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Original poster

Apparently age 47.2 is when you are at your most miserable

88 replies

cattanoogacats · 21/09/2022 23:23

But after this things get better.
Link

For people who have seen the dreaded age of 47 - is this true for you?

Personal interest disclaimer: I'm 46, but 47 very soon. Up until now my most miserable years were in my early to mid 20s. But maybe there's worse to come....?

OP posts:
Auldspinster · 21/09/2022 23:24

I was 47 in June and am feeling quite chipper.

BluebellsareBlue · 21/09/2022 23:25

I'm 47.1 (if we go in months, I was 47 in august) having the time of my life. Money is tight and a bit of a worry but sitting with DP, holding hands before bed, two dogs at my feet. 18 yo DS away fishing with friends this week.... I'm happy. Don't worry, it's what you make it

Fleetheart · 21/09/2022 23:26

well it was a difficult year for me but am much happier now!

Ponderingwindow · 21/09/2022 23:28

I must have peaked early because 47 was awesome. I absolutely love my late 40s.

even dealing with the stresses of the world right now, there is something about reaching this age and accepting who you are and not caring about what other people think anymore

YeahThanks · 21/09/2022 23:29

Sounds about right, I was my most miserable in my mid forties. It didn’t happen overnight though, it really was linear so if you feel good at 46, 47 won’t be a whole lot worse. I’d also agree with the article when it says people were happier in their 50s, I’m the happiest I’ve been in a long time. If the 60s are even better, the life is going to be amazing.

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 21/09/2022 23:31

I was made redundant at 47. It was shit at the time but in hindsight, it was the best thing that could have happened to me at that time. I wouldn't say I was unhappy at that age, though... just stressed!

Original poster
cattanoogacats · 21/09/2022 23:32

YeahThanks · 21/09/2022 23:29

Sounds about right, I was my most miserable in my mid forties. It didn’t happen overnight though, it really was linear so if you feel good at 46, 47 won’t be a whole lot worse. I’d also agree with the article when it says people were happier in their 50s, I’m the happiest I’ve been in a long time. If the 60s are even better, the life is going to be amazing.

I'm sorry you found your 40s difficult.

Apparently happiness is like a U curve. It peaks when you are young and old, and dips in middle age. 47 being the utter depths of the U.

I find this fascinating. Obviously this is on a population level, and individuals will have very different experiences, but I'm still interested what others thing of this, and hear personal experiences.

OP posts:
Elfen · 21/09/2022 23:34

I'm 47.1 and it's the happiest time of my life right now. Admittedly that might not be saying much considering my life has involved trauma and loss, but even so, I have a wonderful child, a lovely new partner, a challenging and rewarding new career...not much money, but nothing's changed there so at least it's not worse.
My twenties were really bad, too, so I feel that now is my time to enjoy more. Just hoping it stays this way a long while.

flippetyflaps · 21/09/2022 23:38

I was 47 in July and feel the same as I did five years ago. Bit fed up of getting saggier and wrinklier and a bit tubbier around the middle but a friend of mine died early this year after a quick battle with an aggressive cancer so I try to keep perspective on that stuff...

GCAcademic · 21/09/2022 23:39

Am 47. Having a hideous year. Perimenoupausal awaiting hysterectomy, ailing parents and endless 3-hour round trips to hospital every other day at the moment, buckets of stress, responsibility and long hours at work. Glad to hear it’s going to get better, though.

Original poster
cattanoogacats · 21/09/2022 23:40

Elfen · 21/09/2022 23:34

I'm 47.1 and it's the happiest time of my life right now. Admittedly that might not be saying much considering my life has involved trauma and loss, but even so, I have a wonderful child, a lovely new partner, a challenging and rewarding new career...not much money, but nothing's changed there so at least it's not worse.
My twenties were really bad, too, so I feel that now is my time to enjoy more. Just hoping it stays this way a long while.

I'm glad others have found happiness in their 40s.

I think found my early 20s so difficult because I graduated from university, but just didn't know how to be an adult. I found the transition to working, living alone, being totally responsible for everything very hard. I think I was very immature in many ways.

My 40s is easier because although I'm actually responsible for so many more things now, I feel equipped to handle it. I also feel like I know myself better.

