Living your best life

I lived my best life from the day I was born, we were poor but had loving parents and then I met my soulmate and for the next 53 years we lived a fantastic life, had children and grandchildren, went on holidays all over the world. Sadly he died, and now he is no longer with me, I live my life in peace and comfort and I do not wish for anything other than for him to come back again.

cornergran, I agree with do it while you can - as long as it’s something you actually want to do, not something you’re being chivvied into by other people who say you ought to enjoy it.

AGAA4
I am so sorry to read of your loss🥲 It sounds that you are picking yourself up & have a supportive family beside you .Take care 😘

We try to follow our lovely friends advice - do it while you can.

‘It’ could be a walk on the beach, a long or short holiday, visiting or entertaining friends, a day out, sitting in the garden, listening to somewhat terrifying tales of their lives as told by teenage grandchildren, cooking for the family, going to the theatre. The possibilities are endless. What our friend meant was don’t regret not having done something, enjoy each day as it comes. She was following her own advice until her death aged 95. We’re doing our best to outlive her.

I believe that being content with life is one of the greatest blessings. Chasing happiness never leads to contentment.
Apart from some sad times I have always been content with my life.

I have always been content with the life I have, with out feeling any need to maximise it and seek even greater satisfaction.

CanadianGran has put it perfectly, the 'good enough for me' life.

Hmm, I think I am living my 'good enough for me' life.

haha... my 'best' life might mean perusing higher education even at this stage in life, learning piano or another language, become an expert knitter, etc. I'm pretty happy being a bit mediocre!

We are lucky enough to have family near, and afford to visit those that are further away. We also have time and money to travel, but both are limited.

It is always nice to have something to look forward to. We have plans later in the year to visit Spain with some friends, and I may even hit the button on retirement by that time.

NanaTuesday
Sounds amazing! Have fun ☺️

My DH and I had such great plans for our future but he sadly died at age 51.
I have done so many things since then. Moved house. Had holidays the best being 3 weeks in Canada and enjoyed time with 6 GCs. I still go to the theatre something we both loved to do.
I'm sad he's missed all this so as others have said enjoy your life now. The future is uncertain.

M0nica

I do not think anybody ever lives their 'best life'. In fact I am not even sure that there is such a thing as a 'best life'

Every life will have constrictions on their life, The OP is optimally using her financial resources to enjoy life, but if she had more money wouldn't she live an even 'better' life?

Best life for me means making the most of your life within your limitations, not wallowing and feeling sorry for yourself. It is a waste of time and energy to have regrets, I can't change anything.
I foolishly used to think I had plenty time to fulfil my dreams.
However, there are positives.

•I may no longer be able to travel abroad since obtaining
travel insurance is now impossible, so instead, I have
short breaks in the UK , when I am well enough.
•I can enjoy travel abroad by watching YouTube videos.
•I may no longer be working, but that means I get to see so
much more of my family.
•I am no longer stressed on a Sunday night, worrying
about the coming week.
•I am not spending my weekends preparing coursework.
•I have time for my hobbies.
•I can go out to lunch midweek.

I had so many plans, then it unexpectedly went pearshaped one Friday morning in November 2014 at an R.A clinic. It is etched in my mind.
I wasn't prepared for my working life coming to an end so abruptly and it went downhill after that.

So I am spending my best life, because I have come to a level of acceptance and what I have now is precious.

I’m living my best life now as well.

I was married to a wife beating pig for far too many years and finally got away. Then met a mind game nitwit and again, stayed too long. Got away from him and met my lovely husband and we have been together now for 18 years.

We visited USA for a month last year plus lots of holidays. THEN I had to have a hysterectomy on 22nd January and I am recovering now. We have lots of things planned for after April.

Live your life when you can because you do not know what is around the corner. Cheers!

I do not think anybody ever lives their 'best life'. In fact I am not even sure that there is such a thing as a 'best life'

Every life will have constrictions on their life, The OP is optimally using her financial resources to enjoy life, but if she had more money wouldn't she live an even 'better' life?

GirlyGran

I am nearibg the end of cancer treatment and all signs point to very successful outcome. We plan to live life to the fullest after this.

That’s great to hear, GirlyGran. Enjoy your plans.

We're moving to the seaside soon and I can't wait. After losing friends too young and too soon and ill health affecting others, we're planning to do a monster trip to Austin, Texas and New Zealand next year to visit relatives I worry about greatly as they get older. We're also looking at Canada together and myself and my daughters are hoping to go to Iceland and Germany next year as well,though gawd knows when! I'm not done resting just yet. Adventuring has only just begun!

Oh NanaTuesday Sounds fabulous, what a wonderful year you will have. Enjoy every minute. I fear you might think my life is rather tame - mostly walking in the countryside, visiting little villages and churches and crafting . All with my little dog by my side though, so I really feel I am living my best (quiet). life. I think if you count your blessings and try to make the most of things you are living your best life

Marydoll

I planned to live my best life when I retired. However, things don't always work out that way.
We had so many plans, then chronic ill health meant I was deemed unfit to work.
It was also a huge financial blow, as I was too young to receive state pension and I had an excellent salary, which meant we were comfortably off.

Dont leave living your dreams until it's too late, live them NOW!!

Yes, I agree!
We don't know what's waiting for us round the corner.

But I don't feel quite up to whizzing around

We must be twins, Witzend.

Living your best life is doing whatever makes you happy. This can be small things like going for a walk, reading a good book or cooking a lovely meal. If you are fit and able to then yes a nice weekend break or a holiday fits the bill.

I am nearibg the end of cancer treatment and all signs point to very successful outcome. We plan to live life to the fullest after this.

Each to their own, but I no longer enjoy endlessly charging hither and thither. I do a fair bit outside the house, but my ‘best life’ nowadays needs quite a lot of lovely P&Q at home.

True, but it helps when you have spent months sorting stuff at home in what seems like never ending chaos. My first trip will be to leave the house free for the decorator so it is a major target for me to reach just a year after DH died.

I agree with finding pleasure in the small things. It isn't necessary to be off on trips and holidays.

I love my gentle but busy life.

This comes to mind for some of us.
So you go for it NanaTuesday!

Not sure about “ living my best life” but I have booked four short breaks for 2024. Two are short coach tours, two are choral courses. All in the UK. Something to look forward to and I hope to meet friendly people. Maybe I will plan something bigger for the following year.
Meanwhile I still have lots to do sorting the house and dealing with my husband’s estate.

It's amazing how you adapt to a different life. Small pleasures can still bring joy!