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Advice from My 80-Year-Old Self: Real Words of Wisdom from People Ages 7 to 88
What advice would your 80-year-old self give you? That is the question artist Susan O'Malley, who was herself to die far too young, asked more than a hundred ordinary people of every age, from every walk of life. She then transformed their responses into vibrant text-based images. From a prompt to do things that matter to your heart, to a reminder that it's okay to have sugar in your tea, these are calls to action and words to live by—heartfelt, sometimes humorous, and always fiercely compassionate. This stirring celebration of our collective humanity unveils the wisdom we hold inside ourselves right now.
128 pages, Hardcover
First published February 23, 2016
27 people are currently reading
750 people want to read
About the author
Susan O'Malley
68 books12 followersSusan O'Malley (1976–2015) was an internationally exhibited artist and curator based in the San Francisco Bay Area. As curator and print center director at the San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art, she worked with hundreds of artists and organized more than fifty exhibitions and public programs. As an artist, she made work that brings a sense of interconnectedness into our lives, from conversations with strangers to installations in public places. The impact of her work has traveled far and wide. O'Malley's artwork has been exhibited in public projects across the United States—San Francisco, New York, Nashville—and around the globe in the United Kingdom, Poland, and Denmark. She exhibited at alternative spaces and cultural institutions including, in California, the Montalvo Art Center, Kala Art Institute, and Palo Alto Art Center, as well as the Contemporary Art Museum (Houston, TX), and the Parthenon Museum (Nashville, TN). Her participatory installation Finding Your Center, a collaboration with Leah Rosenberg, was recently featured in Bay Area Now 7 at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, and her project A Healing Walk is permanently installed at Villa Montalvo. The powerful optimism of her work lives on.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
September 18, 2017
A few gems in here. It was interesting to see what people said their 80-year-old self would say based on their current age.
It's sad that the author has passed away before this was finished. I wonder if she would have added more insight into the people she interviewed
It's sad that the author has passed away before this was finished. I wonder if she would have added more insight into the people she interviewed
October 8, 2018
Basically a simplistic book of colorful motivational posters. There’s just not much here, although it is pretty.
February 17, 2016
Susan O'Malley was a beautiful soul who is gone too soon. This book was almost complete when she collapsed and died at age 38, pregnant with twins whom she was scheduled to give birth to in just 3 days. They didn't make it.
Knowing Susan's art and life and then reading the collection of advice from people's future 80 year old selves to who they are now makes the book more poignant. If you take this collection in relation to Susan and her life I feel you can have more appreciation. It would be easy to just breeze through this book in 10 minutes, throw it down and say "Nothing deep or interesting here". But I would encourage you to slow down, take each colorful piece of advice in wholeheartedly, and reflect on what it means to your life and the perspective on Susan's life too. Imagine you saying such words to your current self from the future. If you do that I feel you will really be touched by and learn more from this book than the initial first glance.
Here's a link to a great write up on the author Susan: http://modernluxury.com/san-francisco...
Knowing Susan's art and life and then reading the collection of advice from people's future 80 year old selves to who they are now makes the book more poignant. If you take this collection in relation to Susan and her life I feel you can have more appreciation. It would be easy to just breeze through this book in 10 minutes, throw it down and say "Nothing deep or interesting here". But I would encourage you to slow down, take each colorful piece of advice in wholeheartedly, and reflect on what it means to your life and the perspective on Susan's life too. Imagine you saying such words to your current self from the future. If you do that I feel you will really be touched by and learn more from this book than the initial first glance.
Here's a link to a great write up on the author Susan: http://modernluxury.com/san-francisco...
January 17, 2016
A book of colorful quotes from people of different ages. It is a well made and printed book but as other reviewers have said, it doesn't have much content nor are all the quotes profound. An interesting coffee table book for guests.
February 8, 2016
Though enjoyable, it's not a typical "book". It's a collection of people's responses to the question "what would your 80 year old self want to tell your self of today?" Makes one smile, think and great posters for framing if one chooses to do so.
