46 and bored. What's your new adventure?

[WalkingSense]

I just keep on hearing about people that are busy and overworked. Not me. I am bored. A 12 yo son, with the usual problems, but doing fine overall. I work freelance, and it's going well at the moment. An okay-ish relationship with dp. Health ok. I loved my twenties, there was always a new adventure to embark on and so much I wanted! Now I don't seem to want much anymore. I wrote a book 2 years ago, and that gave an amazing sense of achievement. I went on an 6 months course to be a better speaker (1 day a month) and that was great for my social life, and gave me a great sense of achievement. Now I can't think of anything I would like to do next? What do you do? What's your big adventure? What have you started learning after 40?

I'd like to learn to dance the tango but doubt I'd find the time or a decent partner to do it with.

We felt like this five years ago. Stuck in a rut and in need of adventure. We ended up moving to Singapore. We stayed a year; youngest DS (then 7) was utterly miserable at school and school were V V unhelpful.

I feel how many of you describe. I felt alive in the run up to our move and during our time there (v stressful towards the end when it was clear it wasn't working out). We've been back 4 years, DSs both at secondary. DH busy with career. Don't know that many people locally (moved back to a different areas which we don't particularly like but it was all about school places, mid-year).

I did a Foundation Degree in Management (graduated last July). But I'm utterly unfulfilled. I can't/don't want to work full-time. Part time admin work doesn't appeal. I'm in limbo land. I am into fitness and this keeps me going. But I ache for another adventure. I'm 47.

I don't have any spare time - young DC and a full time job - but I mentioned to a friend (older 70-something lady) that when I retired, I wanted to fill my days with enjoyable pursuits - learn to paint, etc.

She gave me a bit of a nudge, and now I'm on a painting course and loving it. I get all my stuff out a few evenings a week after the kids are in bed and everything else is done, and potter away. Time to think, and it's actually so satisfying. Win-win.

She was right - that day of being retired might never come (as I know only too well, I'm early 40s with both parents deceased). Carpe diem, and all that.

Just live as you like.

I travel on my own as a challenge once or twice a year. I feel so empowered, but never lose the nerves at the same time!

Never bored. Sorry about that. I think it might be a personality thing. You know, some need constant company and stimulation, others do not. I am in the latter description and am happy out!

Whilst I will never conquer Mount Everest or bunjee jump over the Iguazu Falls, I don't care. The thrill of staying somewhere on your own and enjoying the freedom of it is beyond measure.

And I'm writing a book. That's a secret though!

I emigrated to Australia in my early 40s, which was simultaneously the craziest, scariest and best thing I've ever done in my life. I live beside the Indian Ocean now and I'm happier than I've been in my life, I feel like I'm in my 20s again (until I look in a mirror!)

I am in my fifties and am about to ditch a 30 year career to set up my own business doing something completely different. Oh, and I'm emigrating (again!).

i'm 46. Have taken up cycling and love it.

I am also running and indulging in my love of travel. Have been to 3 places already this year. (It helps that I'm divorced and can travel when exH has the kids).

I think there is also something about loving the life you've got too. Enjoying friends, concerts and just peace and quiet. I do quite a lot of affirmations and stuff like that (used to be a malcontent).

I also took up yoga a few months ago. I only went for something to do, but the results have been life-changing. Depression has gone, as has a long-standing back problem.

I'm 47, DH is 53. Youngest dc is 19 and about to leave home. We are currently in the JAM bracket and feel up with the hamster wheel of working to pay the bills with not much left.

We are currently getting rid of 20 odd years worth of stuff so that we can go off and live in a caravan for a while.
This will be a complete change of lifestyle as well as allowing us to do some serious saving.
We will then have a bit of money for our retirement as our current pension provision is no where near adequate

We are currently getting rid of 20 odd years worth of stuff so that we can go off and live in a caravan for a while.

That's awesome !

Fulloff some good points there. I try to travel too, either alone or with a friend. I went back to Singapore on my own a year ago. Two weeks ago I went to Krakow with a friend and we visited Auschwitz. If ever there is a place to remind you to be grateful for your life.

