25 and feeling like life's already over

[Uncontent]

I'm 25, and I feel like everything's basically done and I'm settled in the life of someone a lot older and that everything's a bit flat and unsatisfying.

I have DC, a husband, a mortgage. I'm not unhappy per se, I guess I just sometimes wish I'd played it less safe. Travelled more, dated more, lived a bit more. I'm here though, I can't change the past. I feel sometimes like my lack of enthusiasm for my life is unfair on my family, it is really. How can I move past it?

I guess I just struggling that working 9-5 and cooking endless meals is my life. I don't know what more I want. I just feel a bit flat all the time. Does anyone else? How do you move past it? I love them all, I'm just feeling a bit bored I guess. DC are under 2 and I'm at home when I'm not at my part time job so I know it will be boring at times, but it's bringing me down a lot these past few months.

Well the good news is having got this bit out of the way when you're young, there is more time to do things later while you're still basically pretty young!

The early years are relentless and I know that feeling of life being constantly making meals. Its particularly hard right now as you couldn't even do the things you're missing and that somehow makes it worse.

But you have a lot of life ahead of you - and we don't have to stick to such an established pattern where you're married and now you have to be sensible and practical and have a sensible haircut or whatever. Once we are all free to do more things I expect you will feel a bit better, but keep on pushing and you will have more options ahead of you.

Your life is far from over. I had my two kids by 26 and it was brilliant. I'm 47 now and my kids are adults so I'm foot loose and fancy free. Please don't cloud your present by only thinking of the negative. It's such a waste and you will take away from all of the wonderful things that are happening right now. You have LOADS of living to do yet, you have no idea.

nother person I know and her husband have upped sticks and taken their kids on a round the world sailing trip renting there house out for three years.
Life is what you make it.

It's easy to think this way and become stuck in a rut, I'm 26, DC, DH, mortgage, dog. Everything I've ever wanted. I do feel like ive missed out sometimes but then realise I have everything others dream of too. Life is not over it really is what you make it. We have down days, covid isn't helping. Were going to go on family holidays/log cabins/camping when able and see family members again. Lifes too short to not enjoy and embrace everything (lost my dad 3 years ago) but if you GENUINELY feel this way all day every day do something about it. Take care and kick lifes bum! X

I had my kid at 36. At my age your kid will be at least 11 and in few more years will have left home. You're doing it the right way round :)

Bit of a random one, but are you nearly 26 by any chance? Myself and my friends found that we all felt a bit ‘off’ with life around around that birthday and were questioning our life to date.

One thing I found helpful was to give myself something new to look forward to, and to write little lists of things to do to motivate me. I also regularly think of all the things I’m grateful for in my life even when it all feels like it’s gone to shit and to take moments where I can to appreciate the little things such as the leaves rustling in the breeze.

Im also 25, dh, dc and another on the way. I actually don't regret not doing more when I was younger. I met dh when I was 17 and I regret none of it. Having said that, dh and I have a life plan where we take our children on holidays and when they've left home we go and do some relaxing together. I feel I've done it the right way around and if anything my dc has sparked my sense of adventure. I'm so pleased I'm young and sprightly (ish) enough to play with them, chase them, take them to days out etc and also learn from them and carry those lessons through my life.
As pp said, life is what you make it

Thanks all. I guess I just need to get out of my slump. Yes I'm 26 in two weeks whoever asked. DH is 37 so I guess it heightens the feeling that I'm skipping a decade of my life, but it's a good point a lot of people my age are also at this stage. I'm not sure what is, I should have energy to be a really good playful energetic mum but I just want to sit down almost all the time. It's like I'm a bit depressed sometimes but then I wonder if I'm just using that as a way to justify me feeling bored and lazy. I'm stuck in a job I don't really like, I live in an area I wouldn't choose to live in if I had it my way but DH earns too much here for us to move. I haven't found new friends since moving so maybe if I look for new work and hopefully make some friends things will cheer up a bit

As others have said, I had my children in my mid 20’s and now, mid 40’s I feel like I’ve got so much....a career that I’m able to keep climbing the ladder in, freedom and it’s so nice hanging out with your children who are young adults and having a conversation and a laugh with them. I felt the same as you when they were younger but please enjoy every moment as believe me, it’s gone in a flash x

DC under two is hard work and relentless however old you are, OP! Things will get easier for you when they start getting a bit more independent.