Are you ENDURING OR ENJOYING

Not enjoying life too much at the moment. I had a knee replacement in October and it’s still so painful, making me feel so down. Didn’t realise it would be so sore for so long. Looking forward to it getting better.

Enjoying. I'm happy and content.

FGT

Despite loving caring parents my childhood was difficult because of health and other problems.

After thhat thing scould only get better. I still remember clearly the day I got the letter from my first choice university saying my place was confirmed and the letter from the county council confirming my maintenance grant. Not a full one , my father earned too much.

I took these letters to the bank for them to make decisions about over draft limits etc (I think it was £20). Walking home from the bank I was suddenly suffused with happiness. My life was finally my own for ill or good. I would make my own decisions and have to live with them.

Since then I have enjoyed life. It has had its periods of endurance, but nothing I could not survivewith.

Well life is naturally a mixture. I’m not a fan of Christmas and new year stuff, so enduring to a degree. But in a few weeks, I’ll probably be enjoying again!

Hi I live in Baildon West Yorkshire I think you sound really positive so if you organise a meet up please can I be included?
Happy 2026
Sue

I feel very fortunate that I do enjoy my life and have endured many ups and downs which you don’t need to be bored with
I was going for a walk as other half is at the allotment burning wood! But! I am taking advice on here and going to sit , read, knit and stroke my manic cat!
Life throws us many curve balls but we have resilience to dig into! Few of us are unscathed by life’s events ! Nevertheless my glass is half full so I wish you all a positive 2026 with the courage to get out there and grab at life!

I'm on a bit of a downer at the moment, 1st Christmas without mum, she passed away in October, found out yesterday son and daughter in law booked last minute holiday abroad including 9 of her family, it would have been nice to be asked, so doing our own thing and booked a cottage in Devon for me and hubby, no point sitting at home feeling miserable, life's too short

oh my! so much here, I can`t bear to comment..ok. I have little to complain of, well I am old, 89, healthy for my age, high bp, heart issues,,kidney stuff. but I can get out, Ihave two ladies who I can get out with, family there for me, but not overly.. home, cat,, but I think it is mental thing with me,, I am trying.. have so much to be "grateful" for,, that is the thing at the moment,, think gratitude.. I do worry for the world, at times I can worry for the universe.

Kate and FGT - how sad.

Definitely enduring at the moment. Health is seriously rubbish just now - in constant pain, out of breath, heart problems - can't do all the things I want and need to.
Miserable and frustrating - but what is to do but just bash on?

JamesandJon33

Sago and Kate1949 it makes me really sad to read your posts and I feel I should not have posted mine in light of your experiences. But there is always hope. Sounds perhaps a little trite but true nonetheless the less. I hope you both have a really wonderful 2026.

Not at all trite, I want to see and hear joy.

The thread is asking if we are enduring or enjoying, I was enduring but am now enjoying.

I hope this gives someone hope.

Not at all JamesandJon We all have different life experiences. All are valid.

Sago and Kate1949 it makes me really sad to read your posts and I feel I should not have posted mine in light of your experiences. But there is always hope. Sounds perhaps a little trite but true nonetheless the less. I hope you both have a really wonderful 2026.

myself. I had all my teeth taken out ages 11 and was bullied relentlessly because of it. My head used to be alive with nits. I was taken out of class aged 7, put in a van without a word and taken to a clinic to be deloused. My mother died when my youngest sister was 14. My brother took his own life, my nephew died of leukemia at 16. My husband was diagnosed with cancer and then blue lighted to AE last year with a virus. I have lost all my hair. What's to enjoy?

I took am deeply scarred by an abusive, neglectful childhood. I watched my mother being beaten on a regular basis and was badly beaten on one occasion myse

I am enjoying life now, I had a major blip 2+ years ago and really wanted to die, thankfully I am now over that and can enjoy my life again.

I am deeply scarred due to an abusive upbringing so when things go wrong for me it hits me hard.

We have great supportive community on Gransnet, I am always so grateful for all the prayers offered for Hannah who by the way is making wonderful progress.

I hope the posters who are struggling can find some joy in 2026.

Wishing you all a peaceful, healthy and happy 2026.

I am definitely enjoying. During lockdown I started writing and this now fills my days. It has take off beyond my most wildest dreams….to be truthful I didn’t have any …it just kept me sane during lock down. Now I am meeting new people, giving talks etc. Who would have thought it…? not me

Sympathies to you FGT.

2026 is not going to be good for DH and I am hoping hoping my blood cancer remission will last through 2026. I can't deal with both. Well will have to if that is what happens.
Chin up everyone.

I'm delighted to hear that kitty You always seem so positive.

I think the film ‘fancythat’ was referring to at 8.30.04 is ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’. It is a marmite film. Some will find it uplifting, some will find it’s a bit schmaltzy. Each to his own. I thought it was ok for a Christmas film, and certainly better than some.

Kate
FGT2

I agree with hollysteers. There are days when enjoyment is uppermost and other days when enduring is the main component.

At the moment 'enjoying' is winning.

FGT💐

2025 has been pretty shit if I’m honest. I’m anxious about next year, terribly so. I seem to cry a lot these days but also recognise that in time things will get worse. I do try to count the many blessings we have been given but when one is in the eye of the storm anguish isn’t far away.

I miss my DH, who died 9 years ago, terribly. There isn't a day that goes by when don't long to tell him something or have a laugh with him. We shared the same sense of humour and a very similar outlook on life. I don't miss company, I miss his company. But I still find joy in living, if only to see the trees through my kitchen window or listening to bird song. I'm not conventionally religious, but the world is truly miraculous.