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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to grieve the life I feel I might have had?

369 replies

OnceMoreIntoTheBreachDearFriends · 17/06/2026 12:25

Just looking for some advice on how to get over mourning the life I feel I should have had.

For context, I had an awful childhood, including an alcoholic abusive father who died when I was young, and an emotionally unavailable mother who liked to throw material things at me to make up for it. I was bullied all my life including in first jobs, I suspect due to being autistic which I didn’t know until I was 35. Despite all of this I was the classic overachiever, identified for a glittering career from when I was a small child (suggestions as far back as primary school included a brain surgeon or the prime minister 😂)

But sadly an abusive relationship in my 20s and significant mental health issues due to life events put paid to that. I’m 40 now, I have an NHS middle management role, my own home, nice holidays etc but I put in an incredible amount of hours over two jobs to be able to afford it. Single after a string of failed relationships, no kids. I just feel like I’ve missed the boat in terms of potential…

I’m on holiday at the moment in a fairly upmarket resort and spent the evening a few nights ago talking/drinking with a group in their late 20s who all worked in the city, flats in Chelsea, etc. Oxbridge educated (I have a degree and masters from an RG uni but I could have gotten into either of them). I just now look back and think - I could have done that - but my circumstances held me back, I wanted to do a grad scheme and move to London but my ex held me back and I got a mortgage instead.

I know it’s too late to change it all now - I don’t have the transferable skills and certainly couldn’t afford more than a house share in the south (and that’s impossible for me to do). I know comparison is the thief of joy but I could just do with some advice on how to get over it. I just feel like I’ve missed out so much
.

OP posts:
MargoLivebetter · 17/06/2026 15:26

I'm not sure you should grieve for what has not transpired. I think dwelling in the past is not a good idea because it means you don't enjoy the now.

Why focus on what could have been? It sounds like you have overcome so much to have a life where you have your bills paid and some money for fun too. You should be marvelling at how amazing you are to have achieved all of that, to have overcome so many hurdles and be safe and secure as an adult.

We are so bad at congratulating ourselves, but we should do it much more. I really hope your future continues to be safe and you can enjoy fun and friendship and all the good things in your life.

ScribblingPixie · 17/06/2026 15:24

At 40 it is absolutely not too late to follow a different path, reach your goals etc. I am quite a bit older and wish to god I'd started what I'm doing now at 40.

saraclara · 17/06/2026 15:24

Hundslappadrifa · 17/06/2026 13:15

Well you can stop blaming everyone else for everything bad that’s happened and get on with your life, you might find it gets better.

I think it's perfectly understandable to blame an abusive father and an abusive partner, don't you? Or do you think that those men deserve a pass?

ByCyanMoose · 17/06/2026 15:23

grinandslothit · 17/06/2026 14:18

YABU and it seem to be in the water with people in your age group who have had literally everything but even 20 years into adulthood they are still complaining

You've had 20 years to get therapy and make the life you want but you haven't done that. That's not on your parents or anything else. that's completely on you at this point.

You own a home. You have a decent job. You're able to take luxury vacations . I'm sure you have nice things. Maybe practice being grateful for what you have and liking what you have to start with.

There’s no indication from your post that you have overcome even half the things OP has overcome to achieve what she has, but more than 20 years into adulthood, you still can’t express yourself courteously. That’s completely on you at this point.

Grow up.

Movinnggbug · 17/06/2026 15:20

I voted YABU Because you wrote “I know it’s too late to change that”. It’s not too late to change anything. You’re in the middle of your life.

What do you want? What did you dream of being?

You clearly have the means to be able to afford evening training to become it if it’s a job?

Where do you want to live?

It’s not too late. Either get therapy to help you be happy with what you’ve got or make a change to get what you want otherwise you’ll be sitting at the end of your life wishing you’d done this now - because, by then, 40 will seem young.

Dragonscaledaisy · 17/06/2026 15:20

StressyMcStressFace · 17/06/2026 13:00

What has this got to do with anything? Property ownership is not the key to a happy life

For a lot of people, it's no doubt a key component. That and being debt free contribute hugely to my sense of security, wellbeing and lack of worry and stress.

0ddsocks · 17/06/2026 15:19

SL2924 · 17/06/2026 13:44

Read the midnight library

thirded

NovaF · 17/06/2026 15:18

The average age that people change careers is 43. Plenty of people retrain. Lots of people adopt. You own your own house, are financially solvent and have solid work history behind you, and it sounds like you go on great holidays so can afford what you want. Please don't write the rest of your life away the best is yet to come x

Ceelee29 · 17/06/2026 15:18

Happiness = expectations - reality
be grateful for what you have. Someone is jealous of another person driving a Ferrari, meanwhile someone would do anything to own a bicycle!

