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

Yeah, that's pretty much it for fun, I'm afraid. I'm 50 and found the fun stuff stopped at about 35. You have to get used to a more grind-y and boring life after that. But it's perfectly possible to do so. And you can look back on all the fun you had in your 20 and 30s - happy memories!

I survived breast cancer so decided to start living my life, relocated the family, kept some old friends and made new ones, and now our life literally wonderful. I m late 40 and there are so much to do, and to top it off you no longer care about what others think (except for my teenagers whom I embarrass every single day 🤣🤣)

I love this thread. Exactly what I needed to read today x

Found the love of my life, moved to another country, had a baby, changed career, bought and renovated a house, found a new set of friends... all past 40! Life doesn't stop :)

It's hard to see beyond the baby years when you're in the thick of it, but it does / can get better.

I had 2 babies in my late 30s and so my early 40s were quite draining and I had moments of thinking that nothing would ever change - but I think my 40s have been richer, more fulfilling and less filled with angst (in spite of some hard at times) than my 30s. I became self-employed, travelled a fair bit, moved area, bought a house, moved overseas, changed careers, developed new interests and learned so much more about who I am.

The kids are older and less physically demanding now and they can be a lot of fun to hang out with (when they're not bickering!). I would also say there is, usually, a lot of joy to be found between the ages of 5-11 as they start to develop their own interests, gain more independence and you discover their personalities more and more and they teach me so much too. Just about to head into the teen years, and I'm sure that will bring some very different challenges.

Ecstasy pills

I feel like after the age of 35, everything got pretty crap .
I don't have kids but I feel something changed and that it will only get worse once I get into my forties. Which scares the hell out of me as 40 sounds so bloody old.

Both children born? (36,38), went back to school at 56 and created an entirely new career and was in practice by 60, now having the time of my life at 63.

I'm the same age, single, childless and needed this thread- thanks OP!

@PermanentTemporary @blossomtoes thank you xx

The subject of a song by Marianne Faithfull.

@notmollybutdolly https://open.spotify.com/track/1nzsNRgehbmvD6pHCCkPSE?si=Xee8hmfkSPi6R1bfsSithA

Who is Lucy Jordan?

Completely. Life as a woman for me has only improved with age. We are told that 40 is basically dead because we become undesirable and stupid, it couldn’t be farther from the truth. We* can become content, liberated, independent. The patriarchy just doesn’t like that.
(*not all women experience aging the same obviously)
Some of us aren’t lucky enough to make it to old age.

As Caroline Hirons says, Old is the goal.

that's just incredible. Well done!

I compete internationally in a new hobby I started age 44. Didn’t see that one coming.

I became more confident and assertive after I turned 36. I passed my driving test, had a second child, moved to a new area and got a new job. I also made lots of new friends in the neighborhood and work.

Women are constantly told ageing is terrible. I disagree.

At 36, dh and I were finally able to buy our first family home (after saving for a deposit for 8 years) we moved away from the city to live near the sea ( & nearer family) a year later we had baby no2. We have a 4 year old and a toddler who adore each other.
I passed my driving test 1st time 7 months ago (I’d been having lessons on and off for the last 4 years!) Dh gave me lots of extra lessons, so I have him to thank for being so patient!
I quit my FT job to go PT doing something completely different, it’s less stressful & I get to spend lots more time with my babies.
We’ve just booked out first holiday abroad in 6 years.
I started exercising regularly about 5/6 months ago & already feel so much fitter and just generally feel better in myself, physically & mentally. I used to hate running ‘I’m not a runner’ was my excuse. I couldn’t run more than 5 mins without having to stop. Now I can run 5k comfortably.

I’m 40 next year & these last 5 years have been the most eventful/exciting/life changing. I feel very content and love family life, I’m excited for the future but I’m just really enjoying living in the present.

I’m about to turn 38 and my life is a thousand times better than when I was say 30. I got with my now DH at 33 after leaving an awful abusive relationship, started a new career at 34 which has flourished and I’m just about to launch my own company. I got married at 36 and I couldn’t be happier, my husband is amazing.

I don’t have or want children so this gives me a bit more freedom than you might have but I still go out and do loads of stuff. This year I’ve been to see several of my favourite bands and artists, been to comic con, days/nights out in London, pubs, dinners, clubs etc and not once have I felt too old. I already have stuff booked for later in the year and for my birthday I’m booking a suite at my favourite hotel for 3 nights, stupidly extravagant yes but I’m going to enjoy every minute.

What do you like doing? If I had a child I would take them to kid related stuff and be excited seeing/doing things with them. I love stuff like crafts, dressing up, games etc. It was fun to see families at comic con with the children dressed as their favourite characters. I have very little knowledge about kids so sorry if that last part sounds silly. I know the reality of children is probably a lot different to what I think in my head and they are also a lot of work!

For me my 30s was probably my best decade and I'd love to be 36 again. I've had lots of health issues in my 40s. But that isn't the case for everyone. What is better now is that I'm more settled in myself. I've got crappy relationships behind me and I'm single with just me and my kids to worry about. I've moved up the ladder a bit at work and other people's opinions and judgments don't feel as important anymore.

I started and completed a degree. Changed careers. Adopted an older child. Ran three Survival of the Fittest races. Moved across the country. I’ve just carried on living my life really.

Nothing good happens after 36, it’s a well-known fact 🙄

Really, we had very young children at that stage. I’m now 52 and our kids are young adults. I didn’t go back to full-time work until my youngest was in year 8. In that time, I’ve done loads more study and have really progressed in my career. The best is yet to come for you. OP. It was nice at the time, but I’d hate to go back to having young kids.

Toddler years are hard. You lose yourself a bit as a person when you’re so deep in constant meal making, bum wiping, CBeebies songs etc.

When I was 36 my children were at school and I decided on a new career path, started retraining, started weight lifting and running, I’m 39 now and done 3 half marathons and made lots of new friends through hobbies and the kids school.

I’m 47 and so far, my 40s have been SO much better than my thirties.

I’m fitter and healthier. I started exercising seriously in my 40s, stopped drinking alcohol, lost 20lbs and kept it off.

My career has taken off. I’m in a senior leadership role in a career I started at 36 (retrained in my mid-30s), earning more than I ever have before and enjoying my job immensely.

I’ve travelled to some amazing places (I toured Japan & China for my 40th birthday, and did an American road trip last year. Brazil next year!).

My idea of fun has changed, for sure. I’m not interested in late nights and partying anymore (I was the original party girl/raver!) but I have great fun in new ways. I’m learning a new language at the moment, I’ve got a new passion for white water rafting and walking and I’ve finally started writing the novel I’ve been saying I would since I was 25 😆.

You’re feelings are very likely tied up with being in the grinding years of raising young children, rather than solely your age. Hang on in there!