My husband and I were having a conversation about a list of life skills, and it made me think I should share what we discussed. Because no one person is GREAT in all of these areas. But I believe they are important enough that we need a solid basic knowledge of them.
Quote of the day: “We can do anything we want to if we stick to it long enough.” Helen Keller
Maybe we think life skills are something learned when we were young, and that’s the end of it.
But I consider this short list of life skills to be the ones we need to keep learning and working on…whether we like it or not.
While I focus on fun and freedom when getting dressed, this list of life skills enhances a life that sustains that fun and freedom.
FAQ section at the bottom of the article.
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Maybe you’re not a numbers person. Tough beans.
EVERYONE needs to know and understand a budget.
It may sound restrictive and boring.
However, when you understand where your Money goes, you gain Clarity instead of guilt. You can decide what truly matters, and it lessens the Stress of daily life.
Just like with daily outfits, budgeting isn’t about perfection. It’s about awareness.
I’ve mismanaged my money in college, and it was a learning experience. Life is stressful enough without adding unneeded financial concerns.
And if this isn’t your strong suit, there are people to help.
I googled budgeting classes near me and came up with nonprofits, community colleges, and counseling agencies that offer both in-person and online help.
Maybe you aren’t someone who loves to cook. Too bad.
Learning and USING basic cooking skills will help your Health more than going out to eat.
Cooking doesn’t have to mean elaborate meals or perfect plating. It’s a life skill because it creates a way to nourish your body.
This in no way means you have to actually cook. But you need to buy real foods, and eat them. Heck, just heat some veggies in a pan, add some precooked quality meat, and call it dinner.
Forget calories. What you need are nutrients. And trust me, you won’t get those nutrients from most packaged meals.
References: Why we can’t stop eating the foods that aren’t food
Or check out our grocery hauls on Rob’s YouTube channel.
Insider tip: “Real food” may seem more expensive, but your health is the absolute best investment there is.
Sure, I’m biased, and maybe you don’t like shopping or styling clothes as I do. It’s not time for a pity party.
Styling is important because it’s a tool.
I’ve harped about this many times in the past, and while you may think it’s all superficial, I beg to differ:
–Style as a tool-Use it to your advantage
–The term flattering is hogwash
What you wear speaks before you do…both to the world and to yourself.
That’s why basic styling absolutely belongs on a modern list of life skills.
Sure, maybe it’s not your thing. Again, no biggie. Hire a stylist to put together a bunch of outfits, take photos of them, and then you’re set.
Insider tip: You may feel that paying a stylist is wasted money, but it’s basic knowledge that can benefit you. Besides, you waste more money on buying things that you never wear.
Styling is learned through play, not rules. Try things. Layer oddly. Repeat outfits. Break the “shoulds.”
I believe that curiosity spills into other parts of life in the best way.
This one might be the most important and could be the most avoided.
Understanding your inner world is a life skill because Emotions don’t disappear when ignored. They show up in everything we do.
Learning to pause and ask:
That’s emotional intelligence. And it’s powerful.
I always thought I was doing okay, until I finally saw a counselor. In fact, I wish that meeting with a counselor was a prerequisite before becoming an adult.
Lately, I’ve been following OakLight Counseling, and you should too. Even if you’re not in a “crisis,” we can all develop better emotions.
This doesn’t mean overanalyzing every feeling. It means becoming curious instead of critical.
My new motto for the year: “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.”
Learning doesn’t stop because school did. Maybe you didn’t like school. Bummer, but you’d better get better at learning new things.
Included in this is Technology. If you’re one of those who says you’re terrible at technology, then get help.
Learn it.
Because it’s the future, and you’re going to need these skills.
The only time you won’t need new skills is on your deathbed. Does that sound mean? Ah…but so true.
What I’ve learned is that many folks don’t want to learn something new because they will be bad at it at first. SO WHAT.
Our Tai Chi instructor used to say that you need to be okay with sucking at something when you start. And he’s right.
But along with being bad at something new is the fact that curiosity keeps us engaged with life instead of stuck in routine.
Routines may be good for certain things, but you don’t want to be stagnant.
For many of us, this might be the most overdue life skill of all. Maybe you don’t like biology or the yucky things? GET OVER IT.
We grew up trusting that doctors, charts, and “normal ranges” would tell us everything we needed to know about our bodies. But lived experience teaches us something else: no one knows your body better than you do.
And if you don’t care about it, how do you expect a professional to care more?
THE BIGGEST INSIDER TIP: A person only knows what he knows. Even doctors. Nobody knows everything, so take recommendations for your body as you do for buying a pair of jeans. Get many options, talk to many others, and do your research.
Learning basic biology helps you so that you’re informed enough to ask better questions.
Of course, you’re not going to “know more” than the doctor, but you have a special relationship with your body that your doctor does not have.
Being your own advocate means:
Knowledge shouldn’t make you anxious; it should make you more capable.
And remember, your body is the most honest reflection of your choices.
KEYWORD…your choices.
This list of life skills isn’t about doing more; it’s helping ourselves be more secure and happy in life.
And just like our outfits…it is NOT about perfection. They only require practice.
You don’t have to master them all at once. You just keep revisiting the list, adjusting and evolving, as is the key to good living.
A list of life skills is a collection of abilities that help you navigate daily life with more confidence, ease, and intention. Some are practical tasks, but others are mental awareness.
Because life doesn’t stay the same. Our bodies, priorities, finances, and emotional needs evolve. Revisiting life skills allows us to update how we care for ourselves instead of relying on habits that no longer serve us.
Style is a tool. It helps you express who you are, adapt to body changes, feel confident in new situations, and use what you already own more creatively. Knowing how to style saves time, money, and mental energy.
Not at all. Life skills aren’t a checklist to complete. Think of them as areas to practice. Even small improvements in one skill (like understanding your emotions or learning one new cooking habit) can create a ripple effect in other parts of life.
When you understand your emotional responses, you make choices with clarity instead of reacting out of habit or fear. This can influence how you spend money, what you wear, how you eat, and how you speak to yourself.
Never. Curiosity keeps us engaged, flexible, and confident. Learning and researching whether it’s fashion, health, or something entirely new keeps life interesting and helps prevent feeling stuck or invisible.
Because our bodies change over time, and outdated information can lead to frustration or unnecessary suffering. Understanding basic biology helps us make informed decisions, communicate clearly with healthcare providers, and care for ourselves with confidence instead of confusion.
It means trusting your experience, asking questions, and participating actively in your healthcare. You don’t need all the answers, but you do need to analyze the answers you’ve been given.
While I usually blather on about style and clothing, life is more than just a cute outfit. Even I know that.
I would say that life skills aren’t rigid rules you either have or don’t have. They’re living tools that are meant to grow alongside you.
If you take anything from this post, let it be this:
You are allowed to keep learning how to live well.
At any age. In any season. Just Do It.
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The post A List of Life Skills We’re Never Too Old to Keep Learning appeared first on Jodie’s Touch of Style.
