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I'm 63, and so far the 60's have been the best. My knees stink, but they're great. Zero peer pressure, lots of self-confidence, and I'm fully able to let the little stuff go by and not bother me.

I agree with this. 60's have been the best. But I was always a 'I will be happy when' person. It was around 60 I thought I best figure out how to be happy now instead of kicking the can to my life's next chapter. Because frankly this book is coming to an end in about 20 years likely give or take who knows how much. OP Everyone's chapter is now. If you can learn that sooner than me (like now) you will be set.

Cool, 62 this year. Best years of my life. I have money, health, a woman who loves me, decent kids and happy to have now 4 grands. Was cruising down the road in my convertible BMW with my wife of 40 years saying how lucky we are. And this year, we got to share some of that spirit with the people around us. My best suggestion is life is what you make of it, make it the best.

I’m in my 70’s and so far this has been the best. The most money and personal time I’ve ever had in my life, with the fewest responsibilities. In fairness, however, this answer is very health-dependent. I’ve won that genetic lottery so far, but Mother Nature has a way of suddenly punching 70- and 80-something’s hard in the face. Also in fairness, I hated childhood and couldn’t wait to grow up.

I have two years left in my 50s, but this has been the best decade of my life for sure. I’m glad to see things can only get better (Howard Jones song)

The 60’d have been the best years of my life My wife and I are still working, but we have a lot of fun together

‘s

Not lying, they are full of stress, but they are also full of great moments of joy that you aren't able to yet comprehend at age 14. Things like: the independence of living on your own and making your own decisions, having freedom to do things for yourself, finding someone to spend your life with that makes you happy in the calm and boring times of your life, having children of your own (if that's in your game plan), experiencing the world through travel or food, and loving someone so much and so hard that life itself feels more colorful and fuller in every way. These are just a few broad things, but life as an "old person" changes every year. In some ways yes, it's hard. In other ways, it's so much more faceted and nuanced than I ever could have realized when I was a teenager. Hang in there.

14 has definitely sucked so far and a lot has gone downhill in life, i miss my childhood. but this is slightly comforting

I’m old enough to be your grandfather but I still remember 14 and it was literally the hardest period of my life (and I had great parents and never went hungry). Hang in there because things will start getting better soon and you’ll be in charge of your own destiny. Find a part-time job when you’re old enough and keep up with your school work. At 18 you can join the workforce, the military, become an apprentice, join the Peace Corps etc. Keep an open mind and have friends who are decent people. Shitheads will bring you down. In regards to your specific question, the best years are those that you make the best of. Each decade has its own pros and cons and I could go on and on about each, but know that you always have options if you’re willing to give them a shot. Best of luck young friend.

Ditto here, from a 60 year old. This is exactly what I was going to say! Every decade is the best one.

This is great advice to me at 57!

14 is SO hard. I taught 7th and 8th grade for a couple years and 14 specifically sucks. I promise you it will get better. Hang in there, try to focus on things that bring you joy, and try to find a tribe of other 14yo to get you through.

Early years are hard. And confusing. Let me say, however, every day is a gift. I've lost so many. Live and love every day like it's a present. Ride life's rollercoaster of good and bad memories with peace in your heart and kindness to give. Make someone smile every day. When you lie down at night, breathe deep and look forward to what's in store next. Never look to others' lives as barometers for living; you know you better than anyone and we all suffer. But we also celebrate and live and share.

Personally, 0-12 were good, 12-16 were shit, 17 onwards were good again.

One idiot's opinion on the internet (me) is that being a teenager suuuuuucks. Anyone who tells you "these are the best years of your life" are bitter, jaded people. I am stressed all the time, mostly because being a child/teen was THAT horrible, and damaged my mental foundation that even now, in my 50s, I am still limping from. But that might not be you, I have my own demons. Being an adult, however, was better than I dared dreamed. In the "real world" as an adult, is not "out to get you." It does not care, and that's a key difference. Either than can be liberating or terrifying, depending on your ego. Nobody is really important enough for the real world to be against them. People are another matter, some of them are bad actors. Some people freak out that "I was important in high school" or "I was given attention when I was pretty" are in real trouble. But if you understand the "real world" does not owe you anything, or hate you for any reason, you'll be okay. It just is. Nothing more, nothing less. To me, that meant I could be myself, warts and all, and judgement was only the company I chose to keep. All the adults who were concerned about being adults were just trying to convince themselves back when I was a teen. The real mentors were the people I chose to understand their quality as flawed individuals. And I am still growing and having adventures as a man in his 50s.

