Is anyone happier as they've got older ?

[AwkwardAadvark]

Late 30s and beginning to get happier I think! I've started ignoring the school mum who incessantly texts me and likes drama, reducing contact with my own mother as she's unpleasant, staying away from spiteful work colleague, realising I cannot change people and accepting my son likes his dad more !!! Is anyone else in fuck it mode ?

Yeah, awareness of our limited time I think so we we focus on what is important.

Bloody hell im not that old lol. I just no longer have the energy for the shite I did in my 20s

Well, getting older coincided with getting divorced (my decision) and even though it's been a bumpy new start I'm certainly happier now!

I do think I'm at the age now where I take a lot less shit, and take far fewer things personally. Sometimes I worry I've become too emotionally detached, having deeply felt absolutely everything in my youth.

I have become more anxious about some things, but I I do have an underlying contentness now that I haven't known before.

You don't need to be "old" to begin to understand our lives aren't long but I do think we do in our 30's start to see that life isn't forever so why waste time on trying to fit in or doing things we neither have to or want to.

No I’m not happier. I don’t like being old. I don’t like being in pain and struggling to do stuff. I don’t like being ugly and wrinkled and saggy. I don’t like my waist and ankles being thick no matter how little I eat. I don’t like feeling that my opportunities to do the stuff I want to do are in the past. I’m going to be on medication for the rest of my life to cope with the fact my body is ageing. I can’t go anywhere without dragging along a bottle of HRT.

I’m glad now that I give zero shits about other people being mean to me. Nothing bothers me any more. But it doesn’t make up for being invisible and unattractive and having health problems due to age.

Yes. Life get better the older I get. I'm 56 and loving life.

Yes. Post 50 you no longer care what anyone thinks - it's much better.

How old are you ?

I think it's easier to be happy.
Yes my body is crappier but equally I now understand how little looks should impact your worth and focus on health.
I've finally come to terms with not being an Olympic gymnast or joining the Royal Ballet or being a billionaire which were always somewhere at the back of my mind as "goals". I now learn yoga or the Shuffle for the fun of it. I do lots of stuff just because I want to.
I've got friends, old and newer. I've got funny stories.

The shit bits are people you like and love die as you get older. My father in law at 90 has no real friends left who know what he's on about.

Yes, late 40's and I have discovered a confidence I never had before. I am doing well at work, have a good relationship with DH, a hobby I love. DC is an older teen who is progressing towards being a functioning adult.

Definitely in 'fuck it' mode. Am a lot older than you and live for myself these days. I would not like to be a young woman again - not today with social media. Happiest I've ever been. I read some of these posts with horror and feel like I've dodged so many bullets.

I’m 44. But I was fucked as soon as I gave birth at 39. My ribs and hips got wider, I weigh less than before but I measure bigger. My stomach became permanently numb because the surgeon cut the nerves during the c section. I only gained half a stone plus the weight of the baby, but yet I have an apron of loose skin which is always sore underneath. Then I breastfed and ended up with two different size breasts which never went back to normal.

Then I started having trouble with perimenopause - pain, twitching, panic attacks, feeling hot. The wrinkles just get worse and worse every week. My face has become broader and I look ugly - and there’s nothing I can do about it because it’s not caused by being fat. There’s a roll under my chin and my jawline is gone, my ankles are thick, my waist is thick. I eat less than ever but it doesn’t fix any of the problems. I’m thin, I’m just a horrible shape because of my age. I see some women being lucky - their bodies don’t change much and they still look good, and I’m jealous.

Then there’s the health issues. Diabetes, despite the fact I’m thin and active and don’t drink soft drinks. Perimenopause which requires HRT. Psoriasis.

Then there’s watching your parents get sicker and sicker as they approach death, because if you’re 44 they’re in their 70s.

It’s an absolute shit show and I just wish I was healthy and attractive again with no worries.

Yes. I am more self assured, i give no fucks to what others think of me, i feel more authentic. Kids are pre teens, things with DH is good, more senior at work, i feel good after gym.

The only thing im looking for is a hobby. I tried various things but can't find any i like. I prefer adrenaline sports but hard to find the time (until kids grown / i retire)

I’m 50 and definitely happier!

I am more confident, I care less what people think, I have more disposable income and solid friendships.

Yes, I’m menopausal, have permanently achy knees and I hate my job but I’m on HRT and have quit my uber stressful job and I’m going back down the ladder a bit to balance things a bit better!

Every decade has been better than the last IME.

I hope this continues.

Yes, am in my mid fifties, post meno at last, my kids are getting older and I have more money to spend and fewer fucks to give about things that aren’t important to me. I am ok that i haven’t achieved anything earth shattering, I’ve survived and against the odds at times. Generally i appreciate my life is pretty good these days and I’m grateful.

I'm 69. Since I have been fully retired I have been happier because I don't feel anyone has any right to expect anything of me.

I'm happy to help friends and family - on my terms. (It has to be requested not expected - and I have the right to say NO) I would never say NO if I can help, when needed

I love not caring how I look. There comes some peace knowing I'm not noticed anymore and I actually love it. Can happily go to the shops in my fluffy socks, crocs, joggers etc. Things I would never have been seen dead in when I was younger, I didn't realise how it affected my life so much.. age brings a certain a freedom

A different sort of happiness I think .

I took early retirement last year, pretty much stress free life at the moment. Sure there are niggles - not as fit or as slim as I could be - but those are problems of my own making and just need to be a bit less lazy.

Very content - but don't get the same 'highs' as I got when I was younger (and I don't mean chemically induced).

I'm surprised by so many people saying they are happier. I wish I could go back to my carefree younger days, not weighed down by responsibilities and the accumulation of losses of too many family and friends (several too soon and in tragic circumstances) and life knocks which have hit hard along the way. yes I am more confident, efficient, balanced, but I hugely miss the happiness of my youth.

I miss being young and attractive but not the hassle that goes with it.

Mid forties - my life is absolutely at its lowest ebb in every single aspect. Everything has gone wrong. I have elderly dependents, my kids are unhappy, my husband is selfish, money troubles. Absolutely the lowest point of my life. If I'd seen this brick wall of doom
Coming I'd have changed my identity and run away years ago.