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

Well I got married at 41 - that was pretty amazing! Was a single parent for many years so understand how hard it is op.

I am 52 and living my best life. I travel solo and with family, pursue hobbies, have achieved a lot in my career after 45, made new friends... So glad to be rid of my periods too. I am finally liberated from childrearing and caring about sexual desirability.

Since turning 36 I've had 3DC, got my ideal job, bought the house of my dreams, got fit, read War and Peace, travelled to countries I've not been to before. Should I go on?

My MIL went to Russia for the first time in her 80s, there's always opportunities for new adventures whatever your age.

Edited to add: Sorry, didn't see this was an old post!

So many things! I had my children aged 32 and 35, now in late 40s. Since age 36:
Got accepted onto a funded programme that took me to the US, Ireland, Switzerland and Germany for training and professional development
Won a short story competition
Started a new job
Made lots of new friends
Had a lovely time watching my sons grow and develop, they are now 14 and 16

I got married, emigrated and had a baby. Then I got two cats, two dogs, chickens and sheep. I learned to drive and learned how to do wood-working, renovated my home, and started a new career, and I’m now my first boss’s boss!

At 36 I also had a 2yo and I can empathise with the feeling of being stuck on a bit of a (sometimes quite lonely, and often very boring) treadmill.
I'm 39 now.
I started a new career last year which is much more intellectually stimulating than my previous role. It's also forced me to do things outside of my comfort zone, which has been great for my confidence.
I go wild camping a lot with my kids (we added a second into the mix and watching them play together is it's own whole amazing thing 🥰 but I appreciate that that may not be relevant to your situation).
This year my childcare costs will plummet. Most of that will get eaten up by the mortgage increase 🙄 but I'm looking forward to having slightly more disposable income to put towards some improvements.
I made some decisions about boundaries in my marriage, which felt scary at the time but I think are going to be good for us both overall and help us have a healthier relationship together.
Becoming a parent has given me some insights into why my mum was the way that she was, with the result that we have a much softer, gentler relationship than I did in my twenties.
It's hard to describe but I feel like my life has finally started. It's still not wildly exciting but I feel very peaceful and content, after decades of feeling quite rootless and angry and unsure of who I was. I'm excited about turning 40 and all that the next decade will bring!

There's only so much you can do with a 2 year old! They're pretty draining and full on. But things will get easier and you'll be able to do more and more with them (and without them). You have loads to look forward to, get out and about with dd, meet other mums and remember they don't stay little forever.

Retrained at 39, whole new career
Very sadly lost my partner at 48 but rebuilt my life, new partner, moved house
Lost a mass of weight and got fit again
Holiday of a lifetime in 2019 with my teenage son, we had the most fun it is possible to have

You're in the small child years - it's tough! Look for other parents to make connections with, they make good friends evfn if they're not the kind of person you'd usually hang out with.

I blossomed, was more confident and relaxed, got better job, was generally healthier and more attractive after 36 and that continued into my fifties. I enjoyed life. I intend to enjoy life now I'm in my seventies but of course in a different way and I don't go to work any more. I certainly wouldn't want to be young again.

36 is a marvellous age.

I got remarried.
It was a major upgrade 😂

I had a two year old and a baby at your age, single parent a year later.

Enjoyed raising them (while working FT). They are amazing people. Holidays in the UK and nearby.
Did an OU degree
Various boyfriends, some good some not so. Some of the sex has been/is mind blowing.
Remarried and divorced
Learnt to dance.
Hiked various summits.

Last Friday I was being driven through a nearby city to a fancy restaurant lunch in a classic sports car, top down, thinking “Stuff you, Lucy Jordan”.

I’m nearly an OAP. The best is yet to come - I thought my life was over at 37.

I’m 36 too - my kids are older than yours and a bit more independent/easier which makes life easier! You’re in the toddler years which are difficult, I struggled massively. It does get better.
I’m travelling lots, which I’m enjoying very much 😀

After I was 36:

My career took off
I passed my driving test
Bought my first house
Got married

I skydived and went to New York to celebrate being 60. Now I’m planning a trip to India when I’ll be 72. And I’m not finished yet!

