Turning 50 in 2025
I was born in 1975, which means I’m turning 50 years old this year.
For most of history a woman was practically dead by the time she turned 50, but I feel pretty great. My life is in a shambles — I have no job, husband, kids or social life to speak of. But for some reason, I feel lighter than ever. I’m more grateful than ever for the small things. I’m more hopeful than ever that the next 50 years (should I be so lucky) will be a direct response to the first half-century of my life: For every time I was afraid, I will now just go for it. For every time I felt ashamed or embarrassed, I will now wear my vulnerability proudly.
You can’t be a prodigy at growing up. It takes time. And as I approach my own big 5-0, I have nothing but love for anyone who makes it this far.
The Turning 50 in 2025 project is a place for me to send love to those of you who’ve been on this journey with me. Big ups, 1975 babies! We made it y’all.
Pedro Pascal: April 2, 1975
The most famous 50-year-old in the world
Tips for Travelers
My first trips were long car rides from Colorado to South Dakota and Iowa, which we made every summer (and a few regrettable winters) until I was 15.
In college, I spent a week on the border in El Paso/Ciudad Juarez and two weeks living with a family in the small fishing community of Bahia Kino, Mexico — an experience that changed me more than anything else I learned in school.
I took my first European trip in 1999 with my fearless friend Jessie to England’s Lake District, Prague, Florence, Perugia, Cinque Terre, Antibes, Nice and Monaco.
Work trips have sent me to Rome, Sao Paolo, and Toronto. Conferences have sent me to Orlando, Anaheim, Chicago, New York, Aspen and Baltimore.
Life has sent me to live in San Francisco and Austin, with honorary homes in San Diego and LA.
Friend trips took me to New Orleans, Morro Bay, Joshua Tree, Sayulita, Tulum and Costa Rica.
Then I barely left the house for five years. I quit my job and moved in with my mom. I got real quiet. I asked what it was all about.
I heard to go to the homelands of some of my ancestors. So I went to Europe again (London, Paris, Utrecht) in February 2025.
And now as Lloyd Dobler might say, “I can give you an enormous amount of tips . . . many tips . . . English tips . . .”