January 3, 2023
Advice From My 80-Year-Old Self is a series of colorful text-based artworks whose words come from interviews conducted by artist Susan O’Malley in the San Francisco Bay Area. Each interviewee was asked to imagine a conversation with their 80-year-old self and the guidance this older self would offer. O’Malley then created brightly-colored posters based on these comforting, encouraging, and often humorous thoughts in an effort to spread cheer in her community. This was her last project before she and her newborn twin girls tragically passed away in 2016. She was 38. Created in collaboration with a local youth group and the Kala Arts Institute, this work is a light in the dark—a promise of hope and a reminder to keep moving forward.
These vibrant one-line pep talks have taken the form of buttons, billboards, murals, and more and touched thousands of lives. It’s incredibly frustrating to read the reviews of readers who don’t know the artist’s work and expected a completely different book based on title alone. When reading these “real words of wisdom from people ages 7-88,” expect a compilation of optimistic artworks, not a self-help book. Familiarize yourself with Susan O’Malley’s work. She was a wonderful person who left an absolute treasure of an artistic legacy behind. She made the world a better place.
http://advicefrommyeightyyearoldself.com
https://susanomalley.org
https://morebeautifulthanyoucouldever...
These vibrant one-line pep talks have taken the form of buttons, billboards, murals, and more and touched thousands of lives. It’s incredibly frustrating to read the reviews of readers who don’t know the artist’s work and expected a completely different book based on title alone. When reading these “real words of wisdom from people ages 7-88,” expect a compilation of optimistic artworks, not a self-help book. Familiarize yourself with Susan O’Malley’s work. She was a wonderful person who left an absolute treasure of an artistic legacy behind. She made the world a better place.
http://advicefrommyeightyyearoldself.com
https://susanomalley.org
https://morebeautifulthanyoucouldever...
April 1, 2019
Susan O’Malley started the project during a time of personal transition and asked her ailing mother the question (her mom’s response is included in the book). Susan herself passed away near full term with twins (who did not survive) before the book was published. These facts bring poignant context to the project.
Some favorites: “Be bad at something. Perfection is overrated.” - Margaret, 77
“Your heart has reasons your head does not know.” - Rachel, 24
“Try new things. It’s ok to make mistakes.” - Emilia, 12
My daughter (Penny, 7) said, “Read more books.”
A quick read but thoughtful and powerful.
Some favorites: “Be bad at something. Perfection is overrated.” - Margaret, 77
“Your heart has reasons your head does not know.” - Rachel, 24
“Try new things. It’s ok to make mistakes.” - Emilia, 12
My daughter (Penny, 7) said, “Read more books.”
A quick read but thoughtful and powerful.
December 16, 2024
Each page features advice from different people reflecting on their lives at 80. Their words are positive and uplifting, reminding us to savor every moment, embrace risks, and live life to the fullest. The variety of answers makes it a hopeful and heartwarming collection, perfect for anyone seeking a fresh perspective on life. This is the kind of book that encourages us to take chances and truly enjoy the journey.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2019
This is a nice creative project by a social artist who passed away too soon. I am using it to read aloud at a staff meeting before the summer arrives. I'm also handing out notebooks with one of the pieces of advice on the cover, as a visual reminder to enjoy the present and life in general.
October 16, 2023
I enjoyed the graphic format of this book. It’s a series of affirmation posters and it's fun to read the advice from so many different people.
If my inner 80 year old could advise, she’d probably say, “Do it. You more often regret what you didn’t do than the things you did.”
If my inner 80 year old could advise, she’d probably say, “Do it. You more often regret what you didn’t do than the things you did.”
November 2, 2024
Stay in tough with friends...
Be nicer to yourself...
Travel before the knees give out...
You did your best....
Just a few of the wise words from this book that stick with me as I edge closer and closer to 80!!!
Sad that the author and artist passed too young...
Be nicer to yourself...
Travel before the knees give out...
You did your best....
Just a few of the wise words from this book that stick with me as I edge closer and closer to 80!!!
Sad that the author and artist passed too young...
