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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:
Original poster
cattanoogacats · 22/09/2022 09:31

Lots of interesting views.

I guess it does depend on your stage in life, age of any children, age and health of parents.

Also your relationships and own health.

Interesting that there are people here who have babies or very young children at this age, others whose children are young adults.

I have a teenager and primary school aged child. The teenager went through a bad patch late tweens/early teens, that was definitely very stressful, but seems to be coming though that now. Primary school age child still a joy.

I'm lucky in that my parents are still fairly young (just turned 70) and in good health. DH parents are older and getting very frail now, it's a worry.

I'm not sure if I'm perimenopausal or not. Don't have any glaringly obviously symptoms. My GP said all 46 year old women are either perimenopausal or menopausal, not sure how true that is!

OP posts:
pointythings · 22/09/2022 09:55

It's pretty much spot on for me - I was 47 when I realised my husband was an alcoholic and that the family life I had imagined for us was probably not going to happen.

I'm now 54, a widow, my kids are adults and I couldn't be happier. Also I have cats.

Frith2013 · 22/09/2022 10:51

I'm 47.3 and am having a lovely time!

29 was the worst year.

mumonthehill · 22/09/2022 10:56

47.3 here and yes I creak a bit more and get aches and my eyesight has suddenly got worse, but I now have a job I love, we have 2 good incomes coming in, dc 21 is at uni and dc 15 is easy so far. I would say that this is a good time in my life, bits could be better but overall it is much better than when I turned 40.

Incrediblebuttrue · 22/09/2022 11:01

Interesting. I was absolutely at rock bottom at 47 and started seeking help. Had therapy (didn't help). I'm 50 now and still struggling but so much better than 3 years ago!

Rosehugger · 22/09/2022 11:03

I'll be 47.2 at Christmas. Mid-late thirties were hardest so far.

Recently gone back onto Femodene (yey oestrogen) instead of Desogestrel and I feel great, as long as endometriosis doesn't rear its head again.

RaspberryFlavourOwl · 22/09/2022 11:04

Well, at 47.2 my mum died and at 47.4 my dad died so maybe there's something in it!

balalake · 22/09/2022 13:09

I was quite happy when 47.

Kennykenkencat · 28/11/2022 03:06

I was very happy at 47. I had 2 young children and had got rid of my chronic pain by then.

I am now in my 60s and really depressed. I cannot see a way out of everything that has happened

If 47 was when I was supposed to be miserable and 60s are supposed to be happy then something has gone very wrong

I'm not sure if I'm perimenopausal or not. Don't have any glaringly obviously symptoms. My GP said all 46 year old women are either perimenopausal or menopausal, not sure how true that is

I have a few friends who gave birth at 46 and one who got pregnant at 49. I didn’t go into menopause till 53.

I think your doctor is just lazy or uninformed

Blip · 28/11/2022 03:21

I lost my dad at age 46 which set off a cascade of bad events. Nine years on, life is still very difficult, even with HRT.

BobbyBobbyBobby · 28/11/2022 03:22

I was 47 many years ago and do not recall it being a miserable time.

ZZTopGuitarSolo · 28/11/2022 03:25

cattanoogacats · 22/09/2022 09:31

Lots of interesting views.

I guess it does depend on your stage in life, age of any children, age and health of parents.

Also your relationships and own health.

Interesting that there are people here who have babies or very young children at this age, others whose children are young adults.

I have a teenager and primary school aged child. The teenager went through a bad patch late tweens/early teens, that was definitely very stressful, but seems to be coming though that now. Primary school age child still a joy.

I'm lucky in that my parents are still fairly young (just turned 70) and in good health. DH parents are older and getting very frail now, it's a worry.

I'm not sure if I'm perimenopausal or not. Don't have any glaringly obviously symptoms. My GP said all 46 year old women are either perimenopausal or menopausal, not sure how true that is!

I'm 53 and have yet to have any menopause symptoms. Never gave menopause a second thought at 46.

Blip · 28/11/2022 03:49

ZZtop insomnia is a menopause symptom

ZZTopGuitarSolo · 28/11/2022 03:53

Blip · 28/11/2022 03:49

ZZtop insomnia is a menopause symptom

Ah well in that case I've been menopausal since I was 10 :-)

CoralBells · 28/11/2022 04:03

Worst was childhood and teen years due to an abusive mother. Best was age 28 onwards after I met dh. 47 was awful as he died

Novemberhater · 28/11/2022 04:46

I got engaged and then married the love of my life at 47. It was my best age and happiest.

WhoNeedsSleepNotISaidMyBody · 28/01/2023 19:54

I'm 53, all I'm going to say is live each day as best you can, do all the things you want to do. Don't put off anything, because you do not not know what's coming.

WhoNeedsSleepNotISaidMyBody · 28/01/2023 19:55

Sorry for reviving this thread, I HATE the new 'threads like this' or whatever it's called. I keep forgetting they might be older threads 🙇🏻‍♀️🙇🏻‍♀️🙇🏻‍♀️

lljkk · 28/01/2023 19:58

I was pretty happy at 47

Justmeandthedog1 · 28/01/2023 20:03

47 was bloody wonderful. Abusive ex was way behind me, I’d got a new, senior position job straight after leaving which led to me starting my own business. It built up very quickly with me working 70/80 hours a week ( which I loved) and by 47 I was on track to be able to retire at 50.

Boneweary · 28/01/2023 20:05

How interesting.

I was like you @cattanoogacats - found my twenties generally very difficult to navigate. Then my thirties were disrupted with bereavement and attempt to relocate and ‘start over’.

Met now-DH at 37, got pregnant with DS at 39, had him at 40. Got married at 41, now expecting DC2 when I’ll be 43. It’s a cliche but life really has begun for me, although I’m shattered all the time!

By 47, I’ll have a seven year old and a five year old, and I’m hoping that’s going to be a really lovely period. My mum died when I was a teenager and my dad when I was 33 Sad so no elderly parents to think of, on my side anyway - DHs may need support.

My cup runneth over. It’s a tired cup though!

smalbert · 28/01/2023 20:06

Yes, sounds right for me, had an affair as was so miserable

LoobyDop · 28/01/2023 20:15

Not at all, I’m 47 and generally pretty happy and contented. Bit of work stress, but not enough to get the Sunday night fear. My early 20s were by far the darkest time of my life- abusive relationship, dire financial straits, no confidence, no prospects. It has been onwards and upwards pretty much continuously since then for me.

twistyizzy · 28/01/2023 20:17

44 here and my teens were the most miserable. Loved my 40s so far and hoping that continues 🤞

mackerelskymackerelsky · 28/01/2023 20:45

I'm only 33 and if I get any more miserable I think I might just end up a sad melted blob on the floor. So I bloody well hope not.

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