I am saddened that we never get to experience the exact same moment ever again

[Anonymous]

I have this feeling quite often that I can’t get moments back. And that anxiety after having a perfect day with my family that something will happen. It is the worst. Life is so unexpected and every moment is fragile and special. It stops me in my tracks and just feels so sad. I’ve become very aware of time with age. Everything feels finite and fleeting now. I miss the fearlessness and unawareness of youth.

[Anonymous]

There are so many moments ahead of us to look forward to!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have this feeling quite often that I can’t get moments back. And that anxiety after having a perfect day with my family that something will happen. It is the worst. Life is so unexpected and every moment is fragile and special. It stops me in my tracks and just feels so sad. I’ve become very aware of time with age. Everything feels finite and fleeting now. I miss the fearlessness and unawareness of youth.

I can relate to this. I am so much more conscious of my and everyone else’s mortality. I had a near death experience in my teens so I don’t fear death, but I am just so aware of the fleetingness of life. It’s heavy.

I guess this is how all our mid-life crises come to be.

[Anonymous]

I’ve felt really distressed by this during periods of my life when I was clinically anxious. Right now I can think about it without feeling very upset. But I don’t think the thought itself is disordered.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I always imagine that I am a time -traveller and I have come to revisit this moment. It makes even the mundane so beautiful.

I imagine that I am very old and on my deathbed and I have been given a chance to come back to my toddler having a meltdown and it just makes me happy and calm.

Thanks for offering this perspective! I've tried similar thought exercises but can see this being even more effective for appreciating the present.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I always imagine that I am a time -traveller and I have come to revisit this moment. It makes even the mundane so beautiful.

I imagine that I am very old and on my deathbed and I have been given a chance to come back to my toddler having a meltdown and it just makes me happy and calm.

Thanks for offering this perspective! I've tried similar thought exercises but can see this being even more effective for appreciating the present.

I agree this is a good way to appreciate the present more. I made sure to relish in raising my kids since the were newborn and I have and continue to, but I still wish I could raise them all over again —not to change anything but to experience it again, difficult as it was at points.

[Anonymous]

I feel this way a lot. It’s wistfulness, in part. Other part worry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks PPs! I feel this way usually daily and exactly, even in the mundane. Like standing in line at the bakery, I’ll never be this age, buying this cookie on this Monday at this exact time with these exact strangers.

Assuming this feeling never goes away? I’ve noticed it more the older I get?

I couldn’t tell if it’s some form of anxiety or just to another PP’s point, just life.

It’s not anxiety. Everything is not a medical issue OP

I’d call it maturity and insightfulness. Why do you assume it’s a bad thing?

[Anonymous]

You’re just reminiscing!

[Anonymous]

Maybe with my 82 yo father, cherish every moment and the fun memories