January 2, 2018
There are a lot of words of encouragement here for living a good life.
April 3, 2018
Wonderful words to spark your day. Susan O'Malley had so much to offer with so little time.
January 7, 2019
Motivational statements - would be good for work
March 5, 2020
Words of wisdom from humans aged 7 to 88, all messages from your 80 year old self to you now. Art before dishes. Collected and graphic designed by Susan O’Malley.
August 8, 2020
Just skip.
June 9, 2021
This booklet is good and need time to think about every advice in it.
هذا الكتيب جيد ويحتاج الوقت للتأمل في كل نصيحة واردة فيه
هذا الكتيب جيد ويحتاج الوقت للتأمل في كل نصيحة واردة فيه
March 4, 2025
Flip through it for some slim "wisdom" and a mildly entertaining moment.
June 20, 2025
Uninspiring…to say the least. Very basic quotes you can find on bathroom stalls.
January 14, 2016
No doubt this book is creatively designed. It can be a self-help book, or a book full of philosophical musings as much as it is about morality and ethics. You can take your pick once you are through! Am I inspired or educated or wiser after going through the book? I’m not sure. Then, have I got something to say? Plenty! Advice from My 80-Year-Old Self: Real Words of Wisdom from People Ages 7 to 88 by Susan O'Malley is not at all what I expected. Yet I’m glad I took the opportunity to read it.
If this were a novel, we have an eclectic cast of characters from Catherine, who is going through midlife crisis at 45 years old to grandma Barbara, who at the ripe age of 82 advises, “Don’t ever lie.” Then there is Sebastian, 37 and Karen, who is 51 years old, and sweet little Emilia, 12 years old. We also have forty-four years old Carol, Julian is at 56, Doug at 44, and Bonnie, who at 49 tells, “Make more friends.” Perhaps, Bonnie has learned life-lessons the hard way. We also have dear Pascal, who is all of 8 years, and others who Susan O'Malley thought fit to give us their advice.
Have you heard of this before? “You don’t need to know where you are going,” implying if we are destined for something, no matter what we will get to it or achieve it. But we have so often heard of people who wandered aimlessly, meandered around and make nothing out of it. I think the best advice inside the book is: Enjoy your hair while you have it. While I don’t have much positive things to say about the book, I still love it as my tribute to Susan O'Malley (1976-2015), who passed away just after the completion of the book, in the last week of her pregnancy with twin girls Lucy and Reyna, who also did not survive. The Afterword by her best friend and creative collaborator Christina Amini, “Susan O'Malley: More Beautiful Than You Could Ever Imagine” is a fitting homage to this wonderful human being who died so young with so much dreams unfulfilled.
If this were a novel, we have an eclectic cast of characters from Catherine, who is going through midlife crisis at 45 years old to grandma Barbara, who at the ripe age of 82 advises, “Don’t ever lie.” Then there is Sebastian, 37 and Karen, who is 51 years old, and sweet little Emilia, 12 years old. We also have forty-four years old Carol, Julian is at 56, Doug at 44, and Bonnie, who at 49 tells, “Make more friends.” Perhaps, Bonnie has learned life-lessons the hard way. We also have dear Pascal, who is all of 8 years, and others who Susan O'Malley thought fit to give us their advice.
Have you heard of this before? “You don’t need to know where you are going,” implying if we are destined for something, no matter what we will get to it or achieve it. But we have so often heard of people who wandered aimlessly, meandered around and make nothing out of it. I think the best advice inside the book is: Enjoy your hair while you have it. While I don’t have much positive things to say about the book, I still love it as my tribute to Susan O'Malley (1976-2015), who passed away just after the completion of the book, in the last week of her pregnancy with twin girls Lucy and Reyna, who also did not survive. The Afterword by her best friend and creative collaborator Christina Amini, “Susan O'Malley: More Beautiful Than You Could Ever Imagine” is a fitting homage to this wonderful human being who died so young with so much dreams unfulfilled.
April 23, 2016
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, Chronicle books, via LibraryThing in exchange for my honest review. Thank you.
