To ask what amazing things happened to you after age 36?! I feel like I’m old and there’s nothing fun anymore

@adayofsuns

"I’ve been to my favourite country (Japan) three times!"

Fantastic! Japan is high on my travel list. How did you do it? An over-70 friend did a small group escorted tour and loved it. Friend's young and brave grandson took girlfriend and proposed under the cherry blossoms this year. I'm currently thinking about a cruise that includes Korea (S)… All advice appreciated.

Plus, for OP, when you reach a certain age, you may find you love cruising... And, right now, maybe your kids would?

Only been 40 a short time but I've been to two new countries, have booked to go to a third in a few weeks. Took my DCs abroad on my own for the first time. Then a second time! I'm fitter and healthier than I've ever been. I'm sleeping well for the first time in my adult life. I've been performing well at work. Met new people. Went to Ibiza for the first time recently and hit the clubs. Good times 🙂

Good luck with your plans! Depending on where you are, check out: https://www.conted.ox.ac.uk/about/online-history-of-art-courses

I live nearby so have done IRL courses, but they also do online stuff. Generally brilliant.

Thanks, @CrystalSingerFan. Envy. Not retired, so not yet, but I have serious study plans for when I am!

Met my husband at 39, got married at 40, kids at 41 and 43.

I had my 3rd child after 36, I took up running and have run marathons, I started a masters and changed career. I’m mid 50’s now and expect many more amazing things to happen.

How long have you got?

Yes, they were highly enjoyable. I took my assignments seriously. I was retired so I did each 60 credit module over one academic year and have NO idea how anyone can work/look after kids/both and still study - kudos to them. I absolutely cared about my grades. (Albeit a dreadful procrastinator.)

Anyone interested in a taster, including the OP, should look at the brilliant: https://www.open.edu/openlearn/

The only reason I'm not still studying is that government subsides were removed towards the end of my studies and a module that used to cost £700 now costs (wait for it) £3,000. Gah!

Some fun stuff I've done since the age of 36:

Got my dream job
Won a national competition
Met my closest friend
Watched my dd grow up into the most incredible young woman
Been on a cruise
Gone interrailing
Star gazing in the Sahara dessert
Travelled to some amazing places
Become a charity trustee
Become a school governor
Done a master's degree
Learned how to meditate

I'm also way more confident than I used to be and not afraid to show vulnerability these days. 36 is still young... I'm in my fifties now and still have loads left that I'm planning and looking forward to!

Oh, I meant to ask you about your two OU art history degrees. I would love to do an art history degree, also for fun — was it highly enjoyable? Did you do it very PT? Did you take assignments seriously and did you care about your grades as it was for fun?

😘

I’ve been to my favourite country (Japan) three times! I discovered I have ASD and have been doing a lot of figuring of myself out (maybe not fun but has been really helpful). I took up art and am doing positive things for my mental health. Honestly 40+ has been great for me.

Three is good, and I take your point about someone else in the room. 😁

That AMA is worth a read for the replies. I think the OP flounced because no one was admiring the prodigious sexual talents of her partner…

Since 40 I've changed career direction, learned to ride and competed all over the country, had roads trips in Africa and Asia. At 65 I've just had my first go at scuba diving. I plan to do some long distance hikes and I'm starting some conservation volunteering.

I developed a passion for fitness, travelled to many new places, met the love of my life, got a degree, had a baby, beat a life threatening illness, opened a business and made a success of it. 47 now. It's been great.

Ooh, no. My record (with someone else in the room) was three. But hey, I'll hunt down that thread. 😋

You’re not the ‘28 orgasms per session’ AMA poster, are you?😎

I got divorced at 36 and met my incredible life partner dh at 38. I'm a much happier person.

Me too!

OK. F65, no kids, but I...

• went to Glastonbury three times in my early forties. Unbeatable.
• Walked (a short variant of) the Camino de Santiago in Spain
• Got the best job I've ever had.
• Met my beloved life partner
• Did an Art History BA and an MA with the Open University, just for fun.
• Did loads of travelling (Highlights Venice, Iceland, Norway and the (IMO) underrated Northern European countries.
• Grew into my sexuality and started having multiple orgasms.

Enjoy your choices.

went back to uni at 38 with 2 small children to do an undergrad, now a clinical psychologist. Best thing I ever did!

The media really does a number on us - we so rarely hear real life or fictional accounts about older women doing anything interesting! But changing what you listen to can be inspiring as there truly are women doing amazing things well beyond their 30s - podcasts like this are great https://livefeisty.com/podcasts/179-jumping-into-an-adventurous-midlife-with-shawn-brokemond-episode-179/

Alex Rotas' photography is amazing too.

It's quite common in early parenthood to feel the world has closed in on you and many people find their happiness and space for self-actualisation takes a nosedive in their 30s and 40s. But after that people report getting happier as long as they stay reasonably healthy, with happiness statistically peaking in 60s and 70s.

@ASphinx Very true!

Exactly, I'm in my 40s and feel like there's so much to come.

Graduated from uni as a single parent. Became a specialist nurse. Further study leading to a master degree. Became a lecturer. Met my lovely partner. Watched my kids start to grow their own wings which is an utter joy. Your life is just getting started at 36!

At 36 I had an 8 and 10 year old and had been married 6 years. I still live in the same house. Nothings changed.