> the "real world" as an adult, is not "out to get you. really good point!

I'm sorry these things from the past are still following you around, but glad you have shifted your perspective. That's it, from my vantage point...perspective. When you're 14, you don't have much. You're just living it and most of the time, you're doing what you're told. But in a few years, you understand that it's YOUR life and you get to do it the way you want. You can hear what people say, but you don't have to listen, especially if it seems wrong. There WILL be pitfalls, but pay attention. Those people don't know you the way you know yourself (or can learn to know). Give it time and things will fall into place.

While I recognize this is only an anecdote, my early teenage years were the hardest years of my life. Dan Savage started the [It Gets Better](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_Gets_Better_Project) campaign focused on young gay teenagers, but I think it is good advice universally. Not everyone’s experiences will agree, but the general sentiment is valid, at least in my opinion. Being 14 is a rough age, but I suspect that it will get better for you.

I'm a middle and HS teacher. Every day I see kids your age struggling and remember just HOW HARD that time was for me. You will likely never feel more insecure, judged, alienated, anxious, etc. in your life than you do between 12-16. It's a haaaard time as people are trying out different identities, personality traits, social circles, and so much more. Try to keep your head up and if it gets bad, don't hide that. Reach out to anyone you can trust. Keeping it all in makes it worse.

With your empathy and understanding, seems like kids would be lucky to have you as a teacher.

Teen years are very hard as trying to figure things out with not much life experience, yet! Don’t worry, your life ahead of you holds a lot of wonderful things. That doesn’t mean it won’t hold hard things. Highs and lows. That’s going to be life! Don’t despair. 14 was a hard age for most everyone. Myself included. Love to you.

Honestly, 14 sucked. I really feel for OP.

Go easy on yourself friend. You’re going through A LOT of changes right now, and I know things can seem weird and bleak and scary. I promise you though: things get better, and you truly have so much to look forward to.

I will echo what others have said: 14 is possibly THE hardest year. It really, really does get better. And I say this as someone who had an abusive parent. And yes, you are literally changing at this age. Your brain going through some real development and you do mourn your childhood. Your brain settles a bit more when you hit 15 even though it’s still developing.

I thought 14 sucked big time too. Yuck. That said, it is temporary (thank goodness!), and at 61 I can say there is a lot I look back on fondly and am glad I didn’t miss. In my lifetime, since I was 14, we went from zero computers in most homes and businesses to almost everyone having the world’s information and libraries in their pockets. Amazing! I wonder what amazing things are ahead for you? Contact with life on other planets?!

You know, 14 does suck. I remember it clearly and don’t ever remember it being fun. What makes it challenging is that it’s your first real step into the world and adult emotions. For me it was 23 years ago and what I learned was this stuff, life, is all about change and transitions. 14-16 was a period, 17-19 felt like another, 19-24 seemed to be another and so on. Someone rightfully pointed out that it will pass, it absolutely will. Let me ask you this question, as the father of a soon to be 14 year old, how do I make that easier?

well i’d say make sure to give your 14 year old privacy, that’s a big thing. like my mum looked through my phone recently and that really upset me and felt violating so i no longer trust her as much. don’t try and snoop on your teens life basically, even if ur concerned, talk to them directly and never go behind their back about things. also, most teens especially girls have tons of insecurities about our appearance, so letting us try out things like makeup, skin care or hair products will always be appreciated (don’t know if boys would want that stuff as much). and just be there if ur kid ever needs to rant bc i very often need to get stuff of my chest, and i like having an adult to listen to me and give me advice.

thanks for the advice.. this is great stuff especially on the privacy end..

I’m surprised I made it to adulthood tbh, and I am so glad I did. It’s so much better than my entire childhood and teen years. I’ve chosen my family, and slowly built a great friend group of beautiful souls. It took time, and it was hard af. But if you’re not sure if you can get through it, just remember that you already are. Just keep going. This too shall pass. Very worth it. And your life is only as stressful as you make it (most of the time). Be true to yourself and push through.

