What Are You Doing With Your Life? An 89 Year Old’s Best Advice for You

ℹ️ EPISODE INFO

Released

November 9, 2026

Duration

36m

Channel

The Mel Robbins Podcast

Watch on YouTube

▶ Open ↗

📝 EPISODE DESCRIPTION

You are in for a treat today. You’re getting The Mel Robbins Podcast on the go! Last week, my mother-in-law, Judie, walked into our kitchen in Vermont and announced that she’s planning a big adventure, starting on her 90th birthday. She and her partner, John, have decided to backpack around Europe for a year. I KNOW!!! Yes, a 90-year-old woman and her boyfriend in his late 80s are shaking things up and backpacking around Europe. I was dying to know the story behind this decision. So I rounded everyone up - Judie, my husband Chris, and our two dogs, Yolo and Homie - and we headed outside for a walk. And I grabbed my phone and pressed record to capture the entire thing. Which means you’re coming on the walk with us to hear how this adventure came about. I promise you, you’re going to be so inspired by her message: Don’t wait. Don’t wait to do the things you’ve been meaning to do. Don’t wait to call the person you love. Don’t wait for the perfect time. Time is ticking, so if there’s something you want to do, make a decision and start figuring out how. I know you’re going to absolutely love this conversation and be inspired when you're done taking this walk with us. Chris' dad died almost 20 years ago, so I feel so lucky to still have both of my parents (hi mom and dad!) and Judie alive and in our lives. I love listening to their stories, hearing how they see the world, and learning from everything they've been through. And the older I get, the more I realize just how much wisdom they have to share. Today’s message is simple: you get one life. It’s easy to forget that the people we love won’t be here forever. We think we have time, and that’s why we put off so many things. This conversation will inspire you to stop waiting and go for the things you’ve been putting off while you still can. Time isn’t waiting for us to be ready. And look, you don't have to do anything nearly as adventurous as what Judie and John have planned for next year. Maybe there's a friend you've been meaning to call… a place you've always wanted to visit… a class you keep telling yourself you’re going to sign up for… a book you want to write… a business you want to start… or something completely new you'd love to try. Maybe you want to visit your grandson in college or go see your niece's new baby. When you hear what made Judie decide that NOW is the time for this adventure, you'll understand why now is the time for you to do something too. I bet as you listen, you'll think of someone who inspires you. Send this episode to them and tell them why. For more resources related to today’s episode, click here for the podcast episode page. Follow The Mel Robbins Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themelrobbinspodcast I’m just your friend. I am not a licensed therapist, and this podcast is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional. Got it? Good. I’ll see you in the next episode. In this episode: 00:00 Meet the Guest, Judie Robbins 01:12 You Can Start Over at Any Age 03:08 Why You Should Stop Waiting 06:39 How to Make Big Changes With Your Partner 07:48 Your Next Chapter Starts Now 11:19 Don’t Waste the Time You Have 23:05 How to Find Purpose at Any Age 26:15 The Secret to Keeping Life Interesting 31:08 What to Do When You Feel Stuck 33:33 Your Next Chapter Starts Now — Follow Mel: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melrobbins/ TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@melrobbins Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melrobbins LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melrobbins Website: http://melrobbins.com​ — Sign up for Mel’s newsletter: https://melrob.co/sign-up-newsletter A note from Mel to you, twice a week, sharing simple, practical ways to build the life you want. — Subscribe to Mel’s channel here: https://www.youtube.com/melrobbins​?sub_confirmation=1 — Listen to The Mel Robbins Podcast 🎧 New episodes drop every Monday & Thursday! https://melrob.co/spotify https://melrob.co/applepodcasts https://melrob.co/amazonmusic — Looking for Mel’s books on Amazon? Find them here: The Let Them Theory: https://amzn.to/3IQ21Oe The Let Them Theory Audiobook: https://amzn.to/413SObp The High 5 Habit: https://amzn.to/3fMvfPQ The 5 Second Rule: https://amzn.to/4l54fah

🎤 SPEAKERS

• Mel Robbins

  host

  Host of The Mel Robbins Podcast and author/speaker known for motivation and behavior-change tools.

• Judie Robbins

  guest

  Mel Robbins’ mother-in-law and featured guest sharing late-life advice and her decision to live abroad at age 89/90.

🧾 EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of The Mel Robbins Podcast, featuring Mel Robbins and Judie Robbins, What Are You Doing With Your Life? An 89 Year Old’s Best Advice for You explores An 89-year-old’s reminder: stop waiting and start new chapters Judie, Mel’s 89-year-old mother-in-law, shares her impulse to “drop everything” and live in Europe for a year with her partner as she approaches 90.

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