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Are you living your best life?

nala

nala

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Oct 23, 2011
Messages
7,422
Describe it to me.
 
My best life may not be your best life. There are so many stages and phases in life. When I really think about this question, I think ‘best life’ is sometimes identified as former times in your life - and you just didn’t realize it was possibly the best time in your life. There are always trials and tribulations at any phase of life and comparison is always the thief of joy. As we age, we lose people, lose robust health sometimes and face challenges we never dreamed of at 30 - know what I mean?
We are now both retired and are able to do most things that we want to do. Our kids are grown and doing well. We feel fairly financially grounded. However, there are times when we miss our kids growing up years, we surely miss our parents, and have more fears of what may face us in later years. Those were not issues for us at 30. All things considered though, we are happy and grateful for the things we have accomplished and the freedom we have now. I would say that today we are living our best lives for this time in our life. Looking back, there were many ‘best life’ stages though! We have always tried to count our blessings and not compare ourselves to others. What is good for one isn’t good for all, so we live our lives based on our criteria - not others.
 
I am content with my lot even though it may not necessarily be the best.

I am still relatively healthy except for reduced mobility in my knees and being diabetic controlled by diet and medications. Not bad for being 60 IMHO.

I have a roof over my head that is in my name and not rented even though I still have a mortgage to pay that I can afford.

I am still working and have gainful employment, too much at times which I really should not grumble as it means I have more disposable income, e.g. to spend on blings.

I have a car and a custom-converted RV which are fully paid for, and can afford to keep them on the road to go out and about.

I am comfortable financially and do not need to watch how I spend my pennies.

I have a cat and a dog that I love and would like to believe they love me back.

I have spare time to engage in charitable as well as recreational activities including camping in my van with my dog, and learning to play the clarinet.

I have nothing to complain about, life is good for me personally.

DK :))
 
Yes. I'm retired and have freedom. I'm entitled enough. It's up to me to decide what I'm going to do every single day. What that looks like to others is none of my concern. I am close to my husband (42 years now) and my adult children. We have no family drama.
 
Lovely @MissGotRocks has said it beautifully.

I am 51 now & there are times when I ache for my girls being toddlers, or the smell of them as newborns, or the freedom I had even before marriage when I spent some amazing years living in New Zealand.

But for right now at this time in my life, yes, I am. We have a beautiful home that we own outright, our girls are healthy & turning into amazing young adults of whom we couldn’t be prouder & we can afford the luxury of travelling to wherever we want, whenever we want.

Next year we will both take early retirement, aged 52 for me & 53 for him. We have spent our 18 years of marriage working damn bloody hard, building a business that sometimes made us feel drained & very much NOT living our best lives…!

My family, my gorgeous home & the peace I find here, plus my doofus of a dog whom I didn’t want but now would never be without, make me incredibly happy.
 
It wasn't until I retired that I achieved my best life. I have freedom and peace borne of the wisdom acquired through experience and the financial resources to sustain it.
 
Deleted, too personal. Will comment again another time, sorry!
 
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Of course not!
Not until I'm retired, when I'm free from this stupid working class grind.
And who knows if SS will be there for me in 5 years.
 
MissGotRocks said:
My best life may not be your best life. There are so many stages and phases in life. When I really think about this question, I think ‘best life’ is sometimes identified as former times in your life - and you just didn’t realize it was possibly the best time in your life. There are always trials and tribulations at any phase of life and comparison is always the thief of joy. As we age, we lose people, lose robust health sometimes and face challenges we never dreamed of at 30 - know what I mean?
We are now both retired and are able to do most things that we want to do. Our kids are grown and doing well. We feel fairly financially grounded. However, there are times when we miss our kids growing up years, we surely miss our parents, and have more fears of what may face us in later years. Those were not issues for us at 30. All things considered though, we are happy and grateful for the things we have accomplished and the freedom we have now. I would say that today we are living our best lives for this time in our life. Looking back, there were many ‘best life’ stages though! We have always tried to count our blessings and not compare ourselves to others. What is good for one isn’t good for all, so we live our lives based on our criteria - not others.
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This is very well said and I relate to a lot of it. But not all. I am recently retired after working in a "big" job. I kind of miss the activity and constant back and forth figuring things out with employees. I enjoy the fact that I'm not on anyone's schedule, and have the freedom to do what I want, when I want. But I do miss the variety of human interaction. I have enough friends, but it's not the same intellectual challenge that work provided. I guess that's what I miss. Not my boss though! I'm healthy, no prescriptions or infirmities but some of my friends are experiencing health or cognitive issues (at a fairly young age) and they were my travel partners, so that is something that I loved and am not doing these days.

