To think the first half of your life is the best part?

[Imissmanchesterrain]

Apologies for sounding so pessimistic, but when I think about the future now, I can’t see many pluses..Dh and I will get older, my parents will pass away, well enjoy watching Dd grow, but then she’ll leave and then what.
Im 45 and up until a few years ago, I never felt this way. The first half of my life was exciting, mainly full of fun and promise, so much to look forward to
Wouldnt life be better lived the other way around, like it gets better and better?

My middle years were the worst - infertility in 30s, coming to terms with childlessness in 40s, our elderly parents, mum with dementia needing a lot of care and DH getting cancer in my 50s. Now in my early 60s and retired I finally feel I'm living my best life and doing the travel I dreamed of.

I've really enjoyed reading this thread and I hope you are feeling better about life now, OP.

I'm right in the thick of things now - I'm 46, teenagers, additional needs, elderly relatives with dementia, looking after bloody everyone while trying to do a decent job at work. But, I actually feel very positive about the years ahead. I'm working hard on my fitness and although I know that it'll be super painful when the children leave and older loved-ones die, a significant bit of me is looking forward to being a bit selfish and living life on my terms without the insecurities and depression that plagued me in my 20s. I'm happy now too and of course nothing is guaranteed for the years ahead so I'm trying to make sure I enjoy this bit too but I do know quite a few women in their 50s who are enjoying the freedom it brings!

OP - I hear what you are saying about having to work for many more years and not just being able to up sticks and travel. But maybe there will be opportunities to take on different work roles that you enjoy more, have nice weekends away by the seaside, save up for holidays, and just have cosy evenings watching something you like with a bowl of something you like and a cuppa or glass of wine, or a coffee and a good chat with friends. Those things bring me a lot of joy these days.

I am 71. My life has been wonderful since about 30. My life changes but it is still good. We are enjoying our grandchildren, travelling and walking.
However, it does depend on a lot of things. If you have people round you who you love and they love you, you have good health and you are comfortably off ( you do not need to be rich) life doesn’t get any better. I am very aware I am fortunate and health can deteriorate quickly.
OP you should not get upset at the thought of losing your parents. As someone who is older that is just the order of things and you will get new people into your life. The older you get the more you worry less about death.

@SpraggleWaggle quotes are from The Middle Passage by James Hollis