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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to ask you what you were doing at 24?

311 replies

jewelledpineapples1 · 10/04/2020 20:08

I've just turned 24 and my future seems so uncertain. I thought by this age I would have more of a career plan.

If you don't mind sharing, what were you at 24 and how different is that to where you are now?

OP posts:

Parkandride · 10/04/2020 21:08

In my first grad job living somewhere brand new with my now DH for the first time. I went out a LOT and massively enjoyed work and getting to know all the other grads. Now DH worked crazy late shifts so we were ships in the night but playing house was so nice, very fond memories

mynamesmrdiggety · 10/04/2020 21:09

As a forty year old my advice to you is to travel and enjoy your life as much as you can at this stage. I wish I had.

scaryreading · 10/04/2020 21:09

Got married, bought our first home and working in a fairly bland job

randomchap · 10/04/2020 21:09

Had to quit my PhD at Fermilab after 3 years to care for my dying father. Left the academic field completely.

I'm now working in healthcare, albeit in a backroom supportive role. Caring for my father showed me the importance of that work, I'm proud to support others doing it.

What happens at 24 does not define your life.

Thesispieces · 10/04/2020 21:10

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

YinuCeatleAyru · 10/04/2020 21:10

that's the age at which I thought i was all grown up and made some major, life-changing decisions which turned out with hindsight to be monumentally wrong and stupid. I am not very good at forgiving 24 year old me, but she didn't know any better and her mind hadn't yet finished maturing.

Mother87 · 10/04/2020 21:11

Rushed into a terrible relationship - with SO many red flags - gambling/alcoholism/tricky with money etc etc...Possibly THE most unstable unsuitable partner I could find - so of course I convinced myself that we should have a baby!! Had much-wanted DS now in his 30's (very happy/amazing career/happily married/loving) The relationship only lasted a couple of years, but I really thought I wanted a 'family' when I was nowhere near ready. But 'we' don't listen really.

I was lucky to have had incredible parents who were totally supportive when it all fell apart - lost my dad a few months ago, but I'll never forget that this very very tradtional/strict Chinese father simply enfolded me and my child in total love and care, without any 'recriminations' or 'I told you so's' (DM was also amazing but she was/still is a soft touch) God you've brought back some memories...

Kim82 · 10/04/2020 21:12

When I was 24 I went back to work after being a SAHM for a while to enable me to leave my emotionally and financially abusive ex. I left with a binbag of my clothes, the two dc who were aged 4 and 18 months at the time and a few bits and bobs of the children’s. I went back to my parents for 3 months to get back on my feet (I was so lucky to have that option), then got my own place, met a new partner and life was on the up from then on. 15 years on from that time I am married to the man I met not long after splitting with my ex (married almost 11 years), have 2 more dc and very happy.

boymum9 · 10/04/2020 21:13

I was about to get married to a man who I knew (not that deep down) that I shouldn't be with (now getting divorced, two children, I'm 31) rushed into that, forewent a career to follow his career.

Just take the time to decide what you really want out of life, there is no rush, you're still young!

4amWitchingHour · 10/04/2020 21:18

I was in my first job out of uni still and stuck in an abusive relationship. Couldn't move on at work as I worked with him, had zero confidence and my world was so small. My 20s were wasted because of that man. Managed to get a new job at 26, left him at 27 and onwards and upwards ever since (now 33)

At 24 you have so much time - enjoy yourself!

ivenamechangedforthispost · 10/04/2020 21:18

Only last year for me!

We got our first mortgage on a 3 bed semi and gave birth to our second child.
I was also made redundant from my job whilst I was pregnant and sadly lost my lovely father in law.

Very mixed year!

Almostfifty · 10/04/2020 21:18

I moved to the other side of the country to live with my boyfriend. 37 years later, after four DC, we've moved north and are on our own as the DC have all left home. Couldn't be happier.

OhNoNoNoNotThatOne · 10/04/2020 21:19

At 24 dh and I (same age) were renting and getting ready to buy our house after finding our dog and being told we couldn't keep him in the flat. Purchase was finalised just after my 25th birthday (we weren't married at that point if that is important)

I was working for John Lewis and was getting ready to interview for management training, I was unsuccessful and due to one of the senior managers decided retail wasn't for me and changed job just after my 26th birthday, to an admin role in an office, total career change and the best thing I did. 3 years later I am PA to the CEO and MD.

DH was promoted from parts advisor to parts supervisor for the lorry company he works for. He was also going a nutritional course as he is qualified a PT and works 3 evenings a week, but wanted to be able to offer nutritional advice/meal planning as part of his role at that time.