Nangula · 17/06/2026 15:13

@OnceMoreIntoTheBreachDearFriends it sounds like you’ve experienced lots of challenges and I’m sorry about that.

However, the main thing that comes across from reading your posts is that you seem quite scared of the world. Successful people really aren’t always the cleverest or most privilege. A huge factor in success is being bold and brave, and taking risks. I understand why you feel the way you do, but until you can see the world as yours to eat, you are going to feel stuck, I think.

Twosheep · 17/06/2026 15:12

DorisTheFinkasaurus · 17/06/2026 14:20

You have missed no boats. You're on the boat. You've just navigated life's waters, good and bad.
You seem to be wanting to reach for more and more, despite your fantastic achievements. You seem to regret not having more or being more of what and who you already are.

When I was your age, OP, I came up against two things: Childhood shit that most of us have a history of, and also, my terrible, abusive marriage that I continued to stay in until my ex-husband was actually arrested and imprisoned for his abuse. That was five years ago. I was just coming up on 50 when life imploded. And then I was at ground zero. I had to scrape my way out of a monumental existential crisis. I never mock anyone else's. And that is exactly what you are experiencing now: An existential crisis.

It seems to me that from a young age, your life map was plotted by others who took ownership of your personal expectations before you could even form them. And you've only known to answer to that call ever since.
Also, it has to be said that there is something extremely, densely damaging when our closest people of trust are also our abusers, telling us what to do, how to be, who to become.

An unexemplary alcoholic father and a negligent mother as your mentors and guides is an oxymoron you're continuing to live out. Abuser as healer or pathfinder never works. And I have learned that the road to success is often paved with bad parenting or bad examples handed to us by inept mentors thus creating lifelong dysfunction. All of us face this to some degree. Not one soul on this planet gets a free pass.

I wonder if you really regret, really truly grieve needing/wanting more success, more out of life, or if you just haven't learned how to turn down life's noise. The past can be bombastic. Learn to turn it down and turn down the voices that dominate it.
You need less of everything, not more.

We overuse the word 'radical' as in radical acceptance, radical kindness, radical whatever... it's a bit bullshitty, I know, but there is a time and a place when we do need to sit with our human experience and radically accept what is, what was, what has shaped us, what has damaged and harmed us, and what has been the making of us. And then you sort of have to extract the finer points of those experiences and condense them into something that is digestible; totally and utterly and wholly accepted and understood and even cherished. Everything is a lesson. Everything is a gift that teaches us something. You don't have to be happy about it or say it was ok that bad shit happened... just understand that our human experience and our time here on earth is just that, an experience. You're not meant to get it right. That's not at all the point, I believe anyway.
Maybe 40 is your time to start travelling inward... soul searching time. Less is more. When you understand what that means, your inner world expands in ways our material world cannot.

You are you. You are your own entity. Your path is yours alone. Your human experience is yours alone. And that can't be changed. But it can be accepted, respected, and nurtured, and explored. And then comes a deep and meaningful, purposeful enjoyment of being alive. But you've got to do the work, OP. It starts with you.

Wow you can really write!! These are beautiful, powerful words

Mumofsondownunder · 17/06/2026 15:11

OnceMoreIntoTheBreachDearFriends · 17/06/2026 12:25

Just looking for some advice on how to get over mourning the life I feel I should have had.

For context, I had an awful childhood, including an alcoholic abusive father who died when I was young, and an emotionally unavailable mother who liked to throw material things at me to make up for it. I was bullied all my life including in first jobs, I suspect due to being autistic which I didn’t know until I was 35. Despite all of this I was the classic overachiever, identified for a glittering career from when I was a small child (suggestions as far back as primary school included a brain surgeon or the prime minister 😂)

But sadly an abusive relationship in my 20s and significant mental health issues due to life events put paid to that. I’m 40 now, I have an NHS middle management role, my own home, nice holidays etc but I put in an incredible amount of hours over two jobs to be able to afford it. Single after a string of failed relationships, no kids. I just feel like I’ve missed the boat in terms of potential…

I’m on holiday at the moment in a fairly upmarket resort and spent the evening a few nights ago talking/drinking with a group in their late 20s who all worked in the city, flats in Chelsea, etc. Oxbridge educated (I have a degree and masters from an RG uni but I could have gotten into either of them). I just now look back and think - I could have done that - but my circumstances held me back, I wanted to do a grad scheme and move to London but my ex held me back and I got a mortgage instead.