OP posts:
Freetodowhatiwant · 21/09/2022 23:42

Hmm interesting. I am usually a happy person but I found I did hit a miserable spot around 47 (I am 48 now) and last winter (at 47.3 to around 47.10) was especially low. I have been worried about going back to those lows not we are heading back into winter but according to the article at 48.2 it should be all up hill from here! I have no idea whether it's true or not but it certainly would be nice.

sweetkitty · 21/09/2022 23:44

I’m this exact age next month and I am totally and utterly depressed and miserable right now to the point where I am not sleeping well and am seeking counselling. However, I don’t think it’s to do with my age more complicated life circumstances around my children, DH, job and health not to mention a Jon dose of peri menopausal woes.

Original poster
cattanoogacats · 21/09/2022 23:47

GCAcademic · 21/09/2022 23:39

Am 47. Having a hideous year. Perimenoupausal awaiting hysterectomy, ailing parents and endless 3-hour round trips to hospital every other day at the moment, buckets of stress, responsibility and long hours at work. Glad to hear it’s going to get better, though.

It sounds like you've got loads on your plate. I'm not surprised your stressed.

I do wonder whether perimenopause has an effect of the happiness U curve. If 50% of the population is perimenopausal or menopausal at this age, then I suspect that's gonna really have a effect on the results!

OP posts:
TheOnlyBeeInYourBonnet · 21/09/2022 23:47

Interesting, I had a huge crash around that time (just after turning 48). Absolute darkest time of my life.

sagalooshoe · 21/09/2022 23:48

OMG! 47.2 was exactly the most miserable I'd ever been in my entire life. Had to go on AD's for the first time. Feel great now! (48.2!)

TreeFishFrog · 21/09/2022 23:51

I'm 47 and DH is 48 and I would say we are both not the happiest we have ever been. I've had a pretty rough ride with the menopause (which has had a knock-on effect with dh) and he's often busy and stressed with work. He also, whilst enjoying the lack of commuting, doesn't really like working from home which has become par for the course these days (split between home and office). The teen years with dc have been fraught to put it mildly - we were having a pretty easy ride of parenting until that point. Parents are older, we're tired and less fit and are now facing the fear of the empty nest in the next few years (one gone off to Uni already). I'll be honest, it all feels pretty bleak at the moment Sad

Everydaywheniwakeup · 21/09/2022 23:51

Me during first lockdown. Pretty grim all round.

CurlyhairedAssassin · 21/09/2022 23:58

I think I probably fit the curve fairly well. No traumas in childhood, teens or twenties, they were all very happy (bar a bit of teenage angst). Been with the same man 25 years and relationship still good. Thirties I was bringing up my children and enjoyed those years.

im 50 next year and yeah, while I am healthy mostly it’s a bit miserable when your own parents are aging rapidly, and you worry about them declining physically (or mentally);
; you look in the mirror and can see real visible ageing and know your youth is gone and you start thinking of your own mortality; your teenagers start leaving the nest for uni etc; perimenopause has kicked in good and proper and you feel permanently anxious and can’t sleep; when you think of the future you can’t see what it might look like exactly because you know things will be different in 10 years; you’ve missed the boat if you want to change careers; etc etc

i just bloody hope that my 50s will be a bit more settled and I’ve got used to the whole ageing thing by then!

MintJulia · 22/09/2022 00:04

47.2....

I had a 2yo ds. I was working for a lovely company, nice straightforward boss. Life was mostly good. A bit thin on funds - I was paying full time child care but otherwise not bad.

EmmaH2022 · 22/09/2022 00:08

I'm 46 and barring lockdown - yes that is a chunk of time - things got better from 40. I see no reason why 47 should change things. I wonder who they asked in this study.

BadNomad · 22/09/2022 00:38

It's nonsense. There is nothing special that happens at turning 47. If you've had a happy life without drama up to that point, then you are very lucky.

Bloodybridget · 22/09/2022 00:44

Wasn't the case for me at all, I got together with DP aged 46, after a few turbulent years, and the 20 plus years since then have been the happiest of my life.

Cameleongirl · 22/09/2022 01:47

Hooray, I’ve turned 48 so the worst is over. 😂

I can understand why the mid-late 40’s are tough for many people as many of us are dealing with ailing parents and stressed teenagers. The positive side is that you’re hopefully mature enough to be able to deal with what life throws at you, which I wasn’t in my 20’s, for example.

Here’s hoping for happy 50’s!

MrsTerryPratchett · 22/09/2022 01:50

I'm a touch older and perfectly happy. I think a lot of it is that I've been lucky with my relationship and my job.

I was in a rut but got my absolute (like they wrote the job description for me) dream job at 46 and now love it.

My kid is also at a lovely age where most 47 yo women might have teenagers, bless them.