24 isn't old, you've got loads of time still!!

Waveysnail · 10/04/2020 21:20

Started training to be a dispensary assistant, got married and went to work abroad

Gossipgirl2 · 10/04/2020 21:20

Thanks for posting this thread OP. Some really interesting posts that are very reassuring.
I’m 28 and do wonder when my adult life will start.( I’m still studying and live at home my disability makes independent living more challenging ) I don’t think anyone has it all figured out.

Mum2threepinkies · 10/04/2020 21:20

I was lucky at 24. I was living alone away from home and I'd just met the love of my life who 16 years later I'm still with. I was singing for a living, I was slim and trim. I had lots of friends, I was travelling around alot to meeting new people and seeing new places. I had severe anxiety when I was growing up so I was often reluctant to try new things then at 19 years old when I'd left college plus been made redundant, I was living with my parents which was fine but not what I wanted anymore so I just said to myself one day 'it's time to go on adventure, it's not school anymore, go somewhere new, now. If you don't like where life takes you from now on change course, move, learn as much as you can, realise not everyone can and wants to be your friend and that's OK'... So I did. I went for an audition, got it and left. Much has changed but would I change any of my past? A bit but probably not much. Write a list of things you like, see where the wind takes you, have adventures, make mistakes, it's life and you get only one so please enjoy it, for now don't worry if you don't know what to do with yours yet, you will in the end, just enjoy it and do it your way xx

Kintsugi16 · 10/04/2020 21:21

Married with a mortgage and a new baby.
That new baby is about to become a Dad himself.

DamsonDress · 10/04/2020 21:23

I was a student nurse at uni. Was engaged to and living with now DH in a city. And our brilliant lab ().

We socialised a lot. Nights out. Drinking. I was one of those who didn't know when to stop, nor did I want to, tbf.

Completely different now. Am boring old fart and i love it. Living rurally in an old farmhouse. A couple of drinks now and I'm dozing off. And I hate going out.

In hindsight I wonder if the drinking and partying was bravado, masking a closet introvert.

I'm more confident now and comfortable in my own skin and as much I enjoyed myself I don't miss those days. Looking back I was very emotionally immature at 24.

Toinfinityandbeyonce · 10/04/2020 21:27

Newly married and looking after my 2 alcoholic parents. Now years later both dead.
Have a very loving, patient DH and a strapping 15 year old DS.

Zombiemum1946 · 10/04/2020 21:30

Dodged a relationship bullet, drinking, working and going to gigs. No life plan as the previous one turned out to be crap. Whatever you do, remember to have fun.

Lulubelle15 · 10/04/2020 21:31

I went travelling at 24 after splitting up with my bf of 4 years. I didn't come home for 2 1/2 years and it's the best thing I've ever done.xx

SuckingDownDarjeeling · 10/04/2020 21:32

For some reason I told myself in my early 20s that 'my life is going to start at 24'. When I turned 24, I actively pursued a career in my degree subject (design and media) and actually managed to slowly work my way out of a retail job and into my 'dream job'. I had a few years doing that, right now I'm a SAHM to twins and when they're old enough I'm hoping to go back into my favourite career, with all my extra life experience to help push me forward. So now I'm 33, in a lot of ways I feel like my life has stopped but I'm just trying to remind myself that things can change at a moment's notice. I hope you're able to think that too you really can do anything with your life right now. Think about what you actually want to do, and take small steps towards it. Don't panic and don't look at your most accomplished friends as a reference to your own success! x

Sarahlou63 · 10/04/2020 21:32

I was working at a Berni Inn (that dates me!) and relatively happy but then had a massive career change and moved to London as a financial advisor - there for about 3 weeks before the great storm of 1987. Single with a much loved cat and a 20 year old Ford escort with a hole in the bottom....wellies were required when driving in the rain. Happy days!

Confusedasusual78 · 10/04/2020 21:34

I was living abroad, doing my first year teaching with the best set of kids. Was renting my first apartment, having bbqs on the teeny balcony and making it my home, Going to the gym lots and had an amazing bod, but didht realise it at all!
I’m now 42 with a little girl, private tutoring a few times a week, still living overseas and with the same man,
It’s a totally different life now in lots of ways.
My advice would be not to worry..at all! About anything really and yo relish your freedom and youth.

Katjolo · 10/04/2020 21:36

Partying in Vegas and Ibiza. City breaks with the girls. Great times!

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