Signs you are happily middle aged!

[NoEffingWay]

I am slowwly coming to the realisation that I am never happier when I’m sat under my heated blanket, in a clean house with all the washing done, or drying on the heated airer (dehumidifier happiness is another add on to this tale!).

I reached a new level of personal nirvana yesterday when I made an apple crumble from scratch after an unnecessary trip to Sainsbury’s where I pootled about buying stuff, after rearranging the linen cupboard.

Younger me would have been out until 3am and have been nursing a hangover whilst eating crisps on a knackered sofa, with weeks of washing not done.

Anyone else had a personality transplant in their late 30’s/early 40’s?

Walking the dog in muddy boots has replaced dancing the night away in unsuitable shoes. Couldn’t be happier!

Having a night in the spare room then waking up after a good night’s sleep then taking my coffee back to bed with the window open and listening to the birds while breathing fresh air.

also binge watching in my oodie in front of the log burner with wine and snacks. I’m like a pig in the proverbial.

I’m 48 and embracing middle age.

I am excited that I have managed to get a stain out of my cream jumper. I even sent a photo of my success to a friend, who was equally excited!

@GrandHighPoohbah you have to give us more than that !
What material was cream jumper and what was the exact method and substance used in this success story?

See, I think I was always secretly middle-aged, so now at 43 I’m really just coming into my own… Lying on the couch with a glass of wine and a book and a scented candle burning, after a weekend that involved nice coffees, good bread and a long walk somewhere - bliss!

A very keen interest in birds, trees, general wildlife, crochet, and bread baking.

I bought a soup maker and videoed it in action to send to friends - we used to send each other shoe pics and Zara new in. The soup was lovely, eaten under my heated fur throw, whilst reading My Weekly 😂

Well this is exciting part - it was cashmere and the stain was home made chilli-infused olive oil (so both oily and red). I didn't notice at the time as it was on the sleeve, so missed the whole "immediate action" window. After several attempts with the white wine vinegar /water dabbing concoction, I got the balance right. Ta-da! 😁

I don’t understand - does being a certain age involve a sudden keen interest in objectively boring and practical activity?

I am middle aged and happy about it, it brings increased confidence and don’t-give-a-fuck-ness.

My hobbies remain fairly static - drinking wine and reading MN (since my twenties) shopping for clothes (admittedly more annoying given my increased girth) and listening to pop.

Can you be born middle aged? I am 42 now but I have always loved a cosy home, a good book and weekends under a blanket!
I forced myself to go out and 'enjoy my youth' when I was younger but I think I was already secretly waiting for it to be acceptable to just hibernate as often as possible.

Oh I feel like this too. I love being 49.

I’m so middle aged I can’t even drink wine anymore!

@Nickelouchit does for me. I’ve changed.

Yes, me! I’m really enjoying this stage in my life. No people pleasing, clean house, reading more books, regularly at the gym, hitting my steps on lovely dog walks, looking after my skin, and bed early. Minding my own business at home is my favourite way to be. It’s wonderful & peaceful, long may it continue x

There was a time in my life when I craved action; going out, dancing, drinking, travelling, all of it. But my ex‑husband was a complete bore, so not much of that ever happened. Raising three kids far away from home didn’t leave me with much time or money anyway.

Now I’m in my mid‑fifties, divorced, with only one kid still living at home. These days I actually enjoy the quiet more than anything. I watch way too much TV (and love every minute of it), I cook and bake, do little crafts, and listen to audio-books while strolling around my neighbourhood. Sometimes I wonder if I should be doing more, but honestly… people keep saying we need to swap “doing” for “being” for the sake of our health and peace of mind. So maybe I’m right where I need to be.

The only thing I truly wish I could have back is my dog. I lost her in September, and she made my days feel so much fuller. I miss her every single day.

@NickelouchI suppose it’s more that I don’t want to be doing the same stuff I was doing in my 20’s. My 40’s aren’t boring, but I’m not after snogging some random in a crappy nightclub, or have a rotten hangover every weekend. I still enjoy going out to the local for a few drinks every couple of weeks, but I am unapologetic about wanting different things than I did 20+ years ago!

I knew I’d reached happiness in middle age when my favourite Christmas present was a heated airer from my sister.

I’m happily lying in bed now with my house all tidy and clean downstairs and plans to finish tidying upstairs using my annual leave this week. Such an exciting time to be alive!

Love all this quiet contentment. Being middle aged isn't so bad after all :)

@ThatJadeLionthat’s exactly what I feel. Quiet contentment is the feeling I can’t get enough of.

No, not at all.

I’m approaching late 30s and I’m just becoming a better version of my 20s self!

All the fun, freedom and spontaneity but with self-confidence, money, and the right group of friends.

I hope I never reach peak excitement over doing laundry or baking. 😁

Best thread ever 😂

Enjoying a cup of tea and a good biscuit 🙈

@Crushed23One day it hits you, and all of a sudden you are spending too much time debating the virtues of which heated airer and dehumidifier you are going to buy, and then talking about it to anyone who will listen. 😂

… give it 5 more years… 🤣

This. I’m 53 and enjoying it in all kinds of ways, branching out in new directions, but I haven’t suddenly developed an interest in household chores or heated airers. I listen to myself a lot more, and pay more attention to exactly what I want, I do my drinking earlier in the day, so I can see friends, have a good time and still get a full night’s sleep, and I’ve become interested in gardening, but that’s because I suddenly find myself with an enormous blank canvas. But I’m much the same, only more confident and more experienced at life.