it. It’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever own.
Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your living room.
Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them.
Do not read beauty magazines. They will only make you feel ugly.
Get to know your parents. You never know when they’ll be gone for good. Be nice to your siblings. They’re your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.
Understand that friends come and go, but with a precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young.
Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard. Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft. Travel.
Accept certain inalienable truths: Prices will rise. Politicians will philander. You, too, will get old. And when you do, you’ll fantasize that when you were young, prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.
Respect your elders.
Don’t expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund. Maybe you’ll have a wealthy spouse. But you never know when either one might run out.
Don’t mess too much with your hair or by the time you’re 40 it will look 85.
Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it’s worth.
But trust me on the sunscreen.
*****
Edited to include this video, submitted to me by a Grenglish reader
If you could impart one word of wisdom of your own, what would it be?
You can follow me on Twitter @grenglishblog, find me on Facebook,
and on Pinterest as Grenglish
Such powerful words (from you both) and the YouTube film you linked was so profound, right & thus moving. It makes me feel grateful and I’m about to go hug my Dad. Thank you x
*heads off to buy sunscreen* x
My words of wisdom would be that 40 is great.
I am happier and more positive, I have the perspective of experience and it’s a good thing. I don’t sweat the small stuff, I’ve come to know there is no point.
Also wear sunscreen because once you turn 40 there is a significant distinction in those that took care of their skin and those that didn’t.
Oh and grey hair is pants.
I had never heard of this before, and as someone who is fast approaching 40 I found it to be just what I need to hear. Thanks for sharing, I will be passing it on if you don’t mind.
I often think of the words from this – but didn’t know where they were from. It’s interesting how some things stay with us sometimes and other things do at others. It’s great to see this in full, thank you. Glad it’s timely for you. My words of wisdom would be – just be yourself – it is enough. The people who mind don’t matter and the people who matter don’t mind x