To ask at which stage/age of your life you were the happiest?

[UpsyDaisy123]

For me it was probably my first pregnancy. I was over the moon to be pregnant after a previous late miscarriage and, after an anxious and nauseous beginning, I had a pretty straightforward time. I felt optimistic at last and there was so much I was looking forward to.

Now. I have a job I love, I own my house outright so I have security, and I have wonderful friends.

I am sometimes sad that I am not married any more but it was the right decision for both of us. And sometimes I wonder if I ought to have had children. I didn't, because when I was young enough I was very unhappy and thought I had nothing to offer a child. Now I think I could be a good mum but I am far too old. But it's OK.

Mid decade has always been best for me
15 - 25 - 35 - 45 with 35 being the best
Hoping I find my mojo in next few years for when I'm 55!

Studying for my PhD
First maternity leave

Two phases of my life where I was absolutely skint, but doing exactly what I wanted.

The period between my first child being born and my little brother being diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Although my work is stressful, I think I'm approaching a contented period. Maybe. Don't want to tempt fate.

Since December 2012 right through until today and hopefully into the future. However DD (23 months) makes me happier than anything I do, possess or want. Nothing compares to her. DH comes a very very close second.

Also for me my first pg. it was a totally breeze, work was easy, I left to be a sahm at 36 wks. Been married a year, lovely house, new car, lovely dog and the perfect dh, mum was ill but doing ok. Life was a breeze. Now onto our third pg, life is still the same but with the added stress of young children and a hard pregnancy, plus a terminal ill mother.

Big hugs to you Ludoole. Glad you had those 16 months. Remember time is a great healer.

Now, at 27. I have a really good life, lovely husband, our own home, a wonderful baby daughter, close family nearby and I have finally taken steps to retraining out of a career path I hate.

Now, but I have always thought that. I literally just said to DH this evening that I feel I have the perfect life I know I'm lucky though and also think we're overdue some bad luck!

(Now for me is currently married, 6mo baby DS, own home (mortgage obvs!), 26, self employed, healthy happy family)

That should probably read 'currently: married...' - I'm not contemplating getting divorced hah!

First and third year of uni, second was ok but I got a bit poorly midway through

That was a while ago now and it rely scares me that I could go the rest of my life without the simple absolute joy of being alive.
I can't quite describe it but I remember a few day trips with my friend where I felt I might burst with just how happy I was.

I'm content now, nice job/house/lovely dp/friends/hobby it enjoy but I don't know what I could ever do to bring that feeling back.

Probably late teens/early twenties.

Currently 40 and probably the least happy I've ever been - have my DH & DD (11) who is the whole world to me, but otherwise meh.

Childhood definitely, before I was sixteen and lost my mum. Also a few years ago, nothing specific, just generally ok and contented. Am hoping it will come back again soon

My 30s were happiest. Good group of friends, met DH, got married. Got our house and work going well.

Now at 41 work has become a stressful nightmare (new boss) lost my dad 3 months ago and have just found out I am infertile (no kids). At least I still have DH and the friends so I know things will get better.

Ludoole I am so sorry for your loss x

Ludoole to you and your boys.

I was very happy during my university years, then when I was busy running around after the kids when they needed me.

Now I'm also happy as the kids have grown up and I have time to do my own things too.

Early 20s, when I was a single mum to DD. Constantly skint but had lots of time to myself (DD was at primary school and I could stay on income support so no jobseeking hassle) - did some fun volunteer work, creative college courses, went on lunchtime dates, used the gym a lot and life was just a lot more relaxed.

I was 24/25. I had good friends, my parents were alive and well. I'd given my ex the boot.

I was slim, healthy and happy. I had good job, I was finally making progress my life.

Fast forward 8 years I'd kill to go back and be that person again..

At uni.
Right now.
25-33 was really shit.

At uni just started teacher training. Thought I'd found the love of my life but he turned out to be a complete bastard.

Zombie joins the multitude on the Now Bench.

She's old(er), she's not in the best of health BUT she's learned that by removing as many as possible of the negative influences in her life and embracing the positive is the key.

For her the negatives are almost exclusively people. People who refuse to respect her boundaries; people who appear to be seeking second hand validation through her; people who take and give little or nothing back; people who "fuss" [shudder]; and people who think they know better than she does about what she should/shouldn't feel / think / do given her circumstances.

The positives are again people. People who accept and love her for who she is; people who listen to her; people who don't try to use or control her; and most of all her son.

Each and every one of us will have our own -s and +s.

Learn what to ditch and what to embrace.

What a lovely positive attitude to life Zombie. I need to take a life out of your book.

20 was a good year.

I'm 26 just now and feel like I'm going through hell. It's lovely (and a wee bit upsetting) to see all the people my age who are settled and progressing. Maybe next year will be different.

Now.