Many Americans are waiting longer to reach traditional milestones like marriage, parenthood, or homeownership. For those feeling behind, 84-year-old Gail Rudnick has a simple message: “It doesn’t all have to be perfect” to get started.
Rudnick is half of the duo behind “Excuse My Grandma,” a podcast she co-hosts with her 30-year-old granddaughter Kim Murstein. The pair discuss dating, careers, family, and other topics from their generational perspectives.
Different generations, shared fears
Rudnick, a member of the Silent Generation, says she’s glad today’s young people wait longer to marry than she experienced. “When I was young, within three [or] four months — or even less — you got engaged, you got married, you had children. It was what was expected of you,” she tells CNBC Make It. Now, young adults can prioritize education and early careers to “do creative and wonderful things” professionally — opportunities Rudnick says she didn’t have.
But she worries that some are delaying serious relationships out of fear. “I think all the things that young people are doing are usually for the best, except they’re a little afraid of commitment. They’re scared of failure,” she says.
Fear of failure crosses generations, Rudnick says. “I just tell all the people that I meet, ‘Don’t worry about it. You fail, you pick yourself up again, and you do it again.'”
Her concerns align with research cited by CNBC Make It. Many Gen Zers see marriage as a “capstone” rather than a “cornerstone” of life, according to clinical psychologist John Gottman. Young adults often want to achieve certain milestones on their own before settling down.
The value of togetherness
Rudnick would rather see young people invest in relationships even if they don’t last, while balancing career and financial goals. “You don’t want to sit inside of an office just developing portfolios,” she says, adding that true happiness comes from “togetherness” with others.
The push for connection comes as Americans spend less time socializing than they did 20 years ago, per Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Half of single people say they’re cutting back on dates due to rising costs, according to the source.
Researchers say belonging is essential to a good life, and a lack of social connectedness can raise risks for heart disease, stroke, and self-harm.
No deadline for a new start
Rudnick says there’s no cutoff age for trying something new. She points to her own late-in-life career change: “At the age of 79, I went to work,” she says of launching the podcast in 2021. “That gives hope to everybody who, at any stage in their life, wants to really start doing something different. They should do it.”
Source: www.cnbc.com — https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/16/grandma-gail-advice-for-late-bloomers-it-doesnt-all-have-to-be-perfect.html
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Do your own research and consult a licensed professional before making financial decisions.
