Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Empty nester, and living my best life at 54. Going on dates with my spouse, hiking, concerts, theater, spur of the moment weekend trips. Our relationship suffered while raising kids, as I always put them first. Also, finally lost those stubborn 20 pounds I was hanging on to for decades I could focus on eating healthy and not what kid 1 needed for sports and picky eater kid 2 would eat and vegetarian kid 3 you get my drift.

Also, visiting kids 2 and 3 at college, and occaisionally having kid 1 over for dinner - when he chooses and we are home. I don't want to jinx it, but everything is great

I think if you still like your spouse, your fifties can be good. My husband and I avoid each other, mostly, so I dislike the empty nester stage.

I adore my spouse. Still hate being in my 50s.

I'm 52, and will be 53 in a few weeks. No inspiring story from me. This getting older stuff is awful. 0/10 do not recommend.

Anonymous wrote:Empty nester, and living my best life at 54. Going on dates with my spouse, hiking, concerts, theater, spur of the moment weekend trips. Our relationship suffered while raising kids, as I always put them first. Also, finally lost those stubborn 20 pounds I was hanging on to for decades I could focus on eating healthy and not what kid 1 needed for sports and picky eater kid 2 would eat and vegetarian kid 3 you get my drift.

Also, visiting kids 2 and 3 at college, and occaisionally having kid 1 over for dinner - when he chooses and we are home. I don't want to jinx it, but everything is great

I think if you still like your spouse, your fifties can be good. My husband and I avoid each other, mostly, so I dislike the empty nester stage.

53 here and as I was folding my teen daughter's clothes I realized how happy I am compared to how sad I thought I would be at this age, when I was her age (16). I have no desire to dress like a teen or fit into smaller sizes and it is so freeing (I have a wardrobe of fave T shirts of fave bands, though). So far my 50s have been so freeing...you just don't care about a lot of stuff any more! You figure out better what works and what doesn't. You have more energy to focus on others and to encourage them. My son is off to college and my daughter has 3 more years of high school. Having even just one less person at home gives you a little breathing room.

Life begins at 50...and so do colonoscopies!

Just turned 50 and love to hear more of these. My 40s were my absolute best decade but so much change now - kids growing up, parents getting very old and passing away. My work is going amazing so I am relieved at that

Anonymous wrote:published fiction
taught a workshop overseas
did an open mike

you will have a good decade!

Love this! And the whole thread. I hope more people post.

published fiction
taught a workshop overseas
did an open mike

you will have a good decade!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Empty nester, and living my best life at 54. Going on dates with my spouse, hiking, concerts, theater, spur of the moment weekend trips. Our relationship suffered while raising kids, as I always put them first. Also, finally lost those stubborn 20 pounds I was hanging on to for decades I could focus on eating healthy and not what kid 1 needed for sports and picky eater kid 2 would eat and vegetarian kid 3 you get my drift.

Also, visiting kids 2 and 3 at college, and occaisionally having kid 1 over for dinner - when he chooses and we are home. I don't want to jinx it, but everything is great

Man, I can't wait. I'll be 56 when my youngest goes off to college, and we will both retire. We plan on traveling, and living like we did pre-kids. I can't wait.

We'll be 55 when our youngest heads to college and we're planning to digital nomad for a bit and then retire and continue traveling. Keep the house in DC for awhile, I think.

Now that mine are older teens, DH & I do a lot more weekends away, theater, concerts, dinner w friends, etc. Loving this newfound freedom.

Anonymous wrote:We still several years to go before empty nest but I love these stories!

I love these stories, but they assume affluence, so I take them with a grain of salt.

We still several years to go before empty nest but I love these stories!

Anonymous wrote:Empty nester, and living my best life at 54. Going on dates with my spouse, hiking, concerts, theater, spur of the moment weekend trips. Our relationship suffered while raising kids, as I always put them first. Also, finally lost those stubborn 20 pounds I was hanging on to for decades I could focus on eating healthy and not what kid 1 needed for sports and picky eater kid 2 would eat and vegetarian kid 3 you get my drift.

Also, visiting kids 2 and 3 at college, and occaisionally having kid 1 over for dinner - when he chooses and we are home. I don't want to jinx it, but everything is great

Man, I can't wait. I'll be 56 when my youngest goes off to college, and we will both retire. We plan on traveling, and living like we did pre-kids. I can't wait.

I hope my 50s or even 60s are better because being a mom to a toddler in my 40s is defeating. My relationship is failing because we’ve argued non-stop since kid was born. I feel bottom of the totem pole. I hope things get better. It’s inspiring to here PP say life got easier for her.

Empty nester, and living my best life at 54. Going on dates with my spouse, hiking, concerts, theater, spur of the moment weekend trips. Our relationship suffered while raising kids, as I always put them first. Also, finally lost those stubborn 20 pounds I was hanging on to for decades I could focus on eating healthy and not what kid 1 needed for sports and picky eater kid 2 would eat and vegetarian kid 3 you get my drift.

Also, visiting kids 2 and 3 at college, and occaisionally having kid 1 over for dinner - when he chooses and we are home. I don't want to jinx it, but everything is great

In 16 months here I am...talk to me that I have a chance to have my best decade soon!