I consider myself to be a happy woman. However, I do feel that life was most blissful when I was a newlywed and then a young married woman with small children at home. Yes, children are a big responsibility, but because I chose to stay home with them, they were in every way - my life. Nothing was more exciting than watching them take their first steps, and seeing all of the other "firsts" they experienced. Money was tight, but it was our choice for me to be "June Cleaver", as I always joked.

I'm a grandmother now, and loving it again, but of course it's different this time. The boys aren't with me all the time, and I am working full time. But it's a blessing to have small children in my life again.

This is a very good question and very, very hard to answer. My life years have gone in roller coasters for personal happiness. Not having children to take care of and a lot of family ties any more I finally feel free of a lot of responsibility...I'm 45.

Sometimes I'd like to go back to about the age of 11-12, just before my teens, to enjoy all of my family again and then I look forward to being here, now because I'm enjoying some freedom I've not had before.

Money concerns are there of course and I understand that worry. If I was not healthy enough to work, then I'd be concerned...but what truly measures happiness? These days for me it's the small things, the finer moments and realizing if I don't cherish them the instant passes and it's gone. So I think I'm happier now with my husband and opportunities that lie ahead.

Okay, now I'm tired thinking about this one!

I'm assuming it's the changes that take place in our lives that affect our level of happiness. I gave birth to my three children in my thirties, and loved that whole decade. For me, that was the best! My life is quite different now, and requires effort on my part to stay positive.

I read recently that our seventies are supposed to be particularly happy. I have a hard time buying that, although maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised.

I'm very happy right now...in my 60's.
Throughout life there are ups and downs...but I can't say that any one decade has been happier(or unhappier) on the whole than any of the others.

Life's a roller coaster....I believe in enjoying the thrills of the ups, and just getting through the downs - because I know the track will go up again.

I think I've always been happy except for a time in my marriage that I wasn't happy and could see no future. Thank goodness I made the move and now Happiness is back. I don't know that I "need" anything to be happy. I am happy with my children, but I would still have been happy if I didn't have children. Same with money. I would be very happy if I had lots of it, but I'm still happy having to watch my pennies.

When I was very young I was happier because I didn't have the worries I do now. And when I was first married it was happier, not as many responsibilities or burdens. We were blissful young lovers. I guess I was very naive and innocent. I didn't really understand the world and how cruel it can be sometimes. I am less happy now then I was then because I know more.
Clare

Clare, good points again. You made me think some more. I think I'm learning to be happier now because I am learning more and continue to learn. I guess it's how we look at things.

I was happier when I was young. I miss working and the people I was fortunate enough to work with (well, for the most part). I miss every stage of my DD's life and I'd give anything to have just one day when she was a toddler again.

I guess I wish I was young and knew what I know now. I'd sure have taken more time to enjoy instead of just waiting for the next rung of the ladder.

Growing up was a happy time for me because I had a large family, and it was that time when "we were poor but didn't know it."

I could have written what Donna said, except now I also have great grands to add to the mix.

Susan's comment about the seventies is right for me. Kids grown, grandbabies coming along, our circle of friends was large and very compatible. I wish that for you too, Susan.

Now, mid-eighties, widowed for 25 years, a lot of those friends have passed on; I am not "unhappy" but I have so many of the frailties that go with age, it does make for worrisome times when I know I can't do those things I used to do that I enjoyed so much.

Making the move to the Senior Independent Retirement Community has been a plus for me, but you can't make new, old friends.

Serenity, courage, wisdom: sometimes it just ain't easy!

Sue

I'm 55. I've had good and bad times. I thought about this a lot. I've been "happy" in fits and spurts. Usually with a big event like a job promotion, or a new baby,etc. But now I'm content with life. Things could be better, but I realize I can deal with just about anything. I'm almost never sad anymore. If something is bothering me, I'll either do something about it or ignore it. Things work out. I am content, and it bears being happy all the time.

I don't know if I was happier but when I was younger, but I was more hopeful for the future. I could dream big and there seemed to be plenty of time to make those dreams come true and the possibilities were limitless.

Now I'm older and more realistic about what to expect in life. I have limits now that I have a husband and house and two children. I'd say I'm happier in the moment but more scared when I think ahead, if that makes any sense. Though I'm not sure how much of that is due to age and my own circumstances and how much is due to the general state of the economy and the world.

