To think being young was just amazing

[Icouldsmellspringabitthismorning]

I’m not old, but I’m 45 and currently watching Totp and thinking about being a kid and a teen, even up to 30’s really, it was so much easier? So much to look forward to and I never really worried/had any worries.
My childhood wasn’t perfect and my Dd has a much more magical one filled with more love…but..I wish youth could last forever 😔

A bit of both really. I settled down young with DH so I’m going to comment on teens v. 20s onwards. I adore having kids and always wanted them so what I have now - amazing DH, 3 wonderful healthy children - is basically what I always wanted.

And yet… even though I was deeply unhappy for much of my adolescence I still miss it. A certain freedom and excitement and all the possibilities that were open. Being fearless and feeling invincible.

"Young and lovely" 🙄

I’m mid 30s and probably the happiest and most settled I’ve ever felt. Probably my fittest too. Youth wasn’t great for me.

Now early 30s I really feel this. Did a lot of travelling and living in other countries in my 20s. Stayed slim easily.

Now have a health issue & some body issues due to gaining weight and stretch marks. The sense of 'so much time' feels more like the clock is quietly ticking now.

I loved my 30s too. It was the best decade of my life but to me it was still young. I’m 70 this year and as far as I’m concerned you’re still very young. I hope you continue to love your 30s as much as I did. Halcyon days.

I'll be forty at the end of this year and there are definitely things I miss from my youth and also things I wish I could re-do (and probably do differently).

The main things I miss from my youth though are quite external things. My mum died when I was thirty and my nana died a few years later. They were important people in my life and I miss them both so much. My dad moved on with a new partner who I don't love, so the beautiful family home we grew up in is not somewhere I'm comfortable anymore. It's fine - my dad is entitled to have whoever he wants in his home, but that's something I do miss.

It's things like that I miss, rather than the actual youth. I had plenty of worries as a young person, so I don't recognise the carefree, anxiety free youth thing. And although I have more responsibility now with DCs etc, I also care a lot less now about other people's opinions and I take a lot less crap from people now. I used to be very socially anxious and eager to please all the time. I was always disappointed when someone didn't like me and didn't even think about whether or not I liked them. Now I'm a lot more discerning and don't let people walk all over me.

So I think on balance I disagree.

See, I still see 30’s as being young, me being 45 isn’t old..but, there’s a big difference in how I felt/how my life was
in my 30’s to now, especially early 30’s…still travelling lots and v carefree (aside from working full time) even still a little towards my late 30’s but then I had a baby.
The massive difference has been post covid, so could be either due to that or possibly peri menopause creeping in 🤷🏻‍♀️I don’t know, but I don’t want to lose the feeling I had and the way I was

I had a wonderful childhood, my teenage years were amazing and my early twenties were pretty exciting too. My late twenties weren't great due to DV but I still have some good memories if I mentally blur out his face. Tbh my whole life has been pretty good, for the most. I'm 55 now and, although I'm not setting the world alight and struggle from time to time, I'm pretty content with my lot. I have plans for my retirement too, although Im hoping it all slows down a bit, lol

My teens and twenties and even my thirties were far from amazing. I was far too worried about pleasing other people and had no sense of myself. Now I’m on my late 40s I feel like I’ve really hit my stride - an retraining for a new career and excited about the future. I know what makes me happy and I try to prioritise those things. The sense that life is finite helps me enjoy the moment. Would NOT want to go back.

Nah, my childhood and up until my late 20s were full of fear and pain. I'm 35 now and I've found a peace and happiness I didn't know was possible. I will concede that my experience of youth is certainly not the normal or average so other people will feel differently.

I don't miss how daft I was..

Every single year that puts distance between me and my teenage years is very welcome! I was thinking this morning, how, looking back, my teens were riddled with low level depression and anxiety. In retrospect I was incredibly insecure, had no self worth, was deeply lonely, had very poor standards and expectations for what I deserved in life and was just generally a complete mess. I was wild and hid behind a party girl persona. Inside I was just desperately hurting and longing to be loved.

I'm 40 now and the happiest, most stable and self assured I've ever been. I honestly really enjoy my life now. When I look at my daughters I feel so for the teenager/early 20s me of the past. I have zero nostalgia about those.

I look better now too!

Physically without doubt!!

I had a happy childhood though and have been able to relive a lot of those moments with my own kids

I feel lucky to have been young in a time before social media, when the economy was in good shape, property was more affordable and life was generally less difficult. I don't think being young is a picnic these days tbh.

I do miss my youthful body and face. Back in the day I looked good in a binbag. Now it takes a hell of a lot more effort...