Anonymous wrote:I know what you mean, I had lots of adventures at those ages and life seemed wide open. But I had depression and insecurity, substance abuse, and unhealthy relationships. I’m much more stable now, and I even enjoy the daily grind with my little kids. My life isn’t exciting, but it’s full of sweet moments. I woukdn’t go back.

I’m the pp above you. I miss the sweet moments! Now it’s just a grind of laundry, cooking, dishes, chauffeuring, and giving my tweens money. Not much in it for me!

I know what you mean, I had lots of adventures at those ages and life seemed wide open. But I had depression and insecurity, substance abuse, and unhealthy relationships. I’m much more stable now, and I even enjoy the daily grind with my little kids. My life isn’t exciting, but it’s full of sweet moments. I woukdn’t go back.

I agree except for me it was 24 (the year I got married) to 35 (the year my youngest went to K.) I’m worried that was the best decade of my life. Now my mom is gone, my kids need me so much less, my job is meh.

44 woman here- I decided not to get married or have kids, because I didn’t want to grow up. 100+ countries later, I’m glad I chose this path. Lots of people used to feel sorry for me ‘poor lonely spinster’, but I didn’t feel sorry for myself and have enjoyed my life. I think not settling down has kept my young. Sometimes I wonder if I missed out on something, but the majority of the time I’m happy I chose a selfish life.

I miss the physical ability to recover and recuperate quickly. But I sure don't miss how stupid I was when I was that age...

Eh I think a lot of this is just "grass is greener" syndrome.

I had a great, crazy youth. But I don’t miss it. Maybe because I’m much older, but the insecurities of my 20’s and even 30’s are long gone and I feel free at 64. I’d like the tight skin back but that’s about it.

I hear you. And I also regret wasting so much time thinking I was fat (I was not at all) and worrying about the fact that I was single.

JFC. I was young, skinny, making 125k, childfree, and living in a great city, with a great job. Had no idea what I had.

Anonymous wrote:Aspects of my youth I do miss and in hindsight they may have been carefree but at the time they did not always feel carefree between building a career , living on a shoestring and looking for the right guy... which is probably why I miss my 30s more than my 20s.

This. Guess I've always been kind of a cautious worrywart. If someone had told me back then, it'll all work out eventually: you'll have a career, find and marry a great guy and have amazing kids, I'd have enjoyed my 20s a lot more!

I miss getting a cold and not thinking for a second, "Is this more than a cold?" Or getting back pain that lasts for three minutes, not one that requires PT. I miss having only a doctor, not "doctors".

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Youth is wasted on the young!

+1

+2

Aspects of my youth I do miss and in hindsight they may have been carefree but at the time they did not always feel carefree between building a career , living on a shoestring and looking for the right guy... which is probably why I miss my 30s more than my 20s.

Anonymous wrote:My early 20's sucked and I wouldn't want to re-live them.

+1

My best years were in my late 20s, early 30s. And they weren't perfect either.

You have to find something to be happy about at every stage of your life, otherwise, honestly, what's the point?

It was fun, but there were also downsides. My 20s had a lot of uncertainty and dues paying and hard work along with the fun and lack of serious responsibilities.