How has your life turned out?

dave3004 wrote: »

My friends nicknamed me "pipedream" when in school.

My dreams are experience/travel related rather than anything with a career etc..

Brother i don't think those friends meant that particular interpretation of the term

I'm recently over a very long illness. I never realized that I was so unwell! Going back to college into a new course and everything is on the up and up. I'm delighted I have my health and I'm dying to get stuck back into things. I'm approaching mid twenties and no, I'm not where I imagined but I have a ridiculous imagination and a lot of the time I felt like crap when I was younger. I'm far more hopeful a person now than I ever was so being ill has maybe given me a better perspective on things than some people might have.
I'm very jealous of all the travel some people are doing right now in my age group though.

I'm happy. A nice place to live and a good relationship is enough for me. Became an uncle too, very happy about that. Am in a stable and very easy job that requires almost no thought and I can browse the net all day. Not a huge amount of money in it, but much, much better than being on the dole.

I'm 47 now, and so far, so good. Some big ups & downs along the way but overall things worked out pretty well. I am grateful.

I dont have any fixed plans for the next few years, I need to think about that. I think planning is important, even if plans often do not work out. The act of planing is healthy.

Also I need to quit smoking.

Mr.Plough wrote: »

Just having one of those "Think about life moments".


Has your life turned out how you thought it would?

We all had this picture when we were younger of where we would be at X age, whether it be having a family, qualification, good job, financial security, level of fitness, your own home, travelled alot etc.

What were your goals when you were younger and how many have you achieved? What ones do you still plan on achieving and what ones (if any) have you given up on?

How has your life and outlook changed due to unforeseen events? (Economy, illness, unplanned pregnancy etc)

How happy/unhappy are you with life currently and the direction you're going?

I had one goal, to not end up like my mother. She did nothing with her life, got married at 21, had kids and was always bitter about having to give up work when she got married. She scrubbed floors for rich people for a bit of spare cash, which most might find admirable, but it was only so she wouldn't have to push herself to take on any significant responsibility or role.

So I spent my 20s living the life, I was a messer in school and had no inclination towards college, but I did a diploma part time got a decent job and really worked hard to get a really good income. Went on fantastic holidays, was out every night, houseshared with the best of people, all of different nationalities and backgrounds and really made the best out of my job.

It was all with the intention that when I did settle down and have kids I would have no regrets, left nothing out that I wanted to do and broadened and expanded my world as much as I could.

Now, I'm settled, married, two beautiful boys and have absolutely no regrets whatsoever. Life isn't perfect, a few extra quid would be nice, but yes, I am where I wanted to be and yes most things have worked out the way I wanted. Anything that hasn't worked out the way I wanted has worked out for the best.

I'd say my life is fairly close to what I had in mind - in terms of family, professional life, education, etc.

I'd like a more secure job and some more time to get in a bit more exercise and enjoy the great outdoors.

Other than that, I can't complain. I've been very lucky/blessed.

I don't think I had any real ambitions growing up. My self-belief in my own abilities wasn't the best back in the day and didn't think I could achieve much. I've been my own worst enemy growing up and over the past number years I've been trying to muster up a bit of self-belief and trying to drown out the voice telling me I can't do it. I know I could achieve a lot more if I believed I could but I'm actively working on that.

Saying all that, I've had a charmed life really. Travelled, got my degree (never thought I was the college type but managed it somehow), lived in a few different countries, have always had good friends who've never fooked me over and although I've been in many relationships, they've all been great in their own way, even if they didn't work out in the end. Only one looney but that didn't last for long.

I couldn't ask for a better family and I don't wake up in the morning with a feeling of dread at the idea of going to work. I'm broke but I always have been so it's no skin off my nose at this stage. I budget well. I'm in a relationship with a good man who respects me completely and who I can be myself around all the itme. I've my own (rented) place in the centre of a beautiful city and I have my health.

I've realised that comparing yourself to others is a receipe for disaster, it really, really is. I try my best to set my own standards for myself now and try to do what makes me happy. My own happiness is my main priority for myself now.

I've dreams of owning my own bookshop/coffee shop someday and I'm confident that will happen down the line, even if it takes 20 years. I think I'd be good at it as I've had maybe 40 jobs in total and know the service industry inside out. I'd know how to make it work, I think and I think I'd be a good boss.

I suppose as I had no expectations of how my life would turn out because I never expected much for myself, things have worked out much better than I could've ever dreamed and that's deadly. Have to keep reminding myself of that when I start the auld comparison thing though.