On the other hand, I have a wonderful adult daughter who never fails to say "I love you" every time we are ending a phone conversation, I have a quirky little dog who I love to pieces, I volunteer for the rescue who let me adopt him, and I see many friends. My house is paid for and has been for 20 years, I'm financially very secure and I live in a very nice town. I can't complain. But I could add a few things to make my life a bit more "my best". I'm still trying to figure that out.
 
Lookinagain said:
This is very well said and I relate to a lot of it. But not all. I am recently retired after working in a "big" job. I kind of miss the activity and constant back and forth figuring things out with employees. I enjoy the fact that I'm not on anyone's schedule, and have the freedom to do what I want, when I want. But I do miss the variety of human interaction. I have enough friends, but it's not the same intellectual challenge that work provided. I guess that's what I miss. Not my boss though! I'm healthy, no prescriptions or infirmities but some of my friends are experiencing health or cognitive issues (at a fairly young age) and they were my travel partners, so that is something that I loved and am not doing these days.

On the other hand, I have a wonderful adult daughter who never fails to say "I love you" every time we are ending a phone conversation, I have a quirky little dog who I love to pieces, I volunteer for the rescue who let me adopt him, and I see many friends. My house is paid for and has been for 20 years, I'm financially very secure and I live in a very nice town. I can't complain. But I could add a few things to make my life a bit more "my best". I'm still trying to figure that out.
Click to expand...

Leaving a job for retirement is so much more than walking out of the door. I dreamed about work for a long time - always a situation I was trying to resolve but somehow telling people I wasn’t there forever! Kind of funny upon waking, but still the realization that I was clearly still processing the finality of it. After three years, the dreams are far more infrequent now. It really does take time to adjust to your new normal - much longer than I thought. I have come to treasure my freedom and am really appreciative that those problems are no longer my issue. Funny how many things fill up those former working hours. Being able to read in the afternoon or take a quick nap are sometimes luxuries that I relish now. I hope you find the same comfort level too!
 
MissGotRocks said:
Leaving a job for retirement is so much more than walking out of the door. I dreamed about work for a long time - always a situation I was trying to resolve but somehow telling people I wasn’t there forever! Kind of funny upon waking, but still the realization that I was clearly still processing the finality of it. After three years, the dreams are far more infrequent now. It really does take time to adjust to your new normal - much longer than I thought. I have come to treasure my freedom and am really appreciative that those problems are no longer my issue. Funny how many things fill up those former working hours. Being able to read in the afternoon or take a quick nap are sometimes luxuries that I relish now. I hope you find the same comfort level too!
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Thank you. I'm trying. It is hard to leave the job behind and my successor, who I had nothing to do with choosing, has made it tough for the employees. So some still call me for advice. It is difficult because the new person in my position is not going to change and is just in the wrong job. So it's not just dreaming at night, it is during some waking hours too. I care about them. We had a great team and to hear about what is going on now is heartbreaking. But I know it will dissipate and they will have to deal with it on their own. And agree, I can now say "not my problem". But I feel for them.
 
I’m content but both mine and OH’s best life would include a Berner, a dream that will never happen as we believe they need snow and mountains. Living in Australia we can’t give that to them.

IMG_1581.jpegIMG_7106.jpeg
 
No such thing.
This sounds like more made-up, "woo hoo" fluffy stuff. :roll:
 
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Beautifully said @MissGotRocks


I think there are many “best life” phases in ones life. It’s what makes life so beautiful.

In my opinion the definition of living your best life is feeling loved, happy and content. Being with the people you love.
 
