What do you wish you knew/did in your late 30s?

[Houseshmouse]

I feel like my 30s have passed me by quickly (3 children). My body/skin/hair has aged and it's just caught up on me from nowhere!
I want to make sure I'm ready for my future. What should someone in their late 30s be doing? Should you prep for menopause? Not just body but life too- kids, money, career.
What advice would you give to someone in their late 30s?

Make the career change now, be that uni or retraining you are less inclined to by fifties, do what you need to to achieve what makes you happy

Ooh following as I am 36.

But do you then miss out on your kids growing up if you're busy with a new career?

Pension pension pension!

Lift weights. Muscle loss comes at you before you know it and all of a sudden you notice bingo wings when previously you had biceps.

Take control of your pension and get professional advice if needed.

Avoid debt and put some money aside every month. No mortgage here, thank god, but I was 35,000€ in debt and it took me over 10 years to pay it back.

I wish I'd had a baby. Too late now.

My Granny always told me to drink loads of water.. l have done scince l can remember. I'm 66 now and still get lovely comments on what fabulous skin I've got.
Not just my face.. but my body too.

Have that extra baby you want, leave the bad partner, don’t stay in the toxic job situation…these kinds of things get more difficult after 40.

To stop coasting and actually put some effort into things. I can get so much achieved when I apply myself and I wish I’d of done this in my younger years for eg university, early career days, fitness routine. I feel a bit stuck now with my career after having children.

If you want kids to not dilly dally- popping them out in your 40s is not as easy as some make out! Obviously depends on your circumstances but my friends in their early 40s are all exploring IVF/adoption and say they wish they’d started earlier as have been with their partners for years but wanted to save for the big wedding/holiday, enjoy childfree life etc.

Don’t let any man rob you of your fertile years (if you want your own family).

I'm 54 and agree with Water, Weights and Pension!

And sort out anything you're not happy with - bad jobs, bad relationships, overweight.

If you've given up work - go back, unless you have very, very good reason not to - you need to be able to be financial independent, even if you don't have to be. So many relationships breakdown in people's 40s and 50s, leaving women who've given up work high and dry. Because it is almost always women who give up work, and it's usually men who do the leaving.

I’m 35 and have just gone back to work this past year (whole new career) - 3 kids, youngest is almost 3. It’s really good. I ADORED being a SAHM but find the balance of work + home very refreshing. Work 3.5 days a week, but only term time.

Work on your core strength.

Watching this thread.

I'm in my very late 30s with 2 x dcs, I couldn't have coped with any more, so this decision I got right.

At the moment, I'm using a good retinol face moisturiser at night, retinol serum, and a light moisturiser/spf through the day before applying my foundation. I'm hoping this will delay any fine lines, as I am noticing a couple of small ones after a very stressful period 😱.

I don't over brush my hair, and take biotin along with a load of other multi vitamins including collagen (although I know this last one is probably a waste of time!)

I am also drinking a lot of water, eating plenty of vegetables, lots of walking, and focusing on staying slim and fit. I don't drink a lot of alcohol either, just the odd beer

I stretch daily to try to maintain flexibility, and can still touch the floor. I have kept my arms toned from hauling children around. Now they're getting older though, I'm going to have to introduce some sort of toning exercises. I definately need to do sit ups or something, as feeling like my core isn't quite as strong as normal.

Most importantly of all though I'm trying to enjoy life; and the age I'm at, rather than keep saying I'm old. The aging process is scary, but father time gets us all eventually!

I'm also feeling that I get more easily tired than I used to. For example if I have a really active busy day, I'll feel it the next day, like I've overdone it 😂. Dm says it gets harder every decade, and I do see a decline since 10 years ago, so starting to see what she means.
I would rather this though than the alternative. It is a privilege to watch your children grow, and to be lucky enough to grow old (I tell myself, when I'm expecting to look 25 again)!