47 years old and I have to admit, I miss my youth. And by youth I mean those glorious years between 18-25 when everything is so much fun. My life now is fine, I have a great husband, kids, job that I'm satisfied with, hobbies. But nothing beats the absolute effortless, goofy, silly FUN you have in your late teens/early 20's . It's so sad that such a magical stage passes so early in life. Sorry for being a Debbie Downer, not really looking for any advice just need to get it off my chest. |
I agree with you some days. I'd like to know what I know now and still have that fun. Though, my idea of fun was plotting world peace or stuff like that. I'm no Greta, but I can't wait to see what she thinks in 20 years. |
Yes, it's a good time, and I think most people, me included, don't fully appreciate it while it's happening. |
Youth is wasted on the young! |
Seriously!!! Though I got married and had kids late - BEST DECISION EVER! So my twenties and lower thirties were awesome. Teens were fun but really was happiest when I was single and working. I do try to build the fun back in...vacations with friends, going out with friends, still seeing concerts/dancing ..my kids are are getting older now so I feel like I have more fun in my fifties then I sure did in my 40s! Hang in there. |
Same here OP. No clue what to do about it, but you're not alone. |
+1 |
Ugh YES. I'm not even sure that I miss my skinny young dumb body so much as I miss the feeling of freedom and independence; of most of my biggest life decisions and events yet to play out (marriage, kids, career). Time moves much faster now and the days have so much predictability. I have a better idea of what we'll be doing in 5 or 10 years. There's so much more comfort, stability, and love in my life than there ever was when I was young and I wouldn't trade that for anything. But I long for those days of driving around with a car full of friends, windows down, music blaring, no idea where the night or your life is going to take you! |
Whenever I feel like this I try to remember that in another 10 or 15 years I will probably miss certain things about this current stage of my life as well!
I had a blast in my 20s, that's for sure. I had great friends, had fun dating, met my DH, we had over 8 years together before we had our first kid. So many fun trips, and dinner and happy hours that went one or two drinks too long. But I don't really think it's productive to pine for another time. I do want to make sure I am healthy enough to enjoy life as my kids get more independent that's for sure. |
So this!! The feeling of freedom and just being with friends and having barely no responsibilities! What I miss even more though was around age 27-32 when I started making good money and could just pick up and travel anywhere I wanted to... I got married after that and those days ended. I love my husband and my kids mean more to me than anything in the world but there's just something about being single and not being tied to anyone! Again- it's that feeling of freedom that I miss so much! |
My early 20's sucked and I wouldn't want to re-live them. |
Yes. I met my husband at 26, got married at 28, but we waited to have our kids until 34. We had a lot of time being carefree and lots of disposable $$$. We traveled and lived abroad and partied. By my mid-30s I was ready to cool it for a bit. My mom and dad had a great time as empty nesters. They traveled so much and were always hosting dinner parties and going out to fabulous restaurants. My mom talks about her 50s/60s as some of her happiest times---without responsibility of care-giving anymore. I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel with my kids heading to HS next year. My kids are so independent now that the 'burden' of care-giving has lessened. They can get up, eat, dressed, do schoolwork, out the door, without me having to say anything. If I could just have me weekends/weeknights back from kid sports I would be lovin' it. I will be eligible to retire when they start college. Let the parties begin! |
I don't miss being young. My early 20s were unremarkable. Academic grind, working hard, I don't recall it being amazingly special or fun. I'm 40 and I have more money and do more things now than I did when I was 25. I do also have more responsibilities and perhaps that is what you might be feeling?
As long as I am healthy and fit I will never have reasons to envy the young 20-somethings. And, frankly, I'm healthier than many 20 somethings I see. |
(shrug) I'm 55 and I'm having fun. It's a different kind of fun, and to be honest, probably a better kind of fun. |
I’d settle for 30. But I get it. |