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Original poster

33, is it a special age?

132 replies

Isthatguystilldroningon · 23/04/2024 12:23

Were you happy at 33, at your happiest around this age-30-33? Curious as it’s said to possibly be a time when people were/are the happiest

OP posts:
Rookangaroo4 · 23/04/2024 17:36

Not really. I had 2 children more children. One at 33 and one at 34. I should have stuck to one!

NoBinturongsHereMate · 23/04/2024 17:34

Considering the starting point of the thread, bringing actual data to the question may be fruitless. However, repeated studies have found the happiness/age curve is U shaped. From around 20 it starts to decline, reaching a low point in middle age, then picking up again in the 50s to peak in the 60s before dropping back a bit in later old age.

So no, 33 is not (on average) the happiest you will be. Nor is it the lowest point. It's a not particularly special point on the downward curve.

DrCoconut · 23/04/2024 17:34

18 and late 20s/early 30s were good times for me. My 40s have been rubbish with divorce, lockdown, health issues, perimenopause, redundancy threat etc.

PeloMom · 23/04/2024 17:10

I was at a very very low at 30-31. Around 33-34 things started looking up but didn’t really turn till 36-7

zingally · 23/04/2024 17:07

No.
33 was an absolutely crap age for me. I'd just lost my dad, only days before my birthday, totally out of the blue, and I was in a job that was absolutely WRECKING my mental health.
I'd say 28-34 were, in hindsight, the worst and most difficult of my life.
I'm 39 now, and absolutely thriving! Generally loving life and really happy.

FestivalFun · 23/04/2024 16:54

I was busy and happy, I had three DC, two at school and a toddler. I had some lovely mum friends and loved my house.
However I am happier now, I’m mid 50’s.

MyOtherCarisAVauxhallZafira · 23/04/2024 16:48

Great age for me, seconded onto a specialist project which has done wonders for my career, got married and then fell pregnant before turning 34

Mrsbluesk1 · 23/04/2024 16:47

Not sure this study was wide enough. At 33 my marriage broke down, I was grieving the loss of a parent, while worried about the other parent. My sibling lost their job and I had to restart my career from scratch. I can maybe say it was a rebirth year, because when you hit rock bottom - the only way is up.

RefreshingCandour · 23/04/2024 16:46

Fabulous age for me. Peak of career, doing something I loved with loads of travel abroad. Had own house and had just met DH.

Butchyrestingface · 23/04/2024 16:42

Isthatguystilldroningon · 23/04/2024 15:30

I think they say it’s to do with Jesus 🤷🏻‍♀️

33 was certainly a MEMORABLE year for Jesus - or would have been if he hadn't, you know, ended up being nailed to a cross.

Not sure that 'special' is the word I'd use.

ShinyAppleDreamingOfTheSea · 23/04/2024 16:41

I've never heard that. 33 I was married and child free. Certainly not unhappy, had the freedom to go away weekends at the drop of a hat, but I recall work being quite stressful at that time. Actually I think now is better - as I have that free time and the opportunity to go out or away whenever I wish again, but no stressful job and I have my adult DS too.

OnTheSeaShore · 23/04/2024 16:38

I enjoy any age that's divisible by 11😁. Can't wait for my 66th!!

In all seriousness, being in my early/mid 30s was a mixed bag. I miss my adventurous spirit and positivity, but life is steadier now.

NewWater · 23/04/2024 16:36

SmallBox · 23/04/2024 16:35

Hobbits come of age at 33. Are you a hobbit? Could be that.

Definitely cheerier than the Jesus angle.

SmallBox · 23/04/2024 16:35

Hobbits come of age at 33. Are you a hobbit? Could be that.

HcbSS · 23/04/2024 15:44

I am 33. Single, and would have loved to have had a family, just moved back to my hometown after 11 years and trying to settle, and grieving my beloved gran. So no, 33 is pretty crap.

NewWater · 23/04/2024 15:34

Isthatguystilldroningon · 23/04/2024 15:30

I think they say it’s to do with Jesus 🤷🏻‍♀️

Yeah, well, the age at which your father/colleague in the Holy Trinity decides to offer you as a semi-human, semi-divine sacrifice to be gruesomely executed for the sake of humanity is always going to be a great year...?

user1567879667589 · 23/04/2024 15:34

WhiteLeopard · 23/04/2024 12:25

At 33 I had 2 very young kids, it's all a bit of a blur tbh!

Same. Was an absolute shit show of finger food and lost shoes…much happier now I'm the owner of older teenagers!
My 20’s were very happy, 30’s devoted to small child rearing (which i wouldn’t volunteer for again,) 40’s going okay…

Original poster
Isthatguystilldroningon · 23/04/2024 15:30

I think they say it’s to do with Jesus 🤷🏻‍♀️

OP posts:
sweetgingercat · 23/04/2024 15:26

Yes. For the first few months it's the only time in your life that you can tell people in an Irish accent that you are Turty tree and a turd 😀

VickyEadieofThigh · 23/04/2024 15:07

Desecratedcoconut · 23/04/2024 13:23

I'm not sure Jesus would be totally on board with this theory given how that year panned out... how old was he when he turned all that water into wine and everyone had a party?

Show quote history

His ministry lasted 2 years so he was between 31 and 33.

Josette77 · 23/04/2024 15:04

I brought home my son at that age! I was 32 when he was born but 33 when I adopted him.

It was the BEST age.

teabooks · 23/04/2024 15:00

Ive always been happy at any age always been positive.
Im 37-38 this year and my 2 children are adults and moved out.
Raising children was the best.
But its my time is now I have no responsibility.
And im having a good time that will not stop yet.
Im so more confident now than what i was in my 20 tho.
Loving life loving freedom.
Yes im a bit smug and why not be.

valensiwalensi · 23/04/2024 14:57

Those were great years for me in a lot of ways, I loved my job and my social life was best its ever been - I was out almost every night for dinner or drinks even though my salary was rubbish, I loved my job. I had confidence that I missed in my 20s. All my disposable income was mine.

But I was also in horrible flatshares, and going on horrible dates because I was lonely and really wanted a partner.

moderndilemma · 23/04/2024 14:44

Exact opposite. The most stressful time: careerwise, financially (mortgage to income ratio), balancing work and childcare, dealing with older parents' health issues.

jerentaloe · 23/04/2024 13:26

I got married aged 33, and I was very happy then. But I was happy at lots of other ages too.

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