Are you having the life you envisaged?

No, but it's still good. Like most people over 70, health issues are the biggest problem, but we own our own home, and have sufficient money for our everyday needs (would appreciate more, of course!).
In common with most people, have suffered losses and difficulties over the years.
Having moved recently, we now live in a bungalow with a sea view (something I always aspired to). We are a long way from family (by at least 700 miles) but, once Covid is finally over, will have an opportunity to make friends. No living children, but we are fine!

No

No for me too.
Had 3 children, me and Dh are only children. So thought we’d end up with lots of grandchildren. Not so, we have one gs. I think that’s how it will stay.
Oldest son is estranged, I didn’t see that coming.
Dh has dementia, which is so horrible, so everything is down to me to sort out.
We still have 2 of our children living with us plus our gs.
I’m retiring at the end of the year, because I constantly feel worn out with it all.
On the plus side, I have really good friends.
If I could wave a magic wand, I’d make the dementia disappear. It feels so unfair, it’s stolen our life in retirement.

GrannyOrNanny No, not at all, and I'm sorry your life isn't as you would have hoped.

I never had any plans or expectations, working on the assumptions that if you expect nothing you’ll never be disappointed! I was delighted to be married and move into our own house, had two lovely daughters, a comfortable life style and apart from losing my darling mum, and life’s usual ups and downs, I’m happy. We’re a very close family, now with four lovely grandchildren, and we see a lot of each other. Usual health issues that comes with old age, but I’m so very grateful for my life, although I’m also aware things can change in the blink of an eye.

I’m sad that the majority of the posts are negative, it makes me feel very fortunate.

Nope.

I was doing fine until a blood test I December 2019 showed my kidneys were on the verge of packing up. Spent last year feeling as though I was 9n my last legs. This year has been better.

great question, my life is great,all fantastic,raised by parents traumatised by ww2 ,back injury at 21,married a narcissist, struggled to raise 2 sons, one moved overseas, the other i never hear off,lots of my friends died, seem to get a new health condition every year etc . i think if we knew what was in store,we would not bother. As scott peck quoted 'life is difficult'
most of the philosophers state the same. some days life is good but on the great scheme of things it sucks! the reason we have chocolate, religion.self help gurus, stuff and more stuff.........

No not what imagined when I was young, as thought I’d get married and live happily ever after. As it was I got married young and divorced in my 40’s, and never been able to find a decent man. Still I am living a happy single life, have wonderful children, grandkids, and a few very good friends. I retired early due to pressure from a now ex partner so that we could travel then COVID struck and the relationship went downhill due to partner not coping with lockdowns. I am grateful for my freedom again and probably now appreciate life far more.

If I had had better beginnings or changed one moment of my life I would not be living the life I have now. True I may have had a better life mentality but I may not have had my 3DDs nor 5DGC. Life is a lot more than good considering the rest of the world.

I have a lovely 2nd DH and regret the wasted years with ex .Bit did get DD and consequently DGD x2 so all good.My parents didn't allow me to ditch my civil service job and go to Australia with my then DF often wonder what might have been.

Above my expectations. Retired, financially secure, in a loving relationship - what's not to like?

No

It’s a lot better than anyone envisaged. I had polio’ when I was a toddler. My parents were given a very bleak picture of my future: no job, no children, a wheel chair in my teens , and so on. Thanks to my parents I made a good future with a long teaching career, two children and , to some extent, independence in my old age. I have a lot to be thankful for.

I actually never envisaged my life. I have always taken it as it comes. I take care of my health. ..mainly plant based diet. I do a 30 minute fast walkasize with core exercises every day to keep fit. Also use resistance bands to work on muscles. If you do nothing else you must look after your health. I live on a narrow boat...never thought I would be doing that at 70. I stay positive with the help of a book called Power Hour by Adrienne Herbert. I have it on audio books. It keeps me focused. I believe I am following the path I was meant to. Life is about learning and helping others learn. Peace x

I didn't really think about or plan it. Not a bad life really though. 2 sons, 2 grandchildren, nice home, car, dog, reasonably healthy, comfortably retired. There are a lot of things I haven't done though - not travelled apart from holidays in Europe. Still, where there's life there's hope.

No far from it ?☹️

No as I married someone I had doubts about just before getting wed. Stayed far too long but am now, after 40+ years, soon to be divorced and living on my own with only me to consider after caring for a family as well as working for all those years. Thought I'd live a life full of love like my childhood but wasn't to be. Wish I'd left a lot earlier but too late for regrets.

I would be very content if it wasn’t for health problems over the last couple of years. It has brought home to me how fragile life is and how easy it is to go from being very healthy to virtually disabled. With treatment, I am hoping to get back to some fitness. It hasn’t made me appreciate small things more and I am very much trying to live in the present. My children have faced serious mental health struggles but are fairly settled now which is reassuring. Although one of their marriages is shaky and they have a young family. I am just trying to tell myself that it is their life, not mine so I mustn’t become over anxious. But easier said than done! My second marriage has been lovely and we had started travelling a bit after all the years of working but lockdown and health put paid to that! So the picture is mixed but overall I think I am still grateful for lots of it.

Last post should say “it has made me appreciate small things more” !

Life hasn't been bad, until the last five years - traumatic house move, DH had PD, accompanied latterly by dementia and psychotic episodes and AC with learning difficulties still at home. DH died a few months ago, and although sad, I'm aware that it was the best outcome for him. I bear in mind that one in every couple will be the one to be left, and that life has to go on. I've probably never had very high expectations, but had a reasonably enjoyable career, two lovely DD's, and DGC and own a nice house that I should be able to afford to live in for the foreseeable future. Sadness, but a lot to be thankful for.

No not at all - wanted a far more adventurous life but health issues plus constantly putting other people's needs first sabotaged all that. (Oh yes, I know, I wasn't selfish - gosh that's not allowed is it ?? - but I was too hard on myself; I needed looking after too). I thought "one day it will be my turn" but by the time it could have been, it was too late (health not good). I try to look at the positives and not dwell. A friend who is a Buddhist tells me that I can do the Adventures in my next life - hope she's right.

No, met H when I was 16 and he was 23, mother told me I was too young and I should have listened because I never got to start my own business and live a happy life. He never worked since we got married 47 years ago, then I became his carer in 1993. He's now got dementia and I'm still caring, my life has passed me by.

NO......hate being on my own but don't want another relationship !! so I just get on with it, as I have always done ...biggest regret is not being able to travel on all my planned escapes in 2020 and this year.....was the first time I would have been able to do so ......now feel I am getting too old to wait until possibly 2023 by the time we are allowed out ....hate it ! No friends, as moved back to the UK from living abroad for 21 years ....one daughter who hasn't spoken to me for 14 years .....all the voluntary work and joining things has also gone over the past awful year (like most people !) ......only real fear is dying alone and not being found for weeks/months ....!..

The only thing I would change is going live near the sea eg SW coast, when we first qualified - but very soon new jobs/promotions, having children etc stopped us. Very happy with grown children/GC close by in a nice village so not likely now - a small regret

No. I never really thought of the future in terms of anything more than a few years ahead.
I thought I’d be in a wheelchair because of problems in early life, but surgery solved those problems.
Computers hadn’t been invented so I couldn’t have envisaged teaching computing.
I suppose I’d have expected to marry and have a family, and that happened.
I certainly never envisaged anything like COVID.
I’m grateful for what I have now, but who knows about tomorrow?