The Internet’s Grandma Has Advice for Late Bloomers: ‘It Doesn’t All Have to Be Perfect’
Many Americans are hitting pause on traditional life milestones, waiting longer to marry, have children, or buy a home. But 84-year-old Gail Rudnick, affectionately known as the "internet's grandma," has a simple message for these late bloomers: "It doesn't all have to be perfect" to get started.
Rudnick is the co-host of *Excuse My Grandma*, a popular podcast where she and her 30-year-old granddaughter, Kim Murstein, bridge the generational divide to discuss dating, careers, family, and life from their distinct perspectives.
Looking at today’s young adults, Rudnick is genuinely pleased to see them taking their time. As a member of the Silent Generation, her trajectory was vastly different. “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*. Today, she celebrates that young adults can prioritize their education and early careers, allowing them to "do creative and wonderful things" professionally—opportunities she didn't have in her youth.
However, Rudnick 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," she says. "They’re scared of failure.”
This fear of failure is a universal hurdle, she notes, but it shouldn't be a roadblock. “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 observations align with shifting cultural attitudes. Clinical psychologist and relationship expert John Gottman recently noted that many Gen Zers view marriage as a "capstone" experience rather than a "cornerstone" of their lives. Young adults often feel they need to achieve specific personal, financial, or professional milestones before they are "ready" to settle down.
But Rudnick encourages young people to invest in relationships alongside their financial and career ambitions, even if those relationships don't last forever. “You don’t want to sit inside of an office just developing portfolios,” she advises, emphasizing that true happiness is rooted in "togetherness."
This emphasis on connection comes at a crucial time. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, Americans are spending significantly less time socializing than they did two decades ago. Furthermore, half of single people report scaling back on dates due to rising costs. Yet, researchers stress that a sense of belonging is vital; a lack of social connectedness is linked to a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, and self-harm.
Ultimately, Rudnick believes there is no expiration date on taking risks, failing, and starting over. She is living proof that it is never too late to pursue something you feel you missed out on earlier in life.
“At the age of 79, I went to work,” she says, referring to launching her podcasting career with her granddaughter 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.”