DH and I will definitely travel more once the kids are older (but we don't want to wish that time away either as we are all very close).

A friend has a brilliant mantra ... "bloom where you're planted". I try to do this. I am mostly an introvert so happy with my own company much of the time.

I have just started applying for voluntary work and I hope I find something there to give me a little more meaning.

Really interesting thread OP!

Pupsiecola, may I ask why you don't travel with the children? No judgment intended, just curious.

I'm 43 and like others on this thread I've always studied something. After my degree I embarked on learning Italian, then brushing up my French, improving my skiing ...

Then I had two kids and rather lost 'myself' for a few years. I simply didn't have any time to dedicate to classes or study. I managed to go to the gym, thanks to a creche on site, but that was about it.

Now with both my kids settled in school (years 1 and 4), I've got a much more interesting life again. I work out regularly, walk or cycle with friends for an hour, started a book group which meets once a month, and in Oct I started a second degree in Environmental Science with the OU. It fits very well around my parenting and other things. I study hard in term-time and then take the holidays off and we get 3-4 months off over the summer, which is perfect.

We also travel as much as we can with our kids in the holidays. Often we get cheap flights and an Air BnB apartment, which keeps costs down. Our 9 and (nearly) 6 yr olds are already quite adventurous and well-travelled as a result.

missdallas we do travel with the kids too :-) In the last year we have been on a city break to Berlin, spent two weeks on a road trip from southern Spain to southern France and had a fabulous week skiing in the France. We are very lucky to be able to get away as a family two to three times a year :-)

Currently researching what to do this Summer - looking at Mallorca or possibly Canada in a mobile home. And skiing next season already booked.

I'm doing some work in my freelance business / career and also want to do more trail running.
I'm 40 but my ds is only 3 so that's enough for me right now.

I learned to scuba dive in my early 40s. I also hill walk regularly and hope to walk the Gozo coastal path one day. I've not started yet but I need to start learning a bit of Portuguese before I go there later in the year.

In the past I've dabbled in mountain biking and I know some women in their 40s and 50s who are really quite good at it - events etc - cyclo cross too.

Other active things that seem popular with women who are a little freerer now their DCs are a bit more independent are netball and roller derby.

I took up ballroom dancing. With DH!
I started a masters degree.
I started lecturing in addition to my job. I plan exciting days out. We learnt to sail / drive a canal barge. I quite fancy learning how to sail on tall ships...

Wild swimming. I live 2 hours from the coast though so it's a challenge!

That's great Pupsiecola. We also take our children everywhere.

Great thread !
Esp as my day off and I'm in bed just chilling !
Fullo

I do a similar thing to you in that I travel alone but it's only in uk with my small dog and my hugely treasured 22 yr old camper van . I literally set off and go where I end up - dh rang to find I was at the opp side of the coast for eg. I'd love to tour England for several weeks but normally go within a few hours drive .

Great thread.. place marking

I joined a gym. Also bought a caravan and go on walking holidays. Am trying to get fitter as in five years time I want to walk from Mexico to Canada.

What a fantastic idea for a thread! I've recently finished my Master's and a coaching qualification, so I'm ready for a new challenge. Looking forward to reading through this thread for inspiration!

possum That's over 2000 miles!

Google maps said "walking directions not possible"

Will you just go straight down the middle?

I love this thread.

Would that the the Pacific Crest trail Possum?

I've bought, but not got round to reading, a couple of books from people who've done that (or not, I haven't read the books yet but have read Bill Bryson's A Walk in the Woods, where he set off to walk another long distance trail and only did a bit of it).

www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Englishman-Thru-Hiking-Adventure-Pacific-ebook/dp/B007EDIAY4/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1489582534&sr=1-1&keywords=pacific+crest+trail&tag=mumsnetforum-21

www.amazon.co.uk/Wild-Journey-Found-Cheryl-Strayed-ebook/dp/B0082FPIY8/ref=sr_1_5?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1489582534&sr=1-5&keywords=pacific+crest+trail&tag=mumsnetforum-21