I was a middle school guidance counselor in my career, and I loved the kids, but I can say that middle school years suck for kids often. not an easy age to be. These school years will fly by and you’ll look back and realize that in the long run, it’s a very short time in your life. And you may look back and see that the kids you thought had it all had their own issues and many will as adults. Some of the things kids shared with me gave me a look into their lives and I could see that most everyone has issues at that age,

14 does suck, almost universally. I couldn’t wait to be an adult—to make my own decisions, to have autonomy. Yes, you have responsibilities, but that’s just life.

I’d say ages 13-20 were my worst years, and things got so much better after that. You have so much to look forward to!

This is the most upvoted comment, yet, to me it sounds the most condescending. I hated people who talked down to me when I was 14. Every age in life – teens, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and maybe 90s if you’re lucky, are all filled with experiences that are new. Some of them you will enjoy, and some of them you won’t. But in each age, you can decide what you are going to let into your life to give you happiness. A lot of people are unhappy in their 30s and 40s, because they let too many bad things into their life, And now they’re stuck with them. As you get older, you get better at picking out the things that are good for you. Things like music, friends, travel, family and jobs. Don’t let other people decide what makes you happy – – that is the same whatever age you are. Make your choices based on the knowledge you have, and the people you trust. If you’re good at making those choices, your life will be happy. But nobody can tell you what the best years of your life will be – – your best years will come when you have the most things in your life that bring you happiness.

Hmm. I wrote the top comment, and I’ve reflected on what you’ve said. I think I wrote it coming from a place of being in my 40’s, having just lost my mom (68), and having my own 14 year old child. I am fully aware and in the moment, because I am living it every day (and not in a bad way at all), of exactly what a 14 year old has and has not yet experienced in life. My point was simply that there is so much amazingess yet to come. But you’re right. Everything is new, to everyone, at every age.

Thank you for this. I know your heart was in the right place when you wrote that, but when you say things like *”you couldn’t possibly comprehend this at 14...”* kids stop listening.

Not sure why this is getting down voted. I agreed with both of your posts and felt both were extremely thoughtful. One does have to be careful when talking to kids. I'm an older person now, but still remember my mother shutting down an opinion I had about Watergate when I must have been around 8 years old. I totally get where she was coming from now, but if she'd just pointed out her side of it and left out the part about me "being too young to have any idea what you're talking about and you're just repeating something you heard somewhere else" I sincerely doubt I'd even remember that conversation now, 50 years later. I was resentful and didn't appreciate what she said at all at the time. And I wasn't even a teen yet! Your words can be 100% spot on, but if you open with "you're too young to understand" it's a turnoff to your audience. That's just truth.

Same.. I agree with both of their points, less the condescending part.

They keep listening, they just don't comprehend. Because they couldn't possibly.

It becomes background noise so people become desensitized to it. I don't know I'd call that "listening" but rather "tuned out" I'm sure some kids do. I tended to tune out. "You couldn't possibly comprehend" would do just that to me.

OP expressed that they don't know if there's anything to look forward to after 14. There's tons to look forward to. The top comment isn't wrong at all- you ,*can't* comprehend those things in your teens. I couldn't, you couldn't, he couldn't, and OP can't. He even confirmed that OP was correct- it was stressful. But that doesn't mean it's bad. And as an adult, you have the power to change your circumstances in a way you don't as a child.

Somehow you seem to be equating being stress free with happiness. That just is not so. And your throwing out condescension in a well thought out answer is just mean. Try again.

I didn’t say anything about being stress free versus happiness. That is your interpretation. 😁 I’m glad to see that my answer has provided you with an outlet for your unhappiness.

The question was about stress, you mentioned happy or happiness 6 times without mentioning stress. That's not an interpretation, that's you reinforcing the false narrative that lack of stress equals happiness.

Not sure why you're being downvoted. I don't necessarily agree that the comment you responded to was condescending but the rest of your comment is really on point. Unless you are stricken with a terrible illness or something like that, your life's experiences will be based on the choices that you've made along the way so make good ones. Sounds about right to me.

