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Original poster

Tell me happy stories of your 40s - did you find love and happiness?

63 replies

Errors · 16/12/2024 20:44

I won’t go in to the woe is me tale, short version is that I have been let down badly yet again by another man. I turned 40 this year, don’t feel as attractive as I used to and feel hopeless for the future. I know 40 is not old, I know I am lucky to be healthy and I have a wonderful son, a great relationship with his dad and a good career.

I think I am looking for inspiration from anyone who has/is enjoying their 40s and feeling great, happy, who may have found love when not looking for it or, even if you didn’t find anyone, found happiness.

Please tell me your happy stories to cheer me up. I feel extremely low at present

OP posts:
rainbowbee · 16/12/2024 21:04

I'm 41, was mostly single for the last 6 years save a few catastrophic situationships. I went to therapy for various reasons and also decided to embrace that it was just me now even though it was disappointing. Well I met someone then. It's early but it's the best I've ever known :)

Original poster
Errors · 16/12/2024 21:01

Wonderful strangers on the internet, you are massively cheering a sister up. Thank you 🙏

OP posts:
Happytoday45 · 16/12/2024 20:59

Oh yes met my dream guy at 40 dream
home 41 wedding of dreams 42 and had SO MUCH SHIT beforehand. Anything is possible!!

MerryChristmasYaFilthyAnimals · 16/12/2024 20:58

Errors · 16/12/2024 20:55

Oh no, please don’t apologise! I want to hear all these positive stories from people like you who are living their lives with such purpose. Thank you

Show quote history

I mean, my purpose at the moment is monopoly go and lounging in PJs - it's definitely not all full on, but I definitely found things for me to do and it's been fun.

My friend has taken up salsa and loves it. She goes to full salsa evenings now and loves it.

Original poster
Errors · 16/12/2024 20:56

BitOutOfPractice · 16/12/2024 20:55

My 40s were the hottest decade of my life. OP you are in your prime. Your prime I tell you!

This put a big smile on my face. Thank you ☺️

OP posts:
BitOutOfPractice · 16/12/2024 20:55

My 40s were the hottest decade of my life. OP you are in your prime. Your prime I tell you!

Original poster
Errors · 16/12/2024 20:55

MerryChristmasYaFilthyAnimals · 16/12/2024 20:52

I'm 41, 42 early next year. And honestly, I've never been happier being single than I have right now. So maybe I'm not who you want to hear from.
But, I love my life, my independence, my life with my DD(11) and picking fabulous holidays to go on. I just want to say it can still be amazing with just yourself and your DS.

When I became single at 34 though I had a few years adrift and lost, not quite knowing what I wanted from life. A friend set a challenge of doing a 40 x 40 list, 40 things to do by 40 years old. It gave me a massive boost. I got a red belt in a martial art, I saw the northern lights in Iceland two days before my 40th birthday with my DD next to me, we mushed huskies in Lapland, I took line dancing lessons and read a book a week for 6 months. I learned to bake a cake and took up rollerskating again. It gave me a complete distraction. Maybe you could do something similar. Rather than focus on finding someone.

If I've missed the mark completely I'm really sorry, I just wanted to show that you can live a wonderful life regardless.

Oh no, please don’t apologise! I want to hear all these positive stories from people like you who are living their lives with such purpose. Thank you

OP posts:
Londonrach1 · 16/12/2024 20:55

Love my 40s...best years of my life...we escaped the rent trap, got dd and I never had so many friends....hated my 30s everything went wrong ..lots of moving, job issues...

HappiestSleeping · 16/12/2024 20:55

Wife and I got together when we were both in our 40's, now married and ten years in.

My life is better in every conceivable way because she is in it.

friendconcern · 16/12/2024 20:54

I didn’t, but DH did. He met me!

We’ve been married coming up to 25 years, met at work and are looking forward to having fun in our retirement.

MerryChristmasYaFilthyAnimals · 16/12/2024 20:52

I'm 41, 42 early next year. And honestly, I've never been happier being single than I have right now. So maybe I'm not who you want to hear from.
But, I love my life, my independence, my life with my DD(11) and picking fabulous holidays to go on. I just want to say it can still be amazing with just yourself and your DS.

When I became single at 34 though I had a few years adrift and lost, not quite knowing what I wanted from life. A friend set a challenge of doing a 40 x 40 list, 40 things to do by 40 years old. It gave me a massive boost. I got a red belt in a martial art, I saw the northern lights in Iceland two days before my 40th birthday with my DD next to me, we mushed huskies in Lapland, I took line dancing lessons and read a book a week for 6 months. I learned to bake a cake and took up rollerskating again. It gave me a complete distraction. Maybe you could do something similar. Rather than focus on finding someone.

If I've missed the mark completely I'm really sorry, I just wanted to show that you can live a wonderful life regardless.

Louve · 16/12/2024 20:52

I'm 40 and although it feels quite crap, I try to see the positives that make us more attractive - not caring what people think, being worldly-wise, good conversationist, and knowing what we want.

Can't speak for meeting someone else but I know that there are plenty of single men out there asking themselves the same question! Don't give up hope!

PonyPatter44 · 16/12/2024 20:49

I met Mr Pony when I was 45, three years after splitting with my exH. He is pretty much the best thing that has ever happened to me, and we're getting married next year.