Do be disappointed that this is it?

[Lily2811]

I feel like I'm beginning to realise that life is basically just 60 - 80 years of working really hard all week and then occasionally seei g friends or family. It literally just feels like one big full cycle of eating, working and sleeping. And housework. I don't know what else I was expecting, just feel disappointed and a bit sad that this is it.

How old are you?

Mid 20s.

Agree, op. Until we retire at 100 years old

And that’s why it’s important to find a job you enjoy or a job with people you enjoy working with.

Well it doesn’t have to be. You could invest wisely, start your own business or, marry for money and retire early if you want to,

@AmateurSwami yeah, it makes you wonder what the point is?

Do you have children and if so what age?

I went through a long period of thinking that our lives were very limited much as you described. Then our DCs got to the age where they could be left for increasing periods and at that point our lives changed. DH and I now have a hobby which we both enjoy, it gets us out of the house and into a different rhythm of life.

But life doesn't have to be that way - get a job you love, make friends if you need to, move countries, travel, whatever excites you.

I love eating and don’t do housework

It's not though. Save some money up and take a sabbatical from work for whatever. Travel/ career change/ enlightenment/ hobby. Depending on whether you have dependants of course.

I agree with you sometimes OP when I reflect on it, but at other times, particularly when I watching my children smiling and playing, that I actually live life! Watching my DCs grow up has given my life meaning

*love life
*When I am watching my DCs

Well there are alternatives.
We let our house out on air bnb and went round Europe in a camper van last summer. Sold the camper van and made a profit, so the whole trip paid for itself, with the house rent.

Look into passive streams of income. And then no about investments. I was thinking of buying a cheap house by a noisy road in a good city. Because in 15 years time all the electric cars will make it a quiet road, and my investment may have gone up,

Oh dear that's a bit negative OP, ok we have to work, I work full time in the NHS at 57, but housework takes a big 2nd to my many hobbies and I see my friends all the time. Weekends are about having a good time not cleaning a house or car.
I,ve sold my house and I'm moving 100's of miles away to be with a group of friends I have the best time with in a great area to live in because I can and I want to.
At your age I had a young child and we were always off for adventures.
Why is your life not more fun? These should be the best days of your life.

It doesn't have to be this way.
I've felt like this so made a change- went back to uni, changed career & am now doing a job I love!
It's not easy but I worked hard and was determined & succeeded - so can you.

@madcatladyforever my life is not more fun because I also work full time in the NHS, I work most weekends and do lots of nights and pretty much every bank holiday. When I'm not at work I feel exhausted. I would absolutely love children but unfortunately it has not happened for me yet and it is not on the horizon at the moment.

@BogglesGoggles I never thought I'd feel like this but marrying for money looks like a v attractive option atm.

I second Basil

Insert in your list exercise, holidays, good food, good books, good friends. Put yourself first sometimes. Say no sometimes. Make sure you're surrounded by people who live and support you (eg not fairweather friends who use you and make you feel like shite).

Live somewhere sunny!

Allysa Milano once said something that stuck with me. "Your twenties are for finding out who you are. Your thirties are for living it."
I really found that to be true.
No one hands you purpose or meaning. You have to find it and grab it with both hands. For some people that's love, kids, travel, or money (or some combination of those). For others it's religion or multi-level marketing. Seems to me you're at the start of figuring yourself out, which by its nature has to start with not being happy with where you're currently at. :) Good luck.

Could it be the job that's getting you down OP? If you're not enjoying your work then that can make it very difficult to be positive about anything else. Working shifts doesn't help as it can make it difficult to plan things in advance (having things to look forward to is so important) and can make it harder to socialise.

Life doesn’t have to be that way!

I’ve designed a life I adore! DH who is my best friend, no children, complete freedom to travel and have adventures! Off to the states next week for a month! We hired a housekeeper so we rarely have to life a finger at home. Our lives are self-indulgent and amazing! Not a brag but just demonstrating that you can create the life you want but it does involve putting yourself first and setting clear boundaries.

If you’re already feeling this way I’d suggest strongly reconsidering having children. They’re like nail in the coffin of your dreams!

Save some money up and take a sabbatical from work for whatever. Travel/ career change/ enlightenment/ hobby

🙄

Welcome to capitalism.

Gosh OP, don't be so negative.
What you're describing is great.
Takes the pressure off.
Just focus on making your own little corner of the universe as good as you can get it.
Not responsible for the rest.
Take pleasure in small things.
Don't expect to enjoy every moment, it's ok to take a lot of your work as routine.

There have been times when I felt like that, but now I am looking forward to what I hope will be an exciting period in my life. The DC are (mostly) financially independant, I am single again and I am going to retire ( early) in a few months time. I'm hoping for 10-15 years of being having enough money to do what I want ( within reason), and decent health to do it. Of course I don't know what's around the corner so I'd better get on with it