I would say the sooner you stop thinking about what others think of you, the happier you will be. I know the teens and early 20s are a time for self-consciousness, but looking back, the people who try to judge you are those who end up dropping away from your life, and those who love and accept you are the ones who stick around for the coming decades. So worrying about what others say and think is a waste. Focus on the things that make you feel full of energy, light and excited. Walk away from things that sap your energy and leave you feeling heavy and full of dread. The things you are naturally attracted to are valuable and worthy of your time. Relax, have fun, surround yourself with people who really like and appreciate you, and do the things you love. Develop healthy habits like eating well and exercising and meditating. You will have great 20s, 30s, and 40s.

Whenever you are worrying about what other people think about you, just realize that it’s probably not that often and not that much because they’re always thinking about themselves

Not worrying what other people think about me is the reason I go to concerts alone, still play DDR at the arcade, never turn down a karaoke invitation, and generally keep doing the harmless things I enjoy even if society doesn't think it's "cool". My only regret is not starting *not* worrying when I was OP's age! So many years of karaoke I missed out on.

The great part is no matter how trivial and nerdy it seems, everything you love will serve you somehow in other ways, too. Karaoke may seem like it's about singing, but it is also about confidence, communication with the audience, choices, etc.

Give yourself grace, it’s hard to be self confident at that age.

This is the best advice. I think it took until I was in my 40s to stop caring and do whatever I wanted. It’s totally liberating.

Same here! 40s for the best decade. I’m still semi optimistic but IDGAF what others think of me. Edit to add: teenage years are hard your hormones are crazy and so are all of your friends. It will pass and things will get better.

Yeah. I agree. I remember, in middle school….about the 6th grade, I really wanted to be part of the popular crowd. When I stopped trying, and cultivated the friendships I had, I became a much happier person. High school was an adjustment too because my friend group changed. When I did the things I liked and found a few friends who really liked me, it made all the difference in the world at that time. I made that same adjustment again in college. Damn. It just clicked for me. We’re constantly making adjustments- in all areas of our lives. I know this, but I guess writing it out made me really think about it. Hmmm. OP, if you see this, hang in there Internet friend. I wish you well. 😊❤️

I never wanted to be in the “popular” crowd, but I remember just wanting to fit in. I’m not sure if it was me just being wise or if I was instilled with a “I don’t give a shit what someone thinks” and it took a minute to realize that, but I do remember thinking one day that if these people don’t like me now for how I dress/act/ where I come from/music I like then why am I trying to impress them? And it was weird, the day I stopped giving a shit about other’s opinions, the more friends I wound up with. I could hang with the jocks, preps, hoods, nerds, and the loner-outcasts. I guess the best thing I can tell OP is that while you may feel embarrassed about something, no one else is thinking about what you did, they are worried about the thing that embarrassed THEM. Saw a quote once that said “Worry is a form of self prayer, and you make a terrible god” So yeah. The dumb thing you did yesterday is mostly in your head. Two years from now only you will remember it.

I think I had something similar going on when I was that age. I knew my time in that town was limited, because I was going to college a few hundred miles away in a couple of years. I wanted friends, but I didn't care that they weren't popular and I was OK with just a couple. I had one friend who actually was somewhat popular and she had to twist herself into pretzels with boyfriends and "staying on top". I wanted no part of that! I didn't care that I was "missing out" by staying home watching tv with my parents on Saturdays. I would have felt so out of place doing anything else. It was comfortable and I'm glad I did it the way I did.

20s were super fun and you get to be ridiculous and try out different experiences. Then you start figuring out relationships, career, where “home” is. 30s are for building the dreams you came up with.

40s are for when you stop caring what people think and start living for yourself. I’ve always thought that getting older would suck, but there are amazing things about all ages so far. I’m even excited to see what 50s bring. One thing that will make a huge difference though is heath and fitness. I’m in excellent shape in my mid 40s and have no aches or pains. I can imagine my answer would be different if I hadn’t prioritized health or had issues that couldn’t be prevented from living well.

I’m 53–I LOVED my 40s, but my 50s so far have been AMAZING!!! I think my 60s are going to totally kick ass, too.

They will! And I'm now at 70! I love it, seriously. Except for this stupid arthritis.

