To think fun doesn't stop when you are middle aged?

[LemonSherbetFancies]

DP and I are in our fifties and pre covid were out and about every weekend doing something new. Parties, gigs, events, hotels, mini breaks etc. So many people ask us if we don't just fancy a quiet weekend here or there almost like we are expected to just stop having fun as soon as we hit 40!
Aibu to say that this is a stupid view and that life is for living whatever your age?

Fun looks different for different people.

I’m in my thirties and wouldn’t want to be ‘out out’ every weekend and neither would dp. We’d like a weekend of walks, dinners, stuff round the house sometimes too.

We do the other stuff on your list too but we have quite busy jobs and are not that extroverted so it’s a better balance for us - doesn’t make what you do wrong though although I guess some people probably are surprised that you don’t find the need for more of a balance.

I think it's much the same as expecting younger people to go to parties, clubs, climb mountains, etc when not everyone is into that type of fun.

I agree your idea of fun shouldn't stop just because. It's up to you to do what makes you happy, regardless of what it is, as long as it doesn't harm anyone [I shouldn't have to say this but sadly necessary in the times we live in].

I'd ignore or just answer no because it's what you prefer and your age has nothing to do with it.

Nobody’s lifestyles are ‘stupid’.

Few people leading quiet lives crave ‘gigs, parties, events, hotels, mini breaks’! 😂

I like being in my loungewear, watching TV, gardening. Pre covid we had friends over about once a month and went to the odd party or bbq. I don’t miss those events!

I might be biased because I have a demanding job and young kid and commute, but I can’t think of anything worse than going to a gig!

I went to plenty of gigs, raves, parties, weekends away, fancy spa breaks and holidays abroad pre/kids so feel it’s out of my system. Now I can enjoy settling down. I have lots of hobbies, interests, friends and options to do things I just want to relax at home.

Up to you what you do with your life. I'm in my fifties and love a quiet weekend. I expect you think you're far more "fun" than me.

I have no idea what "life is for living" even means. I enjoy my job, have a great family, lovely friends and am very happy. Because I'm not jetting off on mini breaks or going to gigs does that mean I'm not living my life?

I have no idea what "life is for living" even means.

Yeah agree with this!

I do love going out and about doing the stuff mentioned in the OP...but equally I truly love totally relaxing at home with my wife, and films and wine and food.

You do you , live and let live
I hate gigs
Do what makes YOU happy

Also that's quite a financially privileged lifestyle you wereu living there!

Yes I absolutely get your point but as others said it does depend on your idea of fun. Dh and I are in our 50s we love meeting up with friends for a meal or staying for a weekend with friends. We also still go to gigs. But not every weekend we would find that exhausting and also it would inevitably become boring.
Most weekends we just want to walk our dog in the Cotswolds, Dh likes to garden, and I like to bake. That is still “fun” to us.

The think the key is always to have something to look forward to.

different strokes for different folks. I like doing those things occasionally, but every weekend would feel like work rather than fun. All those people and all that noise.
Sometimes I go out to somewhere busy and honestly think "what on earth is it people like about this"? Overwhelming

My Dad is late 50s and has a far better social life and way more fun than me

Biking and running club, gigs, Northern Soul nights, regular meet ups with friends at the local micro pubs/meals out, regular short European breaks, game nights.

Me, stuck at home with small children, jealous? Absolutely not

Having said that, I’m terrified of flying, don’t drink, can’t run for shit but I would kill for game nights/gym time/naice meals out.

I’ve not had any fun since university and I’m now late 30s. I got married basically out of university though. Maybe that’s why.

I am well into my 40s. We don't have wild excitement every weekend, but still do a fair bit around work and DC commitments. We were at Def Leopard the summer before lockdown and I had AC/DC tickets for last summer as my Christmas present that Covid cancelled, and I like to get to a wide variety of musical events of different sizes when I am able. And theatre and cinema.

We go hiking a fair bit and have various other outdoor adventures. I only started to learn to sail once I was already in my 40s, and my 40th birthday adventure was our first ever ski trip (we plan to go again but Covid had hit plans on us 2 seasons now).

We enjoy going out for nice meals as a couple or with friends. Our neighbourhood is particularly friendly and we do a number of BBQs/drinks/Christmas party etc over the course of most years, often going late into the night (and many evenings having started as a 4pm text "anyone fancy a glass of wine while it's nice?").

We like to travel, but having a lot for work, and having various commitments at weekends (I am a Cub Scout Leader for the Saturday pack, DD has various sports trainings for a few teams and different sports, etc) we don't tend to do too many weekends away right now - but will get back to more city breaks once DD has got some independence (i.e. learned to drive in 18 months) and I get some extra Leaders.

Yes, some of my fun is dancing around the kitchen, gardening, crafting of various sorts etc., quieter activities. But definitely not a case of "life stops dead in your 40s". DH and I are not sitting around for hours every night just watching tv.

The fun NEVER stops @LemonSherbetFancies

Lovely that you are still enjoying life. (And I hope you continue to for another 40 years!)

I'm in my 50s and have lots of fun; sports, holidays, trips out, dinners with friends.
In a way it's easier because we're over the exhausting child rearing phase with more disposable income.
Our adult children contribute to the fun times.
I hope to still be having fun times in my 80s.

People say we live a teenager/early twenties sort of life !
DP works very hard and earns well so we can enjoy these events and we both realise how short life is and want to enjoy every moment. Life is for being happy and making the most of opportunities.
We both adore people and love catching up with friends and meeting new people.
It's one of our favourite things to do.

I've found my lifes only really started to be fun in my 30s I can finally afford to do fun things. I love a day out. This threads inspired me to book something fun.

As a 44-year old woman I am hoping the fun starts when you're middle-aged. Child rearing definitely has an effect on your options for fun. Surely once they're 18 you get to do more stuff, not less.

Honestly op you don't live like teenagers.
You live like people who have no young children and good disposable income.
Life is for living and people live how they want.

It doesn’t have to stop at any particular age, though it does depend on how you define fun.

Living like teenagers surely = ket?

nah! not teenagers, that means not having the money to do all the things you like doing, we are 50s and pre covid had a great social life, it will come back as we open up again and I'm soooo looking forward to it, but living like a teenager, no thanks, I'm way too cool!

tbh OP, you sound like you are trying too hard to stay young, being 'the oldest swingers in town' is never a good look

DH and I are in our 60s and enjoy quiet activities, such as walks in the countryside and pottering in the garden.
Our ideal holiday is to be as far away as possible from other people, so we always avoid staying in hotels and resorts, preferring self-catering accommodation, either in the middle of nowhere or on the edge of a quiet village.
We had those same preferences when we were in our early 20s. It's just what we like to do.
Each to their own.

We love going on a big nights out (or days out), but don't always want to do that every weekend, and our kids still need a sitter which adds to the cost considerably. We are mid/late forties.

But yes I love to plan things, weekends away, concerts, theatre etc
I have some friends that seem very content to do nothing social (or fun) at all (except meet for a coffee or lunch once in a blue moon). They seem to think it strange that I go to dance class or book club or just out for meals.

Since covid most of our fun takes place at home; game nights, nice meals, movies etc can't wait till we can go out more :) (still on lockdown here).

We are in our 60s and do the same as you OP. We also love hiking and exercising, dh loves gardening and we both like a good political/ cartel boxed set.
Certainly not trying to be " cool" as someone put it.....we enjoy galleries, exhibitions, gigs, nice hotels and restaurants. And are healthy enough to enjoy new experiences.