50 Things I Know At 50

Lessons from entrepreneurship, motherhood, rescue animals, and lots of lip gloss

Curiously looking ahead to my next 50 years.

This week, I turn 50.

Though I’ve known this milestone was coming—circle on the calendar and all—it still managed to sneak up on me. I’ve spent the past few days thinking about what this number really means, and how I wanted to spend the actual day.

Instead of the celebratory dinner I’d planned, I’ll be spending it solo, on a business trip, watching the next small batch of Phosis products being meticulously mixed and bottled. Not exactly candles and cake, but it feels fitting. These formulas are a celebration in their own right—of perseverance, purpose, and the belief that women in midlife deserve better. And more.

In between building a brand, raising two teenagers, beekeeping, wrangling a rescue bunny who hates me, and rereading Pride and Prejudice for the 17th time, I’ve learned a few things. Some the hard way. Some with joy.

Here are 50 lessons I’m taking with me into this next decade.

I hope a few of them feel true for you, too.

Some highlights from the past year, some work, some play, and I'm incredibly grateful for all of them — and for you.

1. Menopause isn't a problem—it's a portal.

2. You’re not here to shrink; you’re here to expand. Live (and lift weights) accordingly.

3. I no longer hustle for approval. I rest in self-trust.

4. Beauty is not youth—it's presence.

5. Boundaries count as self-care.

6. The rituals you create now become your legacy.

7. Skincare is not a task—it’s a ceremony.

8. My skin holds every season I’ve lived through—and it deserves reverence.

9. Fortify your bones, boundaries, and skin—it’s all the same work.

10. Joy is an active ingredient. Apply liberally.

    

    I’ve always loved Springtime!

11. It’s never too late to start something beautiful.

12. Grace is a choice, not a personality trait.

13. You don’t have to earn rest.

14. Not all storms are disasters. Some clear space for who you’re becoming.

15. Ritual is resistance to the rush.

16. You don’t need a million followers. You need a real message.

17. Reinvention isn’t about leaving the old you behind. It’s about bringing her wisdom forward.

18. You can be strong and soft—in fact, that's the goal.

19. Experience isn’t a liability. It’s your leverage.

20. The things that scare you often hold the keys to your next becoming

    

21. There’s freedom in no longer needing to be liked.

22. Rest is part of the rhythm, not a reward for productivity.

23. I’m no longer asking for a seat at the table—I’m setting my own.

24. Midlife women are the world’s most powerful demographic—and still the most overlooked. Watch out.

25. Discomfort often signals growth. Lean in.

26. Sleep is the best gift I can give myself.

27. Being underestimated is exhausting—but it’s also wildly motivating.

28. Just because it's never been done for you doesn’t mean it can't be done by you.

29. A good exfoliant is like a good therapist: it reveals without harming.

30. You don’t need to keep up—you just need to keep going

    

    My dog Phoebe is my constant and beloved companion.

31. Like Elizabeth Bennet, I’ve learned that wit and self-respect are far more attractive than perfection.

32. My curls taught me to stop fighting what wants to be free.

33. Hire moms. They get sh*t done.

34. The older your kids get, the more you become a lighthouse, not a leash.

35. You can’t manage what you don’t measure. (Wear the smart watch. Get the DEXA scan.)

36. Courage at this age looks a lot like curiosity.

37. No is a complete sentence. And an act of love.

38. Your energy is a precious resource. Guard it like pollen.

39. If your idea wakes you up at night, it’s probably worth pursuing.

40. The right friends will celebrate your shine, not compete with it

    

    It took me years to get this comfortable near the bees.

41. Don’t wait for someone to teach you — just go learn it.

42. Raising kids solo didn’t make me (or them) less. It made us more.

43. At 30, I raced to win. At 50, I ride to listen.

44. I’ve learned more from messy prototypes than from perfect plans.

45. The things we dismiss as “just aging” are often our body whispering, “pay attention.”

46. Metalsmithing taught me: beauty often begins with fire.

47. Rescuing an animal is an investment in your future happiness. (Except for my rescue bunny. His previous owners made him a jerk, but he’s family.)

48. Take the meeting while walking your dog—fresh air changes more than your step count.

49. A fridge full of greens is a love letter to future me.

50. This decade? It’s mine. 🩷
    

    Cheers to looking and feeling your best,
    Susan
    
    Susan Campbell
    Founder and CEO, Phosis