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Original poster

Late 40s / Early 50s - Is This What You Expected?

336 replies

Dreamsofanidiotmaybenot · 04/03/2026 03:01

If you are between your late forties and early fifties, where do you feel you are in life right now?
Is this what you expected when you were younger, or completely different?
Do you feel young and full of energy, or more tired than you thought you would be at this stage?
Do you have friends who have already retired in their fifties? How are they experiencing this period?
Genuinely curious to hear real experiences.

OP posts:
Fifisneighbor · 04/03/2026 04:20

Meadowfinch · 04/03/2026 04:06

I had ds when I was 45 so at 50, I was working full time for a large telecoms Co, I had a 5yo in primary, my relationship with ex had failed but I'd bought a house and was well into my stride being a single working mum, renovating our home and besotted with ds. I took up running at 48 so I was as fit as I'd ever been.
Financially, my pension was adequate, my salary was reasonable despite no longer doing an international job, and I was happy. Life was full. Obviously no plans for retirement, or any desire to.
I'm 62 now and just considering retirement this year. 🙂

I changed careers and started a business in my late 40s and early 50s. Best things I’ve ever done (besides having my kids). I think your 50s and beyond can be wonderful.

Dontfencemein · 04/03/2026 04:17

I didn’t expect to feel the way I do about work. I’ve slowly lost my confidence and secretly feel useless at my job. Even if there was an alternative, I couldn’t begin to imagine how to position myself in a job interview.

I’ve always worked hard. I want to work. I don’t want to retire. I’m 52.

i imagine the insomnia doesn’t help.

Rummikub · 04/03/2026 04:11

And of course menopause hits harder than expected.
Going through divorce was hard.

Rummikub · 04/03/2026 04:09

I bought I had 30 years ahead of me. Then got given a life changing diagnosis which severely cuts my life span. I doubt I’ll see my children have children. It’s v unlikely in fact.

Meadowfinch · 04/03/2026 04:06

I had ds when I was 45 so at 50, I was working full time for a large telecoms Co, I had a 5yo in primary, my relationship with ex had failed but I'd bought a house and was well into my stride being a single working mum, renovating our home and besotted with ds. I took up running at 48 so I was as fit as I'd ever been.
Financially, my pension was adequate, my salary was reasonable despite no longer doing an international job, and I was happy. Life was full. Obviously no plans for retirement, or any desire to.
I'm 62 now and just considering retirement this year. 🙂

Gordonaire · 04/03/2026 03:55

I’m really disappointed with life. I haven’t managed to enjoy myself. I don’t like the point I’ve reached and I don’t see a way out. I guess my optimism and consequent bad decisions have caught up with me.

Gymbunny4 · 04/03/2026 03:42

Huumm
I wasn't really expecting anything at this stage
I've recently lost 10 stone plus so I'm navigating fashion and finding my vibe ,which is probably to young a look for me ..but anyway.
Menopause has thrown me a bit ,I think it's caused bad anxiety in me .
Struggling with that a fair bit ..I also got diagnosed with autism recently,I'm 53 .
I don't think my best years are behind me
I think they have yet to come .
I'm going to carry on loosing weight untill I'm slim and I'm planning on a new haircut..
Life is what we make it at any age

Original poster
Dreamsofanidiotmaybenot · 04/03/2026 03:28

Terrible insomnia and hormonal ups and downs.

A bigger hormonal imbalance than I thought it would be tbh...

OP posts:
Original poster
Dreamsofanidiotmaybenot · 04/03/2026 03:23

I didn’t expect this much insomnia or hormonal imbalance at this stage of life.

Sometimes it makes me feel a bit low when I realise that, even if I’m lucky, I may only have a couple of decades ahead and I really hope they are good ones. Lately it just feels like life is moving fast.

I’d love to feel more financially secure and to live in a world with fewer conflicts when I watch the news.

OP posts:
Monty27 · 04/03/2026 03:18

@Dreamsofanidiotmaybenot Depends how much rest I've had. You?

JacquesHarlow · 04/03/2026 03:15

You are being unreasonable, @Dreamsofanidiotmaybenot

Could you perhaps share first what you feel?

It might encourage others to feel reciprocal instead of feeling like a participant in article farming.

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