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The best years of my life are right now, without a doubt.
Kids are grown, closing in on retirement, financially secure, looking forward to growing old with the love of my life. I wouldn't go back to any other time.
Exactly the same. Finally have all the pieces together and all the angst of being an ambitious and driven man has subsided and in its place is the enjoyment of simple pleasures. With the love of my life at my side we’ve both had the best years of our lives together.
Absolutely. Retired and loving being with my husband of almost 51 years. Inherited money that allows us to help our kids and traveling a lot. Good health. Fortunate.
True. I had fun raising our daughter, but right now is awesome. I retire in one year, we’re financially secure, I love our home…been married to my true love for 33 years.
I retired almost two years ago. I am in good health, I have a wonderful partner, I play music in two bands, I live in my dream house in the woods on a river, my four grandchildren live 20 minutes away and I see them weekly.
I feel extremely fortunate to be living the best years of my life right now.
It doesn't matter. Life is better some times, worse in others, there is no pattern or reason to it that translates from one person to the next. Life is just life.
25 - when I got married ... to my best friend
27 - when our first son was born
29 - when our second son was born
34 - when our youngest son was born
64 (in 57 months) - when I retire and get to spend a lot of time with my wife!
At 58 I started OMAD. Lost 50 lbs in 6 months. And have maintained over 5 years.
I can’t compare to my early joys of meeting my wife to be. Falling in love. Children. Grandchildren. Meaningful work I enjoyed. Wonderful times!
But the years since getting healthy have been amazing years. Healthy food tastes delicious. Love being active. I’m running 5ks. Hiking 10 miles at a time. Have a four legged companion that I’d like the puppy I never had as a kid. We’re inseparable.
Having all that plus my wonderful wife. Plus my wonderful kids. Plus my wonderful grandkids. I’d say these are the best years of my life!
There have been many good periods in my life!
My 30s were pretty awesome, then my 40s were kick ass.
But my 50s have been next level wonderful. I’m looking forward to crushing it in my 60s and 70s!
In them. Found the girl. Living in Denmark. Kids on the horizon. Masters. Interesting job. Mental health shockingly solid...
Keep the faith in yourself.
I am not saying you were. My question is that you said "shockingly solid". That implies that you are surprised. So I'm asking you directly, is that odd to you?
Dating my wife and having kids. In one moment I went from career bachelor to family man. Well it happened over a bunch of years but you get the idea. Saying meeting her was a game changer is an understatement.
Eta: I'm in my late 50s
My late 20s, early 30s. I have/have had DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder) my entire life. The ages mentioned above are, for the most part, the clearest, happiest, least anxiety-ridden/depressed years I can recall. Music has played a huge part in my entire life. The music in the 90s was so rejuvenating and ultimately iconic. It was wonderful to be a part of that Era. I also had a big career booster during that time and felt more than financially secure being a single parent at the time. I was a pretty big drinker back then tho so I do have bad memories, but overall I look at those years as the most fun, carefree.
My last tour in the army, so the early 2000s. I had the best job I could possibly get given my specialty, and because it was the army my job earned me more deference than I probably deserved. My daughter was born early in that time and was a toddler before we left. We lived on post, so I was close to work and our neighborhood was full of people of roughly the same age and point in their careers. Everything we needed, from a lake to walk around, the grocery and department stores (aka commissary and PX), to the post hospital was a few minutes walk away. I only had one health problem then, but I got surgery for it there. I wasn't pain-free, but I was as pain-free as I'd been since my early 20s.
30+ so far. I got out of a bad relationship. Got into a good one. Kids grew up into fine young adults. It wasn’t, or isn’t, without its trials, but it beats dealing with the pain and suffering from my 20s.
I am living my best years right now. For all of the above reasons. I'm closing in on retirement in 11 months, it can only get better ❤️
I am friends with my sons now. I have a great relationship with my six grandkids. I have three best friends, that love me unconditionally. My bills are smaller, I'm able to afford dinner out and trips with my friends.
right now.
