I'm 47. I'm miserable. I've been miserable since I was at least 3 years old, if not earlier. I'm in a better place job-wise than I was at 35 though it's a dead end job and can't change that, but absolutely hate where I live and am stuck, and am only getting older, slower, fatter, further behind everyone else.

I mostly fit the typical U-shape of happiness. I'm running a little late because my parents were over 30 when I was born and I was over 35 when we had our kids. Age 51 was the bottom for all the usual reasons - career problems (laid off), first ripples of personal health problems, parents dying, finances keeping me up at night and kids having major life problems. At 60, it's better, I guess.

Some of my friends are definitely on the upswing as some of those midlife worries/responsibilities go away. They are starting financially comfortable retirements, grand kids and basically not having to give a f-k about a lot of things. I hope to get there. I'm just running a little late.

I’m 50. I finally have the disposable income to travel. Kids are teens and are fun to be around and mostly self sufficient. My 16yr old DD and my relationship is slowly morphing into friendship. Not that I still don’t guide and influence her but she’s more willing to share the tea and ask my opinions before making a decision.

Having money to do fun things in a whim is great. Not having a husband to have to cater to is fantastic. And not caring what people think of what you’re wearing or your opinions is freeing. I no longer care if you agree with me and my decisions; as long as I can live with myself, I’m comfortable with who I am.

Anonymous wrote:Subject line says it all… are you happier later in life than when you were when you were 35?

No, I am significantly “less happy.”

Except for the aches and pains of being old being retired with a high net worth is not bad!

I was always fairly happy but stressors of young kids began to wane at 45, by 50, my youngest was beginning high school. Definitely in a more relaxed place.

Anonymous wrote:But, you're at rock bottom at 47. It's called the U-Curve of Happiness. Google it.

This. Not 35.

I'm at my lowest late 40s.

At 38 we had three kids five and under and I was dissatisfied with my job so life was hectic and uncertain but our marriage was strong so we weathered it. At 48 I had a wonderful job, my kids were becoming self sufficient to some extent and our marriage was still strong. So late 40s was better than late 30s but we did love the craziness of the toddler years.

Anonymous wrote:But, you're at rock bottom at 47. It's called the U-Curve of Happiness. Google it.

I am 47 and I think/hope on the upward slope. I think my nadir was 40ish.

For most the difficulty and tedium of child rearing is over.

I’m 51 and suffering through this absolute misery of perimenopause. It’s affecting every aspect of my life.

I can see how my life will be exponentially more enjoyable once my menstruating years are behind me. So, I’m not there yet, but I am hopeful given the other aspects of my life.

Nadir of happiness

But, you're at rock bottom at 47. It's called the U-Curve of Happiness. Google it.

Subject line says it all… are you happier later in life than when you were when you were 35?