I know it’s too late to change it all now - I don’t have the transferable skills and certainly couldn’t afford more than a house share in the south (and that’s impossible for me to do). I know comparison is the thief of joy but I could just do with some advice on how to get over it. I just feel like I’ve missed out so much
.

It seems to me that you have done remarkably well, particularly considering the difficulties you have faced. Problem is, you are comparing the inside of you with the outside of everybody else. Can you try to celebrate what you have achieved, and the pleasant and responsible life you are leading ? Also, maybe try some therapy to work through your feelings. You would never talk to another person the way you are doing to yourself - try to be kinder to yourself and seek some meaningful things you can do in your own life to make yourself happy. Nobody lives the perfect life; the clever option is to try to be content with what you have - and tbh what you have sounds pretty OK to me x

Londonwelshie · 17/06/2026 15:07

Sorry to hear of your life struggles - I’m sure it has made you very resilient though.

I think often the what ifs and regrets are hardest to deal with. We’re all dealt the hand we are dealt and can’t change that. Perhaps reframe it that the young you, going through all that pain through no fault of her own, has been able to take the steps needed to free present you from abuse and build a stable income.

I had a tough(ish) childhood but got the glittering 15-year career and did the London city jobs and all else, but horrific ADHD and trauma related burnout have had to pack it all in. And now we are downsizing and relocating for simpler life, but wish I hadn’t gone out in the shameful blaze of glory like I did.

That’s just to say, if you had got the amazing career - it doesn’t necessarily mean you’d have been happier or life would have been easier. I’ve been running on pure stress for 15 years since starting my career as a post grad. It was fun and doable in my 20s but takes its toll over time.

OnceMoreIntoTheBreachDearFriends · 17/06/2026 15:07

Oh and I absolutely don’t want to set up my own business, but thanks to those of you who have suggested it

OP posts:
EndlessTreadmill · 17/06/2026 15:05

Intelligence isn't everything. You may have relatively low EQ (maybe due to being autistic), and that would have held you back regardless.

The way I would look at it, is 40 isn't too late. Especially if you are a grafter and child free, that gives you MORE opportunity to succeed, as you have more freedom and the right attitude. I met a woman last week who worked in middle management in a large manufacturing company (think Cadburys type of thing) in a variety of jobs from manufacturing to HR. Then (and I'm not sure how) she got the idea to start her own business doing workshops around what businesses and brands stand for, and how to align people behind that. She charges £50k per project, and I reckon it's about 3-4 weeks work at most (probably less than that, as she has been doing it for about 20 years now). She lives in a mansion and has a Ferrari!!! (and generally did not seem that impressive).
So, there is still hope - can you progress in your career, is there a transferable skill you could use to set up a business in some way, can you move to the private sector, etc etc. 40 is not 60. If I didn't have kids, in my mid/late 30s I would have retrained as a lawyer. But I had 3 under 4, couldn't have done it, and now I am 50 it's too late, don't have the mental energy.
Also, you can channel your sense of achievement into other things. For instance, my DH has gone crazy with exercise, training for ironman and the likes. In a stagnant career, this is what he feels really proud of.

Holdonforsummer · 17/06/2026 14:59

Spend some time with people less fortunate than you. Volunteer at a soup kitchen. Work in a food bank. It might realise how much you have.

DorisTheFinkasaurus · 17/06/2026 14:58

MidnightMeltdown · 17/06/2026 14:56

No, but I’m now intrigued… 🤔

It's a great film. But the beauty of it would be totally obliterated were it set in London with some roadman as the cleaner. Although, that could be entertaining in itself. 😆

MidnightMeltdown · 17/06/2026 14:56

DorisTheFinkasaurus · 17/06/2026 14:40

You could have been in your situation with no academic abilities, and be stuck in a dead end job scrubbing toilets

Have you seen the film Perfect Days? Mind you, those are Tokyo toilets. If the film were called Perfect Days, A London Story, the vibe would be completely different and the ending would be terrible. 😆

No, but I’m now intrigued… 🤔

pinkpony88 · 17/06/2026 14:53

I can see how you think things might have been better if your life had been different but it might not have been. Also you are only halfway through your life but you’re talking like it’s over? The question you need to be asking is what are you going to do with the next 40 years?