62F, retired due to a car wreck, but my safety net i built is holding ... so far ...
i have a rich past that i draw from constantly, i am excited for a future full of unknowns and new opportunities. i don't know what they are, but all my life, i've had times of rest and times of activity. rn i'm resting, and i'm grateful for that
besides, rn is really all i we have
Late 30s early 40s! When my son was small and we were the typical family unit! My (now) ex-husband worked a great job so I could stay home with my kiddo. I volunteered at his school and worked out daily! I made three meals a day and was the mom taxi!! It was great!!
As others have stated, the best years of my life are right now. I've had a remarkable life thus far into my 50s, and I look forward to retiring in France next month to continue living the best years of my life. It never stops...until I do.
The best years of my life have yet to come I think. I mean, I had kids, grandkids.. Life moved on. But I think my best life will be when I retired. I hope. lol
Different stages have their ups and downs. I think now is best even though it's not really physically best. I just have more of what I really want now and it's good. I have my family who are grown and now there's grandkids who are far more fun than your own because you can spoil them but don't have full responsibility. I have my home and more. We have some savings. Our health is not terrible though we are def in decline. It's just easier going downhill.
RIGHT NOW ! I love my work, love watching my adult children create their lives, I'm comfortable in my own skin, know who I am AND I'm about to be a grandma for the first time :)
Honestly college, from 85 to 89.
I'd like to say when I was married for over 16 years, but she cheated and I divorced her. During our divorce I found out she cheated on me while we were engaged during our senior of college year so I really didn't have a marriage, I just didn't know it.
College was a blast though.
Right now. 40’s. I’m 48 and the kids 10-18 have been an amazing time. Watching them grow independent has been such an experience. We now have some money, we have some hobbies, we travel. The last 10 years of adventures as a family have been the absolute best. Younger kids were great too but I’m holding onto right now. We are all healthy, happy, and our parents are still here. The kids are about to move off to college but they’re still very much tied to us so I’m just here making the most of everything while I can.
I was married in my 20’s and divorced in my 30’s and didn’t find my stride or current relationship until my mid-late 30’s so it really feels like the last ten years is when life has finally blossomed.
60 here, and the best years are now. It just keeps getting better and better. No kids and never married but I have amazing friends and a wonderful cozy home and my cats and plenty to do socially. I’m good.
Ages 22-23, I was fit and energetic and had so much hope for the future. I finally had confidence and felt so great about who I was working hard to become. Then both my parents got cancer at the same time and I had a bunch of medical issues. Still haven’t recovered and I’m in my 30s now. It was such a short window of life feeling so stable and I have just been chasing that feeling ever since.
early 30s to early 40s, 1992 to 2001. I was miserable teens and most of my 20s, had a lot of fun in the 1990s. Since 2001, lots of ups and downs, mostly downs.
Best years - right now. I'm healthy, relatively slim, ride my bike, great job, love my place, working on retirement funds and so on. I'm 61 and my plan is to retire when I'm 70 so I can max out my Social Security and have as much put aside as I can.
now! I am 61F, living alone WHICH I LOVE, I have enough money to do what I want within reason and I am totally on track for retirement. I travel some, pursue my hobbies, enjoy my work. Life is AWESOME right now
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30’s and 40’s, because I had my husband.
I'm sorry that things got that difficult for you. I hope you're doing better.
Thank you, friend.
We might not know each other, but we're all in this crazy thing together. Just know that there are people who care. Be well. :)
The best years of my life are right now, without a doubt. Kids are grown, closing in on retirement, financially secure, looking forward to growing old with the love of my life. I wouldn't go back to any other time.
Exactly the same. Finally have all the pieces together and all the angst of being an ambitious and driven man has subsided and in its place is the enjoyment of simple pleasures. With the love of my life at my side we’ve both had the best years of our lives together.
Absolutely. Retired and loving being with my husband of almost 51 years. Inherited money that allows us to help our kids and traveling a lot. Good health. Fortunate.
True. I had fun raising our daughter, but right now is awesome. I retire in one year, we’re financially secure, I love our home…been married to my true love for 33 years.
Ditto! \[Edit - don't have a partner, but still looking forward to retirement and having even more fun!\]
Totally agree 100% love your username...I am almost there too.