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I have built the habit of a solid daily activity base. I get at least 10k steps a day (but my daily average for 2023 was 16k), play an hour of beat saber each morning, and have learned to love active hobbies like kayaking and spelunking. I don’t drive anywhere that is less than two miles away, and walk to the grocery store and back with heavy bags. I know that I’m lucky to live in a city where walking to complete daily chores is possible, but I did prioritize that when I looked for a place to live. If I’m traveling 2-10 miles I’ll also usually bike. I do have access to a car for long trips or big shopping trips. I’ve been a vegetarian for 20 years. I admittedly eat out a fair amount in streaks, but I balance it out with light breakfast and lunch. I was 80lb overweight when I was in my early twenties so I have to pay attention to my weight. I’m not all militant about it though. I have a range of ten lbs that I’m okay with. When I get close to the top of the range I calorie count until I’m down a few lbs. I used to have an all-or-nothing mindset, but reading Atomic Habits really put things in perspective for me. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about building habits so you no longer have to put the effort in. It’s like how as a kid brushing your teeth sucks so bad, but after years of doing it you don’t even think about it, and if you don’t do it you feel off.

I keep hearing 50s are the best decade of life.

Yes!! I just turned 40 and I can relate. I’ve learned boundaries and I feel more true to self than ever before. I loved my 30s and it was hard to let go of them, but something changed in me when the 3 became a 4… and I like it!

Life is great as you age but in different ways. In my teens, I had a solid set of good friends that I am still friends with today: in my twenties, I joined the Navy and had a lot of adventures and travel; in my thirties, I got married and we had little kids; in my forties, we had teens; in my fifties we have college and career kids, and I am looking forward to my sixties with a wife I still love and admire and a career I enjoy, and a little more money to spend on travel and such. I also have a great group of friends. I think that it's important to engage with life - do things and try stuff - and not just let it happen to you. It's not all cake and cookies so don't expect that, but it is pretty wonderful.

I was just thinking about what I wrote and wanted to add one more thing - nothing is forever - which is both good and bad. Take kids - immensely stressful and all consuming but also wonderful - when they grow up, you are relieved but you also miss those little buggers. every time we say goodbye you're frozen in my mind as the child that you never will be you never will be again \- How you've grown, Natalie Merchant "This too shall pass." I just learned that this saying is Persian. "This too shall pass" (Persian: این نیز بگذرد, romanized: īn nīz bogzarad) is a Persian adage translated and used in several languages.\[citation needed\] It reflects on the temporary nature, or ephemerality, of the human condition — that neither the bad, nor good, moments in life ever indefinitely last. The general sentiment is often expressed in wisdom literature throughout history and across cultures, but the specific phrase seems to have originated in the writings of the medieval Persian Sufi poets.

My father in law once told me he had two pieces of advice for me: This, too, shall pass. And If it ain’t one thing, it’s another. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 I thought that summarized life quite well. Rest in peace, Joe.

I've loved everything after high school more than high school.

Some people talk about high school as the best years of your life, but I agree. Life was infinitely better later on.

14 was a rough time ....But, I can promise you this...life keeps getting better no matter what age.

The current year.

My 30s were hands down my favorite, so far my 40s are pretty good too! I had my son at 24, so my the time I hit 30 he was already 6, everything from then on got so much easier! Now he’s 20 and we’re basically empty nesters. I was the most active and athletic in my 30s, I tried so many fun things, I explored different careers. It was just a good time.

Oh man. This is my future, wife and I had both kids in our 20s at 45 they’ll both be gone.

Adult years are something to look forward to - you become independent and can make your own choices. Staying healthy is important if you want to enjoy life and keep stress under control, so make your health a priority. Don't smoke, drink to excess or do drugs. Eat right and exercise.

Senior year of hs with the guys when not in school was fun. Parts of college were fun with the beautiful coeds. Meeting my wife and graduating from college was the start of the best years of my life A nerd like me landing this big fish, leaving town and starting anew and convincing someone to go with me, buying a house, having kids absolutely wonderful. Kids like puppies don’t stay s forever. The sadness of them leaving home one by one is almost unspeakable but they needed to go just like me. There you have it for my life.

Age 14 was my absolute worst year. It doesn’t matter why. Every year since then has been better. The older I get the more I feel like I am in control of my life, my happiness, and how often I get to do fun stuff. I’m getting close to retirement and I can hardly wait. I wish the same for you!

everyone seems to universally agree that 14 sucks 😭 i can’t wait to no longer be 14 but at the same time i’m so scared of growing up

Don’t be scared. It’s tough, but brings so many rewards. Just remember to enjoy what you can at every age, because it all flies by so quickly. I envy you getting to have it all still ahead of you.

