To wonder if other people feel trapped in a mediocre life

[neepsntatties]

I am not living the life I hoped I would, I am lucky in lots of ways - healthy kids, decent job etc but it all feels a bit bland. I've made some big mistakes which mean I am not doing what I wanted and while what I do is not awful I feel a real sense of loss and sadness about it all. Marriage going through a difficult patch, kids lovely but I often feel trapped by them.

Is this just normal? Do other people feel like this? How do I accept my lot and stop feeling sorry for myself?

And much respect to all the lovely posters and great advice on here to, sometimes I think mumsnet is just an amazing place.

See its the 'knowing what you want' bit I get stuck at :)

Maybe you don't need to know what you want. Maybe the fun is in the exploring. I bet you know what you don't want - write that down and avoid it like the plague and doing anything else is a step in making a life of your choosing. Sometimes knowing what we want closes down opportunities that could be more exciting than anything we could have imagined. Every step that we take leaves a footprint in the path of our lives so just put your best foot forward and life will meet you on the your path. Life is short - don't waste time fantasising over someone elses life when you can be living your own. Contentment with and acceptance/ ownership of our own life as it is, is the destination not some place on earth - read 'The Alchemist' it make a lot of sense re this issue. :)

Sometimes knowing what we want closes down opportunities that could be more exciting than anything we could have imagined.

Very true. The people who often have very interesting and varied lives are people who are good at seizing opportunities and being flexible (and who often don't have very defined goals in the first place). They possible don't become the people we see as the "high achievers" (who often are very goal focused) but they have an interesting journey.

A lot of the most interesting things I've done have been the result of chance. I ended up in my chosen career because of a series of events that started with an ex-boyfriend getting stuck in a traffic jam.

Me too Blackduck. If only I knew what I wanted - I might actually want it!!!

Just wondering... how is everyone who posted doing? Is the outlook still bleak or has anyone's life improved since this thread began?