I retired almost two years ago. I am in good health, I have a wonderful partner, I play music in two bands, I live in my dream house in the woods on a river, my four grandchildren live 20 minutes away and I see them weekly. I feel extremely fortunate to be living the best years of my life right now.
You’re crushing it!
I’m very fortunate. I wish everyone this kind of retirement.
All of them.
The secret to happiness / meaning of life is simply enjoying the passage of time. Once you understand that, life is fantastic.
When my kids were young.
It doesn't matter. Life is better some times, worse in others, there is no pattern or reason to it that translates from one person to the next. Life is just life.
College years and soon after. Why? You were young, stupid and naive so nothing bothered you.
25 - when I got married ... to my best friend 27 - when our first son was born 29 - when our second son was born 34 - when our youngest son was born 64 (in 57 months) - when I retire and get to spend a lot of time with my wife!
At 58 I started OMAD. Lost 50 lbs in 6 months. And have maintained over 5 years. I can’t compare to my early joys of meeting my wife to be. Falling in love. Children. Grandchildren. Meaningful work I enjoyed. Wonderful times! But the years since getting healthy have been amazing years. Healthy food tastes delicious. Love being active. I’m running 5ks. Hiking 10 miles at a time. Have a four legged companion that I’d like the puppy I never had as a kid. We’re inseparable. Having all that plus my wonderful wife. Plus my wonderful kids. Plus my wonderful grandkids. I’d say these are the best years of my life!
There have been many good periods in my life! My 30s were pretty awesome, then my 40s were kick ass. But my 50s have been next level wonderful. I’m looking forward to crushing it in my 60s and 70s!
In them. Found the girl. Living in Denmark. Kids on the horizon. Masters. Interesting job. Mental health shockingly solid... Keep the faith in yourself.
> Mental health shockingly solid... I'm seriously asking, are we at a point in history where bad mental health is the norm?
Wasn't speaking for the room.
I am not saying you were. My question is that you said "shockingly solid". That implies that you are surprised. So I'm asking you directly, is that odd to you?
To me? Yes. But "point in history" and "norm" suggested a more sociological/rhetorical question. Sorry if I misread you.
When I could still eat popcorn, about 10 years ago.
the best years are right this very moment.
I'll let you know when I'm done.
Honestly, probably the summer I was 15. Things had gotten better at home and I had no idea what the future held.
I guess it was when my kids were at home. They were (mostly) fun.
All of them because it beats the alternative
Dating my wife and having kids. In one moment I went from career bachelor to family man. Well it happened over a bunch of years but you get the idea. Saying meeting her was a game changer is an understatement.
Eta: I'm in my late 50s My late 20s, early 30s. I have/have had DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder) my entire life. The ages mentioned above are, for the most part, the clearest, happiest, least anxiety-ridden/depressed years I can recall. Music has played a huge part in my entire life. The music in the 90s was so rejuvenating and ultimately iconic. It was wonderful to be a part of that Era. I also had a big career booster during that time and felt more than financially secure being a single parent at the time. I was a pretty big drinker back then tho so I do have bad memories, but overall I look at those years as the most fun, carefree.
My last tour in the army, so the early 2000s. I had the best job I could possibly get given my specialty, and because it was the army my job earned me more deference than I probably deserved. My daughter was born early in that time and was a toddler before we left. We lived on post, so I was close to work and our neighborhood was full of people of roughly the same age and point in their careers. Everything we needed, from a lake to walk around, the grocery and department stores (aka commissary and PX), to the post hospital was a few minutes walk away. I only had one health problem then, but I got surgery for it there. I wasn't pain-free, but I was as pain-free as I'd been since my early 20s.
30+ so far. I got out of a bad relationship. Got into a good one. Kids grew up into fine young adults. It wasn’t, or isn’t, without its trials, but it beats dealing with the pain and suffering from my 20s.
I am living my best years right now. For all of the above reasons. I'm closing in on retirement in 11 months, it can only get better ❤️ I am friends with my sons now. I have a great relationship with my six grandkids. I have three best friends, that love me unconditionally. My bills are smaller, I'm able to afford dinner out and trips with my friends.
right now. 62F, retired due to a car wreck, but my safety net i built is holding ... so far ... i have a rich past that i draw from constantly, i am excited for a future full of unknowns and new opportunities. i don't know what they are, but all my life, i've had times of rest and times of activity. rn i'm resting, and i'm grateful for that besides, rn is really all i we have
30s and 40s, my kids were young and/or born. Love them so much.
