Research on happiest years of life

I am 66 and I don’t think I have ever been so depressed as I am now. I seem unable to cope with all the problems that are besetting me at this time.

15 - I was discovering boys & loving the music, had part-time jobs & knew what I wanted to do when I left School, only downside was looming O Levels.

30s & 40s were good, went back to College after 2nd H walked out on me & 5 year old DD. Met 3rd DH, moved, got new job

50s were blighted by DH's ill health & death, I was Widowed at 57.

60s were a huge improvement, moved a few months before my 60th to be closer to DD & DGS. Love my new home, new area, new friends & best of all 2nd DGS who's nearly 2. I'm very content with my life but then I'm a "glass half full" person

Not sure what 70s will bring as I'm 64 in a few months, no work worries as I took Early Retirement at 50 but reliant on Benefits as I cannot work due to Health issues.

I was a very happy child but definitely not when I got to 15 and had to face exams and realise that I wasn't as gorgeous as some of my friends.
Nor at 70 - creaking joints dampened my enthusiasm for doing many of the things I want to do.

On the whole I think contentment is better than ecstatic happiness.

In addition to my happy childhood and thirties, I did have a blissful couple of years as a postgraduate student in London when I was in my early twenties (1960s). Lived on scholarship money, which was not much but I had very nice subsidised self-catering accommodation, and made good friends from all over Europe. It was a research degree, not taught, so organising my time was my responsibity. I felt very free. Any spare money went on the cheapest theatre tickets. I saw so much, and so many famous performers.

My first job was a horrible shock after that.

I am finding my late 60s (68 next month) brilliant. I bought a narrow boat to live on, I have a peaceful idyllic mooring and have swans visit most days, I still work and have just started the couch to 5k challenge. One should not think of later life as a downward slope...think of it as the start of new challenges and smile x

15!!! Are they kidding.
I was totally miserable at school & just waiting to get out!
Not got to 70 yet but not that long now-I can't say I'm looking forward to it.

we're were

I had the greatest childhood and my teens and 20s were fun as we're all the years when children were growing up.
Actually, ALL my life has been enjoyable. Not necessarily totally free from bits of worry here and there but definitely nothing to spoil the enjoyment of living.
I've always been a positive person and that hasn't dimmed over the years.
I love life, whether doing nothing at all or whether the year is crammed with adventures.

Hoping this my 70th year will be a year of change. Drained from coping with a narcissist adult daughter which has affected my health this year and 80-90 hours of childcare per month for her toddler daughter have just come to an abrupt end, sadly, as I loved every minute and had a special bond with her. She has moved 30 miles away in a rush and not left an address. Struggling with anxiety now but it will pass and aiming for brighter days ahead.

The happiest years of my life began when I met Mr. S. at the age of 16. No where near 70 yet and despite some troublesome times, including being estranged from our youngest son and only GC, I've no doubt that our happiness will continue.

I am 67 and I have noticed myself becoming happier than I am used to being. I do have a good husband, and a couple of lovely grandkids who I see just often enough. But one of the biggest differences is I no longer care as much how jobs are done to the house. I mean like building and decorating. I have this thought "Oh I probably don't have to live with this longer than 10 years" and things simply don't matter as much any more. I feel much more relaxed and content.

Who on earth did they (and who are 'they') survey on this? Didn't ask me. With all the publicity about teenage mental health issues how can 15 be the best year. And at 70 a lot will be grateful to be still here, not be ill and lonely. Basically rubbish.

From the age of thirty to sixty(the latter when I slowed down a 'bit and only a bit' were the best of my life.
Baby stages dealt with gave self and DH a time to be ourselves.
No regrets and would do it all again





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Life is what you make it at any age

My husband died 9years ago and your right it's hard I'm 72 and I feel you lost and lonely even though I have my daughter and her family living with me it not the same as you r husband xx

I've only had one major disaster in my whole life which still lives with me on a daily basis but that seems like pretty good odds to me when compared with others. My 70s have been wonderful since GC arrived in my life and I retired completely from working. I am so fortunate to be experiencing good health at the moment. Guess I've kinda 'sailed through' but I am constantly aware of this and so so grateful.

Don't believe all you read. I might have been a survey of 5 people.

I liked my twenties best, when I had my two children. I felt fulfilled and happy. I also liked my fifties because we spent ten years enjoying ourselves. Lots of traveling and 8 cruises. I'm fine in my sixties too because I have lovely grandchildren.

I enjoyed my 70's. Luckily I was in good health and able to get around and travel easily. Once I hit 80, things went downhill a little, but I am still able to get around,even if it is more difficult. I think my happiest times were looking after my children and grandchildren while they were very young.

I loved my twenties and thirties when my children were young and needed me.

Most of my life has been happy but I am really loving my sixties and retirement. We worked very hard bringing up our children and running our own business and it is sheer delight now to have time to do anything I feel like doing. We are very lucky in that we are both healthy we realise. I have read so many books recently, have time to exercise and travel. Absolutely loving the sixties!!

The year when I was 15 I do count as one of my happiest years, among others. I haven't reached 70 yet, so will reserve judgement on that one!

20's and 50's/60's for me.

Mid-twenties for me, just before I met my husband of (now) 39 years; no worries, just having a whale of a time going dancing and to concerts - a real flirty girl. Don't know what happened to her
But nobody could sustain that and what I have now, with lovely kids and grandkids, is obviously the best...

I'm 70 now and thoroughly enjoying being alone and free to do as I please. However, I enjoyed being a mother and the best and most rewarding years were when I was raising my children.