I TURNED 50 this month – and was feeling pretty good about things until I bit on a piece of seeded bread and broke my back molar.

It would be easy to freefall into a pit of pessimism, wallowing that it's all downhill from here. But I refuse to do that.

There are plenty of reasons to celebrate being 50. That's five decades of living – so it's worth reflecting on some of the important life lessons I've learned over the years. Here are 50 of them...

1. I no longer spend a fortune going clubbing and boozing (so can afford expensive dental treatment).

2. Wearing pyjamas from 7pm is perfectly acceptable.

3. Wearing pyjamas from 7am – and staying in them all day – is perfectly acceptable.

4. If I don't like a book, I don't feel compelled to finish it.

5. I know the true meaning of happiness: a deep bath and binge-watching Netflix via my smartphone.

6. Experiences are better than material gifts (so if anyone wants to take me to Roots, I'm in!).

7. Friends come and go through life, but true ones never forget your birthday.

8. Food is much, much better now than in the 1970s, but I still have fond memories of Bird's Dream Topping.

9. Decaffeinated coffee tastes as good as the stuff that keeps you up all night.

10. Experience counts for a lot, but you can still learn a lot from young people.

11. Kindness is the greatest quality of all, and a worthwhile pursuit.

12. Joni Mitchell is the best singer-songwriter ever. End of.

13. If you dye your hair, it takes years off you.

14. Dieting makes you boring and miserable; best to enjoy your food and stay active.

15. It takes years to find your comfort zone, so why would you give it up?

16. Slippers are one of your best friends.

17. Politics is complicated and disappointing; most projects fail and most leaders lie.

18. Ordinary people do amazing things all the time and deserve more recognition.

19. Three is the cutest age of a child.

20. Spend time with the people you love and who love you.

21. Bereavement is survivable.

22. Live the life you want today; you don't know what's around the corner.

23. Challenges are good, but don't beat yourself up if you don't succeed.

24. Dwell on what you have rather than what you don't have.

25. Only buy clothes you really love.

26. And if you really, really love something, buy two.

27. Comfort wins over style; better still if you can merge the two.

28. My Dad would say: Look good, feel good. He was right.

29. Marriage is worth sticking with for the long-haul.

30. The hardest part of child-rearing is potty training.

31. Teach your kids to cook; it's great when they start making dinner for you.

32. Motorways are scary; it's OK to take the train. Everywhere.

33. Sightseeing is overrated.

34. Beans on toast is a perfectly acceptable breakfast/lunch/dinner.

35. People are food snobs; there's nowt wrong with Dairy Milk and chain restaurants.

36. Scarves keep you warm and look stylish.

37. Dancing is still great fun (even in the kitchen).

38. Some great pop songs have been written since the 1980s; keep up to date.

39. Want a tan? Wear factor 50 in the sun, then apply fake tan.

40. Bad weather is the perfect excuse to stay at home.

41. There are lots of trendy spectacle frames out there.

42. If you have time/money, it is satisfying to support a good cause.

43. Pick your battles wisely.

44. Sport and exercise are more fun when you do them with other people.

45. Ready meals are allowed.

46. Homes don't need to be tidy all the time.

47. A great book should be shared with others.

48. We don't do enough kissing.

49. Keep your word and be loyal.

50. It's absolutely fine for your 50th birthday celebrations to roll on all year...