My neighbor turned 50 last spring and told me she spent the week before her birthday making a list. Not a bucket list. A "what do I actually need to stop neglecting" list. She showed it to me over coffee, and honestly, it was one of the most clear-headed things I've read. It got me thinking about what really matters at this stage — not in a grand philosophical way, but in a practical, roll-up-your-sleeves way.
So here's what I've come to believe every woman over 50 should have. Some of these are things you hold in your hands. Most of them aren't.
A Doctor Who Actually Listens
You've probably spent decades nodding through rushed appointments. That needs to stop. Find a primary care physician who takes your concerns seriously and doesn't dismiss symptoms as "just getting older." You need someone who'll have a real conversation about bone density, heart health, mammograms, colonoscopies, and whatever else you're navigating. If your current doctor makes you feel like you're being hurried out the door, switch. You're allowed.
The Office on Women's Health has a solid breakdown of which screenings matter and when. Worth bookmarking.
A Financial Plan That's Written Down
Not in your head. On paper or in a document you can actually find. Where's the money? What are you spending? What happens if you can't work? What does retirement look like — really? Too many women arrive at 60 or 65 with a vague sense that things will "work out." Sometimes they do. Sometimes they don't.
You don't need a fancy advisor to start. You need a clear picture of your income, savings, debts, and monthly expenses. Write it down. Update it once a year. It's not exciting, but it's freeing.
Comfortable Shoes That Still Look Good
This sounds trivial, but it's not. Your feet have changed. Your tolerance for pain has dropped (rightly so). And you still want to walk into a room feeling good. Invest in shoes that support your arches and don't punish your knees. They exist. They've gotten better. Life is too short for shoes that hurt by noon.
A Hobby That's Entirely Yours
Something that has nothing to do with your job, your partner, your kids, or your responsibilities. Something you do purely because it makes you feel alive. It could be pottery, bird watching, learning Italian, or training for a 5K. Doesn't matter what it is. What matters is that it belongs to you alone.
If you haven't found that thing yet, our guide to the best hobbies after 50 is a good starting point. You might be surprised by what grabs you.
Friends Who Tell the Truth
Not a huge circle. Even two or three will do. But they need to be people who'll tell you when you're making a bad decision, celebrate your wins without jealousy, and show up when things get hard. Friendships after 50 tend to get smaller and deeper, and that's a good thing. Quality over quantity has never been more true than it is now.
A Skincare Routine That Works
You don't need 12 products. You need sunscreen every single day — yes, even in winter. A good moisturizer. A gentle cleanser. Maybe a retinol if your skin tolerates it. That's genuinely about it. The beauty industry wants you to believe you need a complicated routine. You don't. Consistency with the basics beats a cabinet full of serums you use twice and forget about.
A Will and Advance Directives
Nobody wants to think about this. Do it anyway. A basic will, a healthcare proxy, a power of attorney. These documents aren't about dying. They're about making sure the people you love aren't stuck making impossible decisions without guidance. It takes an afternoon with an estate attorney, maybe two. Then it's done, and you can stop avoiding it.
Something to Move Toward
This one's less tangible but just as real. You need a sense of direction — something you're building, learning, or growing into. It doesn't have to be grand. Maybe you're working toward a new certification, or slowly renovating your backyard, or writing something you've been putting off for years. Forward motion matters. Stagnation is what ages you, not the calendar.
If you're struggling to figure out what that direction looks like, you might find some clarity in our piece on finding purpose after 50. It's a question worth sitting with.
The best version of your life after 50 isn't about adding more. It's about keeping what matters and letting go of what doesn't.
None of this is complicated. Most of it you already know. The hard part is actually doing it — making the appointment, opening the spreadsheet, having the conversation with a lawyer, saying no to the shoes that look amazing but destroy your feet. But you've handled harder things than this. You've got the experience. Now you just need to use it for yourself.