To ask what amazing things happened to you after age 36?! I feel like I’m old and there’s nothing fun anymore

[Burnoutqq]

Just that really. I know it’s silly. I just wish I had more knowledgeable of good things happening in late 30s onwards. I feel like all the exciting stuff is for younger people and I don’t feel too optimistic about the future. I’m a single parent to a 2 year old (so as not to drip feed). Her dad sees her almost every weekend and pays fairly etc. In case relevant.

I got remarried.
It was a major upgrade 😂

I blossomed, was more confident and relaxed, got better job, was generally healthier and more attractive after 36 and that continued into my fifties. I enjoyed life. I intend to enjoy life now I'm in my seventies but of course in a different way and I don't go to work any more. I certainly wouldn't want to be young again.

36 is a marvellous age.

Retrained at 39, whole new career
Very sadly lost my partner at 48 but rebuilt my life, new partner, moved house
Lost a mass of weight and got fit again
Holiday of a lifetime in 2019 with my teenage son, we had the most fun it is possible to have

You're in the small child years - it's tough! Look for other parents to make connections with, they make good friends evfn if they're not the kind of person you'd usually hang out with.

There's only so much you can do with a 2 year old! They're pretty draining and full on. But things will get easier and you'll be able to do more and more with them (and without them). You have loads to look forward to, get out and about with dd, meet other mums and remember they don't stay little forever.

At 36 I also had a 2yo and I can empathise with the feeling of being stuck on a bit of a (sometimes quite lonely, and often very boring) treadmill.
I'm 39 now.
I started a new career last year which is much more intellectually stimulating than my previous role. It's also forced me to do things outside of my comfort zone, which has been great for my confidence.
I go wild camping a lot with my kids (we added a second into the mix and watching them play together is it's own whole amazing thing 🥰 but I appreciate that that may not be relevant to your situation).
This year my childcare costs will plummet. Most of that will get eaten up by the mortgage increase 🙄 but I'm looking forward to having slightly more disposable income to put towards some improvements.
I made some decisions about boundaries in my marriage, which felt scary at the time but I think are going to be good for us both overall and help us have a healthier relationship together.
Becoming a parent has given me some insights into why my mum was the way that she was, with the result that we have a much softer, gentler relationship than I did in my twenties.
It's hard to describe but I feel like my life has finally started. It's still not wildly exciting but I feel very peaceful and content, after decades of feeling quite rootless and angry and unsure of who I was. I'm excited about turning 40 and all that the next decade will bring!

I got married, emigrated and had a baby. Then I got two cats, two dogs, chickens and sheep. I learned to drive and learned how to do wood-working, renovated my home, and started a new career, and I’m now my first boss’s boss!

Edited to add: Sorry, didn't see this was an old post!

So many things! I had my children aged 32 and 35, now in late 40s. Since age 36:
Got accepted onto a funded programme that took me to the US, Ireland, Switzerland and Germany for training and professional development
Won a short story competition
Started a new job
Made lots of new friends
Had a lovely time watching my sons grow and develop, they are now 14 and 16

Since turning 36 I've had 3DC, got my ideal job, bought the house of my dreams, got fit, read War and Peace, travelled to countries I've not been to before. Should I go on?

My MIL went to Russia for the first time in her 80s, there's always opportunities for new adventures whatever your age.

I am 52 and living my best life. I travel solo and with family, pursue hobbies, have achieved a lot in my career after 45, made new friends... So glad to be rid of my periods too. I am finally liberated from childrearing and caring about sexual desirability.

Well I got married at 41 - that was pretty amazing! Was a single parent for many years so understand how hard it is op.

I’m 47 and so far, my 40s have been SO much better than my thirties.

I’m fitter and healthier. I started exercising seriously in my 40s, stopped drinking alcohol, lost 20lbs and kept it off.

My career has taken off. I’m in a senior leadership role in a career I started at 36 (retrained in my mid-30s), earning more than I ever have before and enjoying my job immensely.

I’ve travelled to some amazing places (I toured Japan & China for my 40th birthday, and did an American road trip last year. Brazil next year!).

My idea of fun has changed, for sure. I’m not interested in late nights and partying anymore (I was the original party girl/raver!) but I have great fun in new ways. I’m learning a new language at the moment, I’ve got a new passion for white water rafting and walking and I’ve finally started writing the novel I’ve been saying I would since I was 25 😆.