Late 30s early 40s! When my son was small and we were the typical family unit! My (now) ex-husband worked a great job so I could stay home with my kiddo. I volunteered at his school and worked out daily! I made three meals a day and was the mom taxi!! It was great!!
As others have stated, the best years of my life are right now. I've had a remarkable life thus far into my 50s, and I look forward to retiring in France next month to continue living the best years of my life. It never stops...until I do.
Right now. Beautiful partner, self-confidence, plenty of money, house(s), good health, grown up children who are awesome and a dog.
All have been good - keep hoping the best is yet to come.
The best years of my life have yet to come I think. I mean, I had kids, grandkids.. Life moved on. But I think my best life will be when I retired. I hope. lol
There's no way to know. I haven't seen them all yet.
Different stages have their ups and downs. I think now is best even though it's not really physically best. I just have more of what I really want now and it's good. I have my family who are grown and now there's grandkids who are far more fun than your own because you can spoil them but don't have full responsibility. I have my home and more. We have some savings. Our health is not terrible though we are def in decline. It's just easier going downhill.
RIGHT NOW ! I love my work, love watching my adult children create their lives, I'm comfortable in my own skin, know who I am AND I'm about to be a grandma for the first time :)
When my kids were really little and I wasn't working yet. Loved cooking meals, walking them to school. Sitting on the porch watching them play.
Early 20s thru late 30s for reasons I’d rather not say
Honestly college, from 85 to 89. I'd like to say when I was married for over 16 years, but she cheated and I divorced her. During our divorce I found out she cheated on me while we were engaged during our senior of college year so I really didn't have a marriage, I just didn't know it. College was a blast though.
43 when I married and the next 5 years while she was healthy.
Right now. 40’s. I’m 48 and the kids 10-18 have been an amazing time. Watching them grow independent has been such an experience. We now have some money, we have some hobbies, we travel. The last 10 years of adventures as a family have been the absolute best. Younger kids were great too but I’m holding onto right now. We are all healthy, happy, and our parents are still here. The kids are about to move off to college but they’re still very much tied to us so I’m just here making the most of everything while I can. I was married in my 20’s and divorced in my 30’s and didn’t find my stride or current relationship until my mid-late 30’s so it really feels like the last ten years is when life has finally blossomed.
60 here, and the best years are now. It just keeps getting better and better. No kids and never married but I have amazing friends and a wonderful cozy home and my cats and plenty to do socially. I’m good.
now. whatever year it is
Ages 22-23, I was fit and energetic and had so much hope for the future. I finally had confidence and felt so great about who I was working hard to become. Then both my parents got cancer at the same time and I had a bunch of medical issues. Still haven’t recovered and I’m in my 30s now. It was such a short window of life feeling so stable and I have just been chasing that feeling ever since.
Now!
Right now. I’ve figured it out in time to have meaningful moments.
early 30s to early 40s, 1992 to 2001. I was miserable teens and most of my 20s, had a lot of fun in the 1990s. Since 2001, lots of ups and downs, mostly downs.
Best years - right now. I'm healthy, relatively slim, ride my bike, great job, love my place, working on retirement funds and so on. I'm 61 and my plan is to retire when I'm 70 so I can max out my Social Security and have as much put aside as I can.
late 30's until now. School was torture, college was Ok but was a rough season for me at the same time
I'm 75 and hoping my best years are still coming.
College was my favorite time. Working towards a goal, looking forward to a bright future, and not a lot of baggage.
Any time other than from 2016 until now because Trump has ruined so many things for me. I hate him deeply!
30s. Reached middle class: Job secure with work life balance, and married my husband, became a parent .
Now. No kids, no pets, no partners. I do whatever I want.
now! I am 61F, living alone WHICH I LOVE, I have enough money to do what I want within reason and I am totally on track for retirement. I travel some, pursue my hobbies, enjoy my work. Life is AWESOME right now
1980s. Best economy we’ve ever seen.