My Mum died when I was 33 and it changed my approach to life, so much so that things that I'd once shyed away from were suddently not even given a moment's consideration. I just felt like I needed to be more me and less what seemed to impress others and I certainly got more honest with others!! At 35 I met the 'later to be DH' (started as a telephone romance at work and progressed within a few months to a great deal more), at 36 I moved in with him, moved county, changed job and it goes on! So much happened it is impossible to list it all, including appearing on tv and radio countless times, as an almost professional audience guest, so meeting new people, grabbing onto experiences and never fearing the unknown. 27 years with DH and counting! Age is just a number, what do you want to do? Whatever it is, go grab it!

Ran a marathon and did London to Brighton cycle ride several times.

Got a couple of promotions at work.

Watched my dses grow into incredible young men.

With more disposable income, we have had some amazing holidays.

Life is brutal with very young children, things get so much better and easier.

I found the transition from being just me to me and a child (also single parent) very hard, as all the things I used to do for fun were either not appealing or not possible. I think late 30s/40s is a time for discovering what the 'new you' is going to have fun doing by trying lots of new things . I'm 50 now and since then have had a new career, relationship, hobby and dog!

I’m 50 this month with teenage DC. I am now getting my life back as the kids can be left. I’m cramming as much in before arthritis catches up with me. Sea swimming, a Capella singing, live music (with lots of mad 40/50 year olds). I feel like l’ve got more capacity for fun than a lot of younger people around me.

Once your toddler is older you will have time and energy again. What do you enjoy doing?

The forties and fifties are brilliant, OP. It's when you start to get over societal expectations, please yourself, and give no fucks.

What do you enjoy doing, OP? Do more of that!

I imagine that the sixties and seventies are brilliant as well, I just haven't reached them yet 😄

I got married and had a baby. Also moved to Europe. And changed careers. You are so young, ludicrous to think nothing exciting will happen to you again.

i got diagnosed with breast cancer aged 37 and was “allowed” a full recovery which then prompted my to have therapy to resolve my demons.
with this “re-birth” i decided to be more confident and assertive, move my family to better shores, settle them all in their new lives, kept my dear friends close, made new fabulous people who went on to become dear friends too, started my own company so went back to my first love architecture and I am now 10yrs later having a fabulous life filled with fun laughter and love. It wasnt easy, it isnt easy but totally worth it.

life IS fun. It s what you make of it.

Met my husband, started weightlifting, got a few tattoos, started giving less of a shit what people think!

I did my MSc and started a new job which I love.

We went on a dream family holiday which was absolutely amazing.

As my kids have got older I’ve felt more comfortable travelling away to see friends, and have had some brilliant times with old friends.

I’ve got physically fitter than I was when my kids were very young and have taken part in some brilliant sporting events with new friends.

I’ve watched my kids excel in their lives which is its own kind of pride and excitement.

I don’t think any of it is particularly age related, more stage related. When I still had 2 year olds I couldn’t really think beyond those preschool years and life was very much about the day to day, because the day to day was really all encompassing. Now the kids are in upper primary life feels much more spacious, for them and for us.

More confidence
Know who I am
Feel more attractive
Feel like an adult finally
Feel that respect from all other ages
Say no if I want
Don't give a fuck about people who don't matter anymore
Kids are out of small stage
Know whats important
So many!

I actually met my husband when I was 36, which was eight years ago. We’ve since got married, had two amazing kids and bought a gorgeous house. We got a wonderful (if very stupid) dog. I’ve started a business, for which I’ve won awards. I quit drinking and smoking when I turned 40, started exercising and have never been fitter or looked better.

I’m sure there’s more. 36 is no age at all. Of course good things will still happen. Good luck!

Things I did after 36: had two children, went to Venice for the first time, went to India and Nepal, went back to school snd did a new degree at 56 and started a new career. Life is definitely not over at 36!