I'm 57, have kids in college, and I'm also a grandma. People sometimes don't believe me.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
Family posing for photo
The author has two kids in college and an older one who has two kids of his own.

Courtesy of the author

I feel like I'm part of the most exhausted generation. I know I'm burning out much faster than my mother did.

Tech Insider : Business, Sports, Technology
The author with her husband and their children.
The author, shown with her family, says that technology means that she's always reachable and always needs to be on.

Courtesy of Nicole Schildt

After losing my dream job in New York, I sold everything and moved into an RV. It's helped me redefine success.

Tech Insider : Business
The writer, her partner, and her dog in front of their new RV.
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Jessica Safavimehr

I'm a high school senior applying to over 20 colleges. I'm ignoring classic advice and don't care about appearing well-rounded.

Tech Insider : Business
headshot of Ava DiNapoli
The author is a high schooler applying to colleges.

Courtesy of Ava DiNapoli

I left the US to buy a farmhouse in France on my own. The past 5 years have been a mix of unexpected problems and joys.

Tech Insider : Business
Author Jenny Becker smiling in her kitchen
I bought a 17th-century farmhouse in France after becoming a divorced empty nester — it was falling apart and so was I.

Jenny Becker

I got married 10 years ago. When I look back on my wedding gifts, I'm surprised by what stood the test of time.

Tech Insider : Business
A composite image, on the left are four pieces of pottery, and on the right are hand-painted wine glasses.
The author and her husband still love and use pottery from a friend, as well as hand-painted wine glasses received as wedding gifts.

Courtesy of Laura Leavitt

I'm a mom of 5 and spent years doing everything for my kids. One of them told me he needed to make his own mistakes.

Tech Insider : Business
Boy searching in drawer while family at dining table

Maskot/Getty Images/Maskot

My husband and I were looking forward to being empty nesters. Then my brother with Down syndrome asked if he could move in.

Tech Insider : Business
Woman with brother
The author's brother moved in with her and her husband in 2025.

Courtesy of the author

I forgot my headphones when I went to the gym. It led to a great conversation with a stranger.

Tech Insider : Business
The author at the gym with a barbell on her shoulders
The author found that forgetting her headphones when she went to the gym actually led to a good thing.

Courtesy of Mikala Jamison

I've taught elementary school for 10 years. This is what you need to ask at your next parent-teacher conference.

Tech Insider : Business
The author poses in her classroom.
Parents can make the most of their 15 minutes during a parent-teacher conference by asking specific questions, says the author.

Courtesy of Lauran Woolley

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