Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Anyone else miss being 18-25?

102 replies

Rolaskatox · 09/12/2022 21:40

I live in Manchester city centre and just on my way home, young people out in their hoardes to the clubs. I was out pretty much every weekend at that age.
I'm only in my 30s but most of my friends are married and/or have kids, meeting for a coffee needs to be arranged about 3 weeks in advance.
That age has its downsides for sure. I now have more money, I've got more life experience, I've learned a lot, and I'm happy in my looks.
There's just something about having it all to come, going to uni etc.

OP posts:
Original poster
Rolaskatox · 09/12/2022 21:41

Not to mention how incredibly fresh faced they are 😭

OP posts:
dawnfromgavinandstacey · 09/12/2022 21:45

I have just walked through Liverpool city centre, there was snow on the ground and it reminded me of being about 18 and going out clubbing and I wouldn't of been seen dead in a coat.

43 now but still feels like a few years ago not over 20!

Icecreamandapplepie · 09/12/2022 21:48

Nope. Good while it lasted but i can't think of anything worse...

Original poster
Rolaskatox · 09/12/2022 21:48

Felt exactly the same! Girls out in a dress, no jacket or tights 😂

OP posts:
elQuintoConyo · 09/12/2022 21:51

I remember walking home in the snow wearimg just a t-shirt! Too much faff to check a coat in a nightclub!

Age 23 I moved to Italy, so it was a great time. I'd like to repeat 23-33 again, please.

Nofilter · 09/12/2022 21:57

I'm from Manchester and spent 19-38 at all the Manchester clubs, Sankeys, WHP, Parklife and some do the smaller events. Good days but couldn't have lived that life and have what I have now which is responsibilities and a family.

I guess we change with age and the two don't mix.

Definitely miss the feeling of being on a dance floor not a care in the world and having no hangover! 😂

SolitaryMind · 09/12/2022 22:10

I’d love to go back and have that life, at that age I was raising children, battling depression, controlling relationship, I rarely left the house. Life is better now, I’m 36 but it’s too late to have those years now.

Appalonia · 09/12/2022 22:11

Good God no! I was so insecure and lacking in confidence then. I miss being 37-45 tho, they were the best years of my life. I'm 57 now, had to witness my lovely mum being struck down by a stroke when she was 77 and my dad deteriorate for years with dementia. There's joys and challenges in every era of life, guess you just have to make the best of it whatever age you are. I bet when you're my age, OP, you'll miss the age you are now!

Kissmybaubles · 09/12/2022 23:12

Yes I miss being young, that feeling of excitement and hope when I think of my future.

Things didn’t work out exactly how I had hoped in my life and I have my regrets, there’s time and opportunity that has passed me by and I can’t get that back.

Tryfull · 09/12/2022 23:15

Nope, absolutely not. I love who I am now at 45 and feel like this is the prime of my life. Not necessarily physically but in terms of contentment.

MaraScottie · 09/12/2022 23:17

Nope. 40s are where it's at for me.

I miss having great skin though.

Cornelious · 09/12/2022 23:20

I've loved every age group. I loved uni and clubbing. I still go clubbing now at 40 though maybe only a few times a year. It's mostly dinners and drinks with dh or the girls.

Mezmer · 09/12/2022 23:22

Im 50 and I miss being young as you know younger people generally see you as old. Have been out on my work do recently and the young people think you were born this age. It’s horrible. It’s not their fault but it’s easy to pick up on a slight patronising tone from them and you feel they ‘put up with’ you rather than want to spend any time with you. I just want to feel relevant again to the outside world because inside I’ve never felt better.

NameChange1718 · 09/12/2022 23:27

I’m 24 and have hated this part of my life. Definitely the worst so far. If I could go back to any time it would be 14-17.
I’d love to skip forward to having a mortgage and a family instead

rhetorician · 09/12/2022 23:31

Ha ha, my nearly 90 yo mother just asked me what year I was born, she cant remember, but had a stab at 1996. Oh I wish! I'd make such a better job of 26 now....

karmaisacat · 09/12/2022 23:35

I’m also in my 30s and near Manchester. I still go out clubbing on a rare occasion and it’s still fun. Not like being 18 and going out all the time of course but I wouldn’t want to do that now. There’s pros and cons to being in each age group!

Sunnytwobridges · 09/12/2022 23:43

Yes, definitely! The best time of my life was between 18-22. I was in college and engaged and didn’t have any kids or financial worries. I definitely miss it.

blebbleb · 09/12/2022 23:44

Nope. Feel much more happy and confident at 38. Would never want to turn back time!

blebbleb · 09/12/2022 23:45

Can't say I have any noticeable wrinkles yet either but I expect it will happen soon and overnight!

bossybloss · 09/12/2022 23:47

dawnfromgavinandstacey · 09/12/2022 21:45

I have just walked through Liverpool city centre, there was snow on the ground and it reminded me of being about 18 and going out clubbing and I wouldn't of been seen dead in a coat.

43 now but still feels like a few years ago not over 20!

Ha ha ! I have just been to Liverpool city centre to pick up my husband.i was so glad to be in my nice warm car ...and so was he when he got in !

Mamai90 · 09/12/2022 23:50

I enjoyed my youth and have wonderful memories but would I fuck go back!

I'm 40 now and a lot happier in my own skin. Of course there are elements that I miss but overall I'm probably happier now.

bossybloss · 09/12/2022 23:51

Mezmer · 09/12/2022 23:22

Im 50 and I miss being young as you know younger people generally see you as old. Have been out on my work do recently and the young people think you were born this age. It’s horrible. It’s not their fault but it’s easy to pick up on a slight patronising tone from them and you feel they ‘put up with’ you rather than want to spend any time with you. I just want to feel relevant again to the outside world because inside I’ve never felt better.

I am a bit older than you.When I was in my thirties I had a friend who was 30 years olds then me .I saw her as very wise ....would like to think I am like her ! (But I am probably not!)

FettleOfKish · 09/12/2022 23:53

God no. Maybe a few years ago I did, but I'm 39 now and while I enjoy a good evening with friends (often running into the small hours) I'm very very happy that my clubbing, schlepping around town in painful heels and no coat days are well in the past!

MadameDe · 09/12/2022 23:55

Definitely not. Mid-40s and I'm really happy with my life and who I am.

MadeForThis · 09/12/2022 23:55

I look back fondly on the 18-30 years. I wouldn't change them for the world. No responsibility, great nights out, parties and friends. But I really feel like I lived that life to the fullest and now I love my settled 40's. Home, kids, coffee and friends. Mostly the same friends but everyone has moved to the next stage. I don't feel old. I feel happy with where I am.

Swipe left for the next trending thread