I am happy now. In my 30s and 40s I was able to do a lot more things like long bike rides, volleyball, water skiing, etc. I guess that now I am more content even though I have more aches and pains.
The worst part of my life was when I was in an unhappy marriage at the same time I was the parent of a "difficult" teen.

i'd say i'm more resigned, than happy...(62) serious health scare in 06...dh's job insecurity 2x set me off...changes we made 20 years ago so you often play that what if game...

i love my dh, children, and grands, but have a tendency to worry..alot! lol...

I don't know if I'm happier but I find myself enjoying life more today than when I was younger.

Likes others have said there are many stages that bring different kinds of happiness to ones life. I loved motherhood and raising my kids but it was hard work. Now I enjoy being with them as adults.

I find aging to be a comfortable time of life for me. I don't have as many responsibilities as I had and I have a lot more "me" time. Yes there are worries and more physical things to deal with but I am fortunate thus far to have pretty good health.

I think each stage of life must come w/ its' advantages and disadvantages. I loved the period when all 3 of my children were home, but I worried more than I do now. I used to think money would solve lots of problems, and now that money isn't a problem, I know it's highly over rated. Being foot loose and fancy free and able to go at the drop of a hat is really nice. I remember trying to find a sitter for some occasion. No more of that!

So, I think it's different levels of contentment and security and peace of mind. It would have been nice to have the resources I have now way back when the kids were little. I'd love to have had the wisdom that comes w/ aging and experiences. I guess that's what makes those grandchildren such a treat.

So, I didn't answer this question at all!

Patti, I know just what you mean about waiting for the next rung of the ladder. It's not really so much that I want to be young again as it is that I want to redo some parts of life and appreciate them more.

Having said that, I do have to admit that overall I'm happier and less anxious now than I used to be. Come to think of it, though, it's probably the Zoloft.

That's interesting - I just read an article while sitting in the doctor's office today that the phrase "grouchy old men" is true. This article said that as men age they tend to become more disatisfied with everyday life and have a harder time shrugging off disappointments. So they complain more and tend to be more pessimistic.

The article didn't dwell too much on women other than to say that women at any age tend to be more flexible and if they were optimistic when young tended to keep the same attitude as they aged.

Just goes to show you - nothing is predictible.

I have to say I am mostly "content," as opposed to "happy." I know that many of my dreams will not be realized, I know I will never have the perfect husband, I will never have the perfect house, I will never have the perfect life. So I try to make the most of what I have.

When I was younger, I pretty much let life happen to me..so I guess I'm happier now. I think. This is a pretty deep subject, if one thinks about it.

Can't say. I had always been a happy, healthy, optimistic person, married to a happy, healthy, optimistic man. We worked hard, saved what we could, put our six happy, well-adjusted kids through college, loved each other, enjoyed life as we went through it while looking forward to the future.

Three years ago, on the brink of retirement in our early 60s, we were each diagnosed with cancer within seven weeks of each other, and we were both expected to have died by now. Neither of us has died. While we were convalescing, hub's company abruptly changed the retirement plan, leaving us broke. I have watched my sunny husband become sad and worried almost beyond his ability to cope. I am helpless to change anything about our situation and it is breaking my heart to watch his heart break over what we hoped would be.

Hub has had one life-threatening illness after another these last three years, but no return of cancer. No matter how optimistic or happy or healthy and careful you have been your entire life, sometimes life throws bombs at your head and it's hard to keep your chin up.

Health and money. If you've got those......

Sherry

I was happiest when my children were young and I was so involved in their lives. I've settled into contentment now and make the best of it. The grands are a joy and the house is filled with happiness again when they're here, and I really treasure those times.

(((((((((Sherry))))))))

I make far less many mistakes at my age now then I did when I was younger. (((thank the lord))), but have to say I am much less likely to go out on a limb because of caution. I am not near as much fun to be around, and am more of a homebody. but that suites me just fine.
At some point I have figured that it really is not all about me anymore, but the younger ones who grow up behind me.
I don't worry about the same things as I did when I was younger, but I ache more and find that losing friends and family as they pass on puts a different slant on things.

I never used to even think about what tomorrow will bring, and now it makes me a bit scared.

I am less likely to look at myself in a mirror primping and thinking what I can do to make myself prettier, but more likely to think I look just fine for today.

Trin