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

Had youngest baby, moved into a new field of work which I find fascinating and fulfilling, made lots of new friends, got my current job which I enjoy. Loved the fact that menopause meant no more killer headaches once a month. All sorts of plans for the future now.

Well, that’s great! Maybe you could be the voice of reason and future excitement on these kinds of threads? It never occurred to me to settle down and have children in my 20s, so I’m the wrong person to intervene, but there’s something terribly depressing about someone who thinks their life is over in their mid-30s (though in fairness, @Burnoutqq may just have the blues because of having a demanding toddler, which can be torture at any age)…

@DoraSpenlow — sounds wonderful! Was there anything you didn’t expect to be mindblowing but was?

I got remarried at 40 to the love of my life, as 1 example, I’m now 42 and we were at dreamland in Margate this weekend for a gig so I can tell you there is still a lot of fun stuff to do, you just have to be patient, take initiative and say yes to anything that comes up! I can’t imagine not going dancing etc at my age

From seeing similar posts on here down the years, it often appears to be the type of person who has a very rigid timescale for their lives, and thinks marriage and children are the key achievements. School, training/university, enter world of work, settle down, marry, have children. For some of them, it’s unquestioned that all this takes place in your twenties or, at latest, very early 30s, after which they don’t see any more ‘significant events’ to come. Which is pretty tragic to my view, but, each to their own…

I've been a bit guilty of this but rather than being tragic or thinking my life is over now I've done most of them, I feel like I've had my eyes opened and am really excited about what else is to come. I have enjoyed raising a family, love my husband, have a good career, I've been very happy in my 20s and 30s, but rather than thinking "what now?" I'm thinking "what next?!"

Mostly expensive holidays I think

I'm 71, husband 74. Just returned from the US having ridden Route 66 on a Harley Davidson. Fantastic experience. It's not over 'til it's over.

From seeing similar posts on here down the years, it often appears to be the type of person who has a very rigid timescale for their lives, and thinks marriage and children are the key achievements. School, training/university, enter world of work, settle down, marry, have children. For some of them, it’s unquestioned that all this takes place in your twenties or, at latest, very early 30s, after which they don’t see any more ‘significant events’ to come. Which is pretty tragic to my view, but, each to their own…

Still shocked that anyone thinks 36 is old..

@Doyouthinktheyknow I'm so sorry for your loss, but you're so right. I lost two friends young to cancer over the past few years and it really puts everything in perspective.

For me, I'm 34 and have recently started sertraline and I feel like life is just getting better and better. I finally have enough money to travel long haul and see the world, I have the confidence to pick up hobbies. I've started running and I'm the fittest I've been since my mid-20s (and hoping to eventually be fitter than then). While 26 might have been my most 'fun' age, 34 has been my most productive and enjoyable age yet.

i learned a new language as a result i got my dream job and I had a second kid.

Not for me. I’m 52, and things are getting better! In my 40s I had a baby, moved country, changed career, published my first novel, ended up living in a tiny house by the sea for the first lockdown as we had to leave our temporary rental, renovated our current beautiful wreck, made a garden, travelled to new places, made new friends, had a lot of therapy.

I had a total career change at 45 and my best friend just had her first baby at nearly 46.

I met a gorgeous and well endowed man 11 years younger than me and had the best sex of my life.

Haven't RTWT but really want to reassure you that my life got so much better after I was 36! My situation then was married with DSs aged 5,4 and 2. Middle son diagnosed with SLD & ASD. I was working as a teacher. Life was tough.
I went on to have another DS at 37. As DSs grew older they helped out more. DH could relate to them better & they had interests in common. We went on some lovely holidays. I now get to meet their amazing girlfriends. Now they're adults I have time for socialising, hobbies & down time. I have made some great friends along the way. Hold on in there OP, there most definitely is a wonderful life ahead of you.

I’m 50 and although there isn’t one amazing thing that’s happened since my 30s life is pretty good apart from peri menopausal niggles.

My kids are 14and 16 so can be left while I go out. I have a great social life with women my age who aren’t even close to slowing down. Lots of gigs and festivals. I sing in a really good choir and get a buzz from performing and I started year round sea swimming. I really enjoy our family holidays as my teens are such great company. They’re not luxury but have such a fun time together.

My teens have been really challenging at times due to ND and anxiety but they’re such good company and they sleep in late so I can too. It’s not physically exhausting like the toddler years.

I posted on this thread I’m April about lots of good things that happened to me since my 30’s.

My amazing big brother who really did embrace every opportunity in life died suddenly in August while out for a run and that’s it really isn’t it….none of us knows what’s ahead so we need to make the most of the here and now.

I resigned my job a few weeks before my brother’s accident as it was damaging my mental health, possibly the best decision I have made for a long time!

I’m grateful to be alive, have good friends, enough savings that I can make choices about my career and enjoy lots of holidays.

I became an ultra marathoner at 36!

Went to my first festival at 39 and still go to festivals now at 61.

Found my true career at 37 after 4 kids

Took up running at 50

Ran my first half marathon at 52, then 56, then 60.

Flew to the USA alone to attend a particular festival at 61. Amazing!

Looking at doing the NC500 next year.

Life is what you make it!

I got married, I had my second child, I discovered I had cancer, I've been OK for the last ten years (fingers crossed!), I started a new job, I got promoted, I travelled a lot including Africa and Asia, I made new friends, I've done lots of things I enjoy such as going to gigs, weekends away with friends etc.
Basically, life after 36 has been better than before 36!

40s are waaay better than 20s or 30s ime. So much exciting stuff out there to do op! You learn to love yourself more, like yourself a lot more, and generally relax in your own skin (ime).

After 36?

Had two children. Got promoted. My family moved nearby. Published three books. Developed a second career as a public speaker. Started pole fitness and can now do a handstand (something I never did even as a kid). Drove to France. Became addicted to the Sewing Bee and pulled all my 20s craft stuff back out of boxes 😂

Oops—just realized I already posted on this thread! Well—I turn 64 tomorrow so it’s salutary! Good reminder. I just had 21 days of covid isolation and took up Chinese and Sumi-e brush painting. Its how we live i the intermittent spaces that matters.

After 36 I finished my degree and embarked on a new career. I met my now husband and got married. Did the trip of a lifetime with him and moved into our forever home ☺️

First child at 36, second at 38, went to Venice for the first time at 42, went back to school at 56 and began work as a therapist at 58 and now have a thriving private practice at 64.

First art exhibition at 37. Moved to a great area at 38. Published my first book at 39 (a month before turned 40). Moved into my favourite house I've ever lived in at 42. But the best one has been the primary school years with DC - they get so interesting and funny 4+. He's 8 now and cracks me up every day.

You must be exhausted, no wonder you feel that way!

I'm only 37 so not much to report yet... But I really feel like I'm just getting started. I'm pregnant (1st), halfway through my degree, and considering a career change after mat leave. I'm planning some chilled family holidays and day trips for next year and can't wait to get back into yoga properly after pregnancy. Ok that's not all that massively exciting 😂 but I hope you can find some time for yourself and the things you love doing.