10 grudges you should finally let go of after turning 60 and enjoy the peace it brings

Here are some of the grudges I’ve gotten over after turning 60 and how good life has become because of it.

Old Family Arguments

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There are always some long standing family arguments in every family. I had carried that resentment like a badge of honor, replaying who said what, who did it wrong & why I was right. But let’s face it, it was just not worth it.

I let go of those grudges and it helped me see the larger picture. Family is family & clinging to those battles cost me good times we might’ve had together. Now I just laugh it off and move on.

Workplace Resentments

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I had so much frustration and resentment from the time my boss didn’t see my hard work or if someone else got the promotion I wanted.

I would dwell on it for years and cry about how unfair it all was.

It was all a waste of energy and I only realized it at this age.

Friendships That Ended Badly

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In my life, I have had several friendships that ended. Either we lost touch or it ended badly. I used to take each one of these as a personal failure.

Now I know that not all friendships can last.

People do change and that’s ok. Getting rid of those old wounds made me appreciate what was good about the time we spent together and made room for fresh, more positive relationships.

The “Perfect Life” Myth

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I used to envy those who had it all: the big house, the perfect family, the dream vacation, etc. I used to wonder ‘Why not me?’

But, over the years, I’ve discovered that nobody has an ideal life. What you see isn’t everything.

Now I have peace because I focus on all the good things in my own life.

Mistakes I Made as a Parent

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I’ve made my share of mistakes as a parent. There was no manual on how to be the perfect parent.

I used to beat myself up about what I would’ve changed; how I was too tough, too generous or just did it without thinking twice.

But I know now that I did what I could with what I knew and had at the time. Getting rid of that guilt allowed me to remember the love and effort rather than what was wrong.

Being Taken for Granted

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Many times, I didn’t feel that people saw how much work I did at work, in my relationship, even with my friends. I’d grumble about how unfair it was that nobody even noticed or thanked me.

But holding on to that pain only left me angry. Letting it go taught me that the joy of giving comes from within, not from expecting something in return. I now give whenever I want to, and it is much better.

The Need to Prove a Point

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Oh, how many hours I spent replaying battles over and over in my head, wishing I’d had the right comeback? I’d hold on to grudges just to prove myself right.

But as I’ve grown older, I’ve realized that being right isn’t quite as the same as being happy. Letting go of the need to have the last word was a game-changer. But now I pick my battles or better yet, I give them up.

Expectations That Weren’t Met

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I held resentments against people who didn’t live up to what I thought they should be; a spouse who didn’t live up to my expectations or a friend who didn’t show up when I needed her.

But I’ve now realized that we’re all different, and that sometimes they’re doing what they can too. Letting go of those expectations has helped me appreciate people for who they are, rather than resent them for who they are not.

Hurtful Words I Couldn’t Forget

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We’ve all heard someone say something that cut deep. I’d replay them in my head for years and relive the pain every time. But I’ve come to realize, clinging to those words only made them stronger.

When I let go of that hurt, it allowed me to see the positive things others have said to me rather than let a handful of hurtful things define me.

Grudges Against Myself

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This was the hardest one. I’ve been my own worst critic for as long as I can remember. I’d replay each blunder, every missed opportunity & every time I thought I had failed.

But I’ve come to realize that I deserve the forgiveness and kindness I extend to everyone else. Giving up those self-recriminations was the most liberating of all. It allowed me to be the person I am today, without having to deal with the person I was before.