WaterBubblesWonkyFruit · 17/06/2026 14:49

OnceMoreIntoTheBreachDearFriends · 17/06/2026 14:10

I literally cannot afford to move to a city, my autism means I can’t house share, my mortgage is currently £800 a month which would get me nothing and I literally don’t have a spare penny to be able to pay more (I also have debt and two cats who I can’t give up)

I suppose right now I just need the chance to progress in my career from where I am now but it’s impossible when there’s cuts left right and centre and those jobs are never being advertised. It’s not that I’m being held back from doing them or can’t get those jobs, they just don’t exist at the moment

Again, I think you would do better to try to build a picture of what you would like your life to be like, rather than focusing on what you don't like. Cities and house shares are just examples based on your opening post. You're more likely to be able to make changes once you've worked out what you actually want.

ForeverDelayedEpiphany · 17/06/2026 14:49

OP.

My life was changed a decade ago after I had a head injury and post concussion syndrome before being injured permanently by an off label antipsychotic prescribed for severe insomnia and anxiety. It gave me a movement disorder called tardive dyskinesia that is a bit like Tourette's and Parkinson's disease combined.

I have wasted many hours (possibly months or even years) dwelling on what ifs and woe is me, but I'm still making the most of my life. I lost my full health but I am still here.

I have 3 beautiful children, a husband who loves me, my parents are still healthy and alive, I WFH in a part time job... yes, life is precious, and i could benefit from being slimmer and less perimenopausal, but i tell myself to really try and be grateful for lots of good things.

You can only control the now, the loss of anything in the past is just that - in the past. Dwelling on it entirely won't change it or benefit you.

I think there's even scientific evidence of how gratitude reshapes neural pathways, making the brain focus less on the negative.

Life is what it is. There is always something to be grateful for every day.

OnceMoreIntoTheBreachDearFriends · 17/06/2026 14:49

Sorry just to add a couple more things, I may need to resurrect this thread when I’m back home as struggling on the mobile app to reply to everyone.

I’ve always suffered with endometriosis and probably was unable to have kids so I had a hysterectomy last year. My menopause is well managed with HRT but not sure if it’s impacting the way I’m feeling. I never really wanted kids anyway but that also makes it more difficult to meet someone as often at my age they want kids or have young kids (or already have ED issues which is another story entirely!)

I have had therapy. A ton of therapy. Several rounds of CBT (not effective in autism) DBT (after misdiagnosis of my autism as BPD), CAT therapy. It’s helped but it can’t take away these feelings. I’m not trying to blame others for the way my life has turned out, but I know things would have been different had my dad not died, or my ex been abusive, as they were the main triggers leading to my depression and two suicide attempts (along with a serious accident that left me needing reconstructive surgery and years of learning acceptance that I would always look different from how I did previously)

I’ve tried to do as much as I can to further my career - taken secondments, additional qualifications etc - but the jobs aren’t there. My main job pays my bills, my second is fun money.

OP posts:
january1244 · 17/06/2026 14:42

I think what do you want now? Make a list, and see what’s achievable.

I did the living in London (in flat and house shares) and have a job there still. Honestly the cost of living was so high, and it was only in my mid 30’s I was able to buy anything despite having a 6 figure salary. I was paying £1500 rent in a house share. My friend’s similar. We had children later, late 30’s/early 40’s as a result. I feel burnt out.

It’s still possible for you if you want children. I met women in their early 40’s doing it alone with sperm donors when I had my first. If that’s what you want. Otherwise look at career, travel, new skills, new groups you can join.

Im

I’m a similar age to you and I think it is common for turning 40 to be a big thing where you take stock. More so than previous big birthdays

DorisTheFinkasaurus · 17/06/2026 14:40

You could have been in your situation with no academic abilities, and be stuck in a dead end job scrubbing toilets

Have you seen the film Perfect Days? Mind you, those are Tokyo toilets. If the film were called Perfect Days, A London Story, the vibe would be completely different and the ending would be terrible. 😆

MidnightMeltdown · 17/06/2026 14:38

Hmmm… there seems to be a lot of blaming everyone else for not achieving what you wanted in life. Maybe you would have done better without them, maybe you wouldn’t have. A lot in life is down to chance, including whether or not you are born with a high IQ. You could have been in your situation with no academic abilities, and be stuck in a dead end job scrubbing toilets. Focus on the things you do have.