This is a book of quotes from people aged 7 to 88. They were asked what advice they would give themselves if they were 80 years old today. Each response is on a colorful separate page. I found the quotes to be insightful, motivational, and interesting.
The Afterword gives us information about the artist, Susan O'Malley, who authored this book. Just as she finished the book, her life was tragically cut short. I feel reading the Afterword before the quotes will help to understand the concept of the book. Every coffee table would benefit by having this charming book on it.
This is a book of quotes from people aged 7 to 88. They were asked what advice they would give themselves if they were 80 years old today. Each response is on a colorful separate page. I found the quotes to be insightful, motivational, and interesting.
The Afterword gives us information about the artist, Susan O'Malley, who authored this book. Just as she finished the book, her life was tragically cut short. I feel reading the Afterword before the quotes will help to understand the concept of the book. Every coffee table would benefit by having this charming book on it.
March 13, 2016
I was charmed by the late O'Malley's public art project on a recent visit to San Francisco, where stumbling across these optimistic words of advice was a lovely surprise and a pleasant break from routine. It also led to some great conversations with friends. While the sentiments are still sweet and occasionally unexpected, the book is far less successful. Unlike the companion web site to this project, it contains no additional context for the quotations or information about the speakers, simply first name and age. After a bit, the different entries begin to run together and even ring a bit hollow at times.
July 14, 2016
This book was ready for publication just before the author died unexpectedly in the last week of her pregnancy with twin girls, who did not survive. Susan O'Malley had asked many people, of all ages, what advice they thought their 80 year old selves would give to them. The result is this visually bright book.
A few examples:
from a 45 year old, "It will be better than you imagined."
from a 14 year old, "Find your own truth."
from a 73 year old, "Live each day as if it's your last."
Words of wisdom well presented.
A few examples:
from a 45 year old, "It will be better than you imagined."
from a 14 year old, "Find your own truth."
from a 73 year old, "Live each day as if it's your last."
Words of wisdom well presented.
August 19, 2016
Mostly average.
A few that stood out:
- It will be better than you imagined. - Catharine, 45 years old
- You already know what you need. - Rachel, 24 years old
- Be yourself and do your homework. - Camille, 18 years old
- Be nicer to yourself. - Joan, 85 years old
- It's not a dumb idea. - Caroline, 71 years old
- Do things that matter to your heart. - Caroline, 71 years old
- You made the right choices, you made the right mistakes. - Lauren, 23 years old
- Art before dishes. - Lea, 62 years old
A few that stood out:
- It will be better than you imagined. - Catharine, 45 years old
- You already know what you need. - Rachel, 24 years old
- Be yourself and do your homework. - Camille, 18 years old
- Be nicer to yourself. - Joan, 85 years old
- It's not a dumb idea. - Caroline, 71 years old
- Do things that matter to your heart. - Caroline, 71 years old
- You made the right choices, you made the right mistakes. - Lauren, 23 years old
- Art before dishes. - Lea, 62 years old
March 7, 2016
Don't get the wrong idea about what this contains. This book is full of inspirational poster pages, all with only a handful of words. That said, the idea is touching, and her introduction and best friend's afterward gave me enough meaning to make me glad that I read it. By and by, we can all use a little advice from strangers, and this is a book I can see myself taking out again through the years.
April 21, 2016
This collection didn't truly impress me until I read the Afterward and learned that the author died before its publication; I think paged through the advice again. What a beautiful piece of work that demonstrates how important it was for this author to connect with and learn from the people around her.
March 12, 2016
Bittersweet, this one. The author died -- at the age of 38 -- just as she finished it. Her art pops with color on every single page. The advice from interviewees between 7 and 88 is spot on. Get busy living or get busy dying. Today is all we've got.
March 8, 2016
Disappointing, a list of motivational sentences, not what I expected
April 12, 2016
This book is beautiful, I would love poster sized prints of some of these pages.
August 20, 2016
Read these wise, vivid pages if you are struggling with uncertainty about your future.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews