I'm 32 years old. What advise do you wish you were given at this age?

[ThirtyTwo1988]

I am married, with one child. I have a decent job, but still renting. Diagnosed anxiety disorder, but generally happy and confident. Lots of acquaintances, but little close friends (if any).

Any life advice?

Don’t stop work to look after the kids unless you’re in a very secure position - not financially but in terms of your qualifications and career.

Also: pelvic floor exercises!!!

...apart from your own husband of course.

I’m 46 now and at your age was renting and single. I now have 3dc and a mortgage.
Definitely get on the property ladder as soon as you can - it gives you security knowing you’re building equity that nobody can take away from you. Get a pension. Don’t think you’re too old to go for your dream career

I'm (only just) 33, married with 2 DC and still renting.
Our (mine and DHs) main goals are to buy a house by 35 - so this year is going to be all about saving money and keeping an eye out for better jobs.

I also want to make sure I get enough fresh air/exercise this year (tricky as wfh and everything is shut atm)

Personal development wise...I'm working on mine and the DCs Italian.

@2021hastobebetter

Move now to where you want to retire. Not in 30 years. Build up a network there. Guard your finances. Don't take your eye off the ball. Exercise. Read.

This is interesting. How do you decide where to move to for kids to grow up and retire in? I work FT, parents different country, and feel estranged from anywhere I've lived in.

Pension / savings / exercise / friendships / health. Start looking after yourself now, if you don’t already. Time drifts part past at this stage in life!

If you can find a way to buy a house then do. Make sure whatever set up you have at home is fair & protects you financially.

Stop worrying about what people think about you.

Spend time with older relatives while you have them.

Invest in yourself outside of being a mother. Whether that is hobbies / careers / relationships; do not consign yourself to the bottom of the priority list.

Enjoy your children while small & try to be patient with them, they will be big before you know it.

40 is definitely when you start to notice the tide turning so don’t wait until then to change things!

Give up drinking for good. You're already thinking about it but feel life will be too boring. It isn't. Save yourself the hangovers and money and do it now instead of in eight years time.

Look after your health.

Look after your personal finances - I mean your own career, savings and pension. Be smart about money.

Buy somewhere to live and make sure your name is on the deeds.

Following! I'm around this age

To keep up to date with my professional qualifications and not put it on the back burner for children.
Keeping my registration up to date would be very much needed in my future.

Appreciate how good you look and how well your body moves now.
Believe me, when you look back at photos and videos in 20 or 30 years time, you will marvel at how you glowed and what your body was capable of. Enjoy it and make the most of it now!

Invest in yourself and your health (mental health)...invest in therapy if you can, it will pay dividends in the long run. Enjoy the time when your back and knees don't hurt and you can get up without making a noise 😂

Have laser surgery to correct your eyesight now - don't wait until you are 45, when you will likely be told it's too late to bother

Start practising Iyengar yoga. Walk as much as you can. Enjoy your youth and energy.

You know you are good enough just as you are.

Hypnotherapy is good to alleviate anxiety

Watching, three dc, own home, reasonably small mortgage but not sure re "dream job"...does it exist...

Set goals, work towards them, revise as necessary.

Pension. Can’t say this enough.

Exercise a little every day. Getting fit at 30 is much easier than getting fit at 40.

Invest time in good friends.

Stay curious.

@hailtomyteeth

What do you mean by 'Build up a portfolio of social activities - if you know what I mean'- clubs, hobbies, volunteering?

Get private health insurance before you pick up any "pre-existing conditions" to bar you from it.

LTB

Put aside some money every month that you’ll never spend and that’s yours alone (£25 / £50 / £100 whenever you can afford) - my grandmother called it a running away fund (she didn’t have one and needed it very late in life)

Put a coping toolkit in place for your anxiety - take it seriously now - I didn’t and my mental health now massively impacts on my physical health
Find your tribe - put yourself out there on local parents groups / join a club - I found mine through NCT. We’re not close-close or in and out of each other’s houses, but goodness it’s a wonderful little group. School-gate mums might be an option

Don’t be afraid of a life more ordinary (so long as you’re happy). Not everyone lives an insta-worthy life. It’s your life, make it wonderful for you - that doesn’t mean it has to be extraordinary, original, dripping with friends / romance / bling whatever. It means finding contentment in every day stuff.

Limit social media (other than MN of course)

Be kind and engage in your community (even in small ways like looking out for neighbours)

Wear factor 50 and floss.

Watching. Same situation but no children yet. Every six months something else comes up that means we have to wait :(

Build up a slush fund, doesn't need to be massive, just enough to give you breathing space if the shit hits the fan.

Don't settle, if it isn't working, move on.