To feel like I’m too old to meet someone and improve my life

[Coldnights]

I’m 25 but have had significant mental health problems since my teens. Most of my Friends are settled down in long term relationships and buying houses.i still live with my parents due to the fact I was unable to work for a number of years. I now work part time in a supermarket. I always dreamed of going to university but didn’t go due to mental health. I have three a levels so I guess I could go but again feel too old.

I'm 50 years older than you and never feel to old to do anything (within reason). You have the whole of your life ahead of you, enjoy it and live life to the full.

Lovely to see the positive stories of people that improved their life.

You can't be serious! You're practically a baby!

My older dc is at uni and has met plenty of other students in their 20s and older, and has a flatmate who is 27. It's perfectly normal to go to uni at your age, and maybe it would be a great time for you as it would enable you to change direction, meet new people, move away from home.

THere are lots of online uni open days happening at the moment, so you could try looking at some of those and see if any courses appeal to you, and also look at what might be available in the way of mental health support and whether they have any stats on mature students.

I trained as a dental nurse when I left school and went to University in my mid to late twenties. The brain does not fully mature till we hit about 28. Some young couples do fund long lasting love and good for them but I changed so much in my twenties.

Ah wow, no you're not!

I read the title and empathised- being 32 and really behind my friends but you've got ages to turn things around!

Mid 20s is a strange age. You are no longer considered a kid - by that I mean carefree kicking your heels of late teens early 20s. It is a time when people have left University, possibly coupled up and starting their careers. It's not that you feel 'old'. 25 is so young (compared to me) but I think you feel out of sync or a bit left behind. If everyone around is a couple and home making it can your situation feel worse. I remember feeling like that in my early 30s

Are your mental health issues still an issue? You don't want this to be triggered by a big change. Sort that out first.

Then make some plans. You say you are working part time. Get some brochures from universities. Look at what you would like to study. A lot of further education colleges have access courses or summer schools or short courses. Even doing an evening/day course can get you back into the swing of things. Look at grants and bursaries, I was reading he other day that so many grants have no applications - even for mature students.

Make a to do list that you can tick off. Like getting UCAS information. Most universities have a mature student section. Try to look up one a day, join some sites for mature students. Do something small each day or three things a week. It will make you feel more confident and will snowball you (slowly - your pace) towards your goal.

Good luck OP.

When I read the title I assumed you were probably 40 and a bit over the hill but 25! You can do so much. I would start by getting involved with your local church. A lot of the men there will be late bloomers.