Dame Helen Mirren has long been a beacon of elegance, talent, and unapologetic authenticity.
From her Academy Award-winning performances to her radiant, silver-haired red-carpet appearances, the British acting legend exudes a confidence that only comes from a life fully lived. But behind the Hollywood glamour, Mirren is refreshingly grounded.
Recently, the beloved actress opened up about the lessons she has learned along the way, sharing a “few rules she’d picked up during her life of disasters and triumphs.” Affectionately dubbing them “Helen’s Top Five Rules For A Happy Life,” these pearls of wisdom offer a no-nonsense guide to navigating the complexities of modern womanhood.
Whether you are navigating your twenties or embracing your seventies, Mirren’s advice is as timeless as she is. Here are Dame Helen’s top five golden rules for living well.
1. On Marriage: Take Your Time
“Don’t be in a rush to get married.”
In a society that often places immense pressure on women to settle down by a certain age, Mirren champions the art of self-discovery. Her advice reminds us that there is no ticking clock on love. Building a life of your own—discovering your passions, establishing your independence, and learning to truly enjoy your own company—is the most crucial foundation you can lay before choosing to share your life with a partner.
2. How to Treat Others: Universal Respect
“Treat people just like people – every single person, whether they have dominion over your life or not, deserves equal respect and generosity.”
It is often said that true character is revealed in how we treat those who can do nothing for us. Mirren’s rule is a beautiful reminder to strip away titles, socioeconomic statuses, and superficial hierarchies. Whether you are speaking to a high-powered executive, a retail assistant, or a neighbour, basic human kindness and egalitarianism should always be your default setting.
3. Cut Out Judgement: Ignore the Trolls
“Ignore anyone who judges the way you look, especially if it’s some anonymous creep lurking on the internet. If you are that person lurking on the internet, stop it.”
With her signature dry wit, Mirren perfectly tackles the pervasive issue of judgment and body shaming. Her message is brilliantly clear: your worth is not dictated by the unsolicited opinions of others, especially anonymous critics online. Reclaim your confidence, wear what makes you feel fabulous, and if you ever find yourself leaning into petty judgments of others—take her advice and simply stop it.
4. Embrace Fear: Kick it to the Curb
“Don’t be afraid of fear. Throw caution to the winds. Look fear straightaway in its ugly face and barge forward. And when you get past it, turn around and give it a good, swift kick in the ass.”
Fear is a completely natural part of the human experience, but it shouldn’t be in the driver’s seat of your life. Mirren encourages us to lean into the discomfort rather than running from it. Instead of letting anxiety paralyse you, acknowledge it, push through it, and take immense satisfaction in conquering it. The best chapters of our lives are usually written outside of our comfort zones.
5. Keep it Simple: Stop Overthinking
“Don’t overcomplicate things.”
We are all guilty of overthinking, over-scheduling, and over-analysing our daily lives. Mirren’s final rule is a grounding call for simplicity. When faced with a dilemma, strip it back to its bare bones. Seek joy in the simple pleasures, communicate your needs directly, and try not to create mountains out of molehills. A happy life is, more often than not, an uncomplicated one.
Helen Mirren and feminism
The Dame then got to matters of importance, such as how she came to feminism.
“I always believed in the obvious: that women were as capable and as energetic and as inspiring as men, but to join a movement called feminism just seemed too didactic, too political for me.
“However, I have come to understand that feminism is not an abstract idea but it’s a necessity if we—and really by ‘we,’ I mean you guys—are to move us forward and not backward into ignorance and fearful jealousy.
“So now, I am a declared feminist and I would encourage you to be the same.”
She quickly added an addendum to that rule: “Never again allow a group of old, rich, white men to define the health care of a country” whose majority is women.