You’re feelings are very likely tied up with being in the grinding years of raising young children, rather than solely your age. Hang on in there!

Toddler years are hard. You lose yourself a bit as a person when you’re so deep in constant meal making, bum wiping, CBeebies songs etc.

When I was 36 my children were at school and I decided on a new career path, started retraining, started weight lifting and running, I’m 39 now and done 3 half marathons and made lots of new friends through hobbies and the kids school.

Nothing good happens after 36, it’s a well-known fact 🙄

Really, we had very young children at that stage. I’m now 52 and our kids are young adults. I didn’t go back to full-time work until my youngest was in year 8. In that time, I’ve done loads more study and have really progressed in my career. The best is yet to come for you. OP. It was nice at the time, but I’d hate to go back to having young kids.

I started and completed a degree. Changed careers. Adopted an older child. Ran three Survival of the Fittest races. Moved across the country. I’ve just carried on living my life really.

For me my 30s was probably my best decade and I'd love to be 36 again. I've had lots of health issues in my 40s. But that isn't the case for everyone. What is better now is that I'm more settled in myself. I've got crappy relationships behind me and I'm single with just me and my kids to worry about. I've moved up the ladder a bit at work and other people's opinions and judgments don't feel as important anymore.

I’m about to turn 38 and my life is a thousand times better than when I was say 30. I got with my now DH at 33 after leaving an awful abusive relationship, started a new career at 34 which has flourished and I’m just about to launch my own company. I got married at 36 and I couldn’t be happier, my husband is amazing.

I don’t have or want children so this gives me a bit more freedom than you might have but I still go out and do loads of stuff. This year I’ve been to see several of my favourite bands and artists, been to comic con, days/nights out in London, pubs, dinners, clubs etc and not once have I felt too old. I already have stuff booked for later in the year and for my birthday I’m booking a suite at my favourite hotel for 3 nights, stupidly extravagant yes but I’m going to enjoy every minute.

What do you like doing? If I had a child I would take them to kid related stuff and be excited seeing/doing things with them. I love stuff like crafts, dressing up, games etc. It was fun to see families at comic con with the children dressed as their favourite characters. I have very little knowledge about kids so sorry if that last part sounds silly. I know the reality of children is probably a lot different to what I think in my head and they are also a lot of work!

At 36, dh and I were finally able to buy our first family home (after saving for a deposit for 8 years) we moved away from the city to live near the sea ( & nearer family) a year later we had baby no2. We have a 4 year old and a toddler who adore each other.
I passed my driving test 1st time 7 months ago (I’d been having lessons on and off for the last 4 years!) Dh gave me lots of extra lessons, so I have him to thank for being so patient!
I quit my FT job to go PT doing something completely different, it’s less stressful & I get to spend lots more time with my babies.
We’ve just booked out first holiday abroad in 6 years.
I started exercising regularly about 5/6 months ago & already feel so much fitter and just generally feel better in myself, physically & mentally. I used to hate running ‘I’m not a runner’ was my excuse. I couldn’t run more than 5 mins without having to stop. Now I can run 5k comfortably.

I’m 40 next year & these last 5 years have been the most eventful/exciting/life changing. I feel very content and love family life, I’m excited for the future but I’m just really enjoying living in the present.

Women are constantly told ageing is terrible. I disagree.

I became more confident and assertive after I turned 36. I passed my driving test, had a second child, moved to a new area and got a new job. I also made lots of new friends in the neighborhood and work.

I compete internationally in a new hobby I started age 44. Didn’t see that one coming.

that's just incredible. Well done!

Completely. Life as a woman for me has only improved with age. We are told that 40 is basically dead because we become undesirable and stupid, it couldn’t be farther from the truth. We* can become content, liberated, independent. The patriarchy just doesn’t like that.
(*not all women experience aging the same obviously)
Some of us aren’t lucky enough to make it to old age.

As Caroline Hirons says, Old is the goal.

Who is Lucy Jordan?

@notmollybutdolly https://open.spotify.com/track/1nzsNRgehbmvD6pHCCkPSE?si=Xee8hmfkSPi6R1bfsSithA

The subject of a song by Marianne Faithfull.