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Calliecake said:
Beautifully said @MissGotRocks


I think there are many “best life” phases in ones life. It’s what makes life so beautiful.

In my opinion the definition of living your best life is feeling loved, happy and content. Being with the people you love.
Click to expand...

This really resonates with me. A defining memory for me was one evening in my 20s when both Golden babies were in their prime. I remember feeling so content and telling hubby “I would be happy like this forever but I know it will end.” Well one day it did end and eventually I lost each of the Golden babies. I gained a human baby who turned into a human teen and am very content right now but sometimes I go back to that moment in my 20s with my Golden babies.

We had a very old and shabby house back then. Money was tight. But I was so happy with the babies.

IMG_1900.jpegIMG_1895.jpegIMG_1940.jpeg
 
No, not living my best life. If I were, I would be traveling more! So much to see out there!
 
Lookinagain said:
Thank you. I'm trying. It is hard to leave the job behind and my successor, who I had nothing to do with choosing, has made it tough for the employees. So some still call me for advice. It is difficult because the new person in my position is not going to change and is just in the wrong job. So it's not just dreaming at night, it is during some waking hours too. I care about them. We had a great team and to hear about what is going on now is heartbreaking. But I know it will dissipate and they will have to deal with it on their own. And agree, I can now say "not my problem". But I feel for them.
Click to expand...

I understand this as well. My job was filled three times before finding someone that wanted to stick it out! Too much work for one person two others said. No support others said. Validating to me but frustrating for the process of getting on with it. The third seems to have worked out so the news from the front has lessened considerably. Nothing worse than feeling bad about something you absolutely cannot control. I guess it is part of the process as well. Always looked forward to retirement but never fully appreciated how difficult the process can be!
 
I'm living a good life. Surely not my best, but the roadblocks are self-created.
I want some change, but need to find the energy to "do the things". As far as comfort and stress, I am definately in the best place.
 
Thank you all for sharing. I posed this question as a reality check. Not bc I need to compare my life, but because I could use some insight.
I have been realizing that whenever I am living a beautiful moment or experience, I don’t always have the wisdom to appreciate it. I really do resent that about myself! Why can’t I just appreciate the moment? @MissGotRocks stated my issue so well. I have had countless of these best life moments and have taken them for granted until circumstances have changed. Sigh.

Ok. So. Am I living my best life? Yes. Absolutely. As long as all my loved ones are healthy, the answer is yes! I am privileged enough to create great memories with my loved ones. I am privileged enough to be worry- free when it comes to finances. Privileged enough to enjoy my profession. Privileged enough to say that at 51, I feel there is so much to look forward to.

I won’t lie. I didn’t want to make this thread about politics but I hope that we can all still continue to live our best lives.
 
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nala said:
Thank you all for sharing. I posed this question as a reality check. Not bc I need to compare my life, but because I could use some insight.
I have been realizing that whenever I am living a beautiful moment or experience, I don’t always have the wisdom to appreciate it. I really do resent that about myself! Why can’t I just appreciate the moment? @MissGotRocks stated my issue so well. I have had countless of these best life moments and have taken them for granted until circumstances have changed. Sigh.

Ok. So. Am I living my best life? Yes. Absolutely. As long as all my loved ones are healthy, the answer is yes! I am privileged enough to create great memories with my loved ones. I am privileged enough to be worry- free when it comes to finances. Privileged enough to enjoy my profession. Privileged enough to say that at 51, I feel there is so much to look forward to.

I won’t lie. I didn’t want to make this thread about politics but I hope that we can all still continue to live our best lives.
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@nala, with age comes wisdom. When we are young and just starting adult lives, so many of the high points get missed or overlooked because we assume there will be many more. As we get older, we take more time to reflect on life experiences. It is at that point you begin to realize the breadth and depth of your life. It doesn’t happen overnight but there is a gradual, slow awakening that tells you to appreciate all the goodness that you have had, and to pay more attention and homage to the ones ahead.
Don’t feel frustrated as I think it happens to all of us with time. Just be thankful that you have lived long enough to realize all of it - some folks never get to live that long. Hugs to you!!
 
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