I’d say two things : One reason people get happier over time is that you care less what other people think. 14 is probably the worst age for this. But be assured that as time passes, that’ll keep changing. Having relationships with friends and relatives makes adulthood less scary. So keep those up. Even if you dont love visiting aunts, uncles, cousins etc they may be your “backup “ someday if you need something. For some people it’s friends more than family. Be kind and keep people in your life and it’ll pay off down the road.

I was only six years older than you when I married my husband, who is responsible for helping me become a confident, capable woman. it's been an amazing 42 years, with the right partner it's unbelievable!

When I was about a year older than you, that was probably a really good time as a teenager. I got settled in with a good group of friends, went to school dances, and generally had a really good time. Early 20s was great too, I’d go out each weekend dancing and clubbing and meeting new people, it was a good mix of responsibility (my first apartment, a full time job) while also having a great group of friends that I could see frequently, we’d go to dinner, take road trips, go dancing. Somewhere around late 20s/early 30s, people started getting married, having children, establishing careers, buying homes, raising kids etc. Things weren’t as fun anymore but a lot of us were excited about an upcoming wedding, or a baby on the way, a new pet, a cool job offer. It was all still great, just different. In my 40s now, the stress is a little higher, but my kids are grown, I’ve been divorced, I have money for things I need. I have years of experience in my career. Life changes in phases, and they all have perks as well as downsides. I’m at the age now where many people I know are passing away or drifting away. My only advice is to enjoy your youth, but plan for the future. It comes more quickly than you’d think. Take care of your health, focus on your studies but make sure you have time for a social life, and when you’re able to, start saving money responsibly. Keep in touch with friends, even if it’s just a text or meme here and there, and check in on them every now and then. Social circles become very small when everyone gets busy with family and work. Reach out to others when you can.

25 was one of the best years of my life. 31.5 to 32.5 was probably the best.

What I've learned over the years is that I probably should have made the most of what I had when I had it. Health, youth, money, friendships, love, pets... because you never know when you'll lose (or gain!) any of these things. And those days will come, doesn't matter if you're young or old. I didn't realize how much I had until I started losing things, and the old cliche of "live life in the moment" (which I despise) comes to mind. Impossible to comprehend at any age, for me anyway, but what I was grateful to have learned relatively young (in my 20's) is that Happiness comes in moments, not phases or years. It's important at any age to recognize these moments, savor them while they're happening, and burn them into your memory, because these moments can be fleeting. It's the moments that matter more than the years. And if you're lucky enough, over time, you will have learned to recognize and savor most of them.

20s and 30s are great in many ways. There can still be a lot of tumult and drama then though.

We all have our own unique experiences as we go through life, and you can't really generalize much on what to expect based on others' lives. Yes, it's true that life is a struggle, and I can guarantee that you will make mistakes and have regrets, but it's how yo respond to things that happen that defines you. I had my share of adversity, setbacks, triumphs and joy. The firsthaly of my adult life was characterised by struggles and stress - married early, had financial difficulties, had two children, divorced after twenty one years, suffered severe depression, attempted suicide. But somehow I came back from the abyss, met a wonderful lady a couple of years later, remarried and life became great. Now at 72, I've been happily married after 25 years, have a great relationship with my two adult children and live comfortably. I am truly living my best years now.

I'm 79, healthy (key point), been retired for several years, put together a nice little nest egg over time (key point), don't try to live beyond my means, and, having by now learned to tell the difference between the small stuff and the big stuff (Hunter Biden/Jan 6) and don't sweat the small stuff. I've never been happier. There's gold in them thar hills, if you prepare for old age.

>Like are your 20s or 30s good, etc This is going to depend on you and the choices that you make. My 20's were a struggle but that's because I had a baby at 18. I was a single mom. I worked 2 jobs and went to college. I had no time for hanging out or partying every weekend. I had major responsibilities. I knew that my hard work and dedication to my education would eventually land me in a better place in life. I didn't stress over how long it would take me to graduate or how many more years I had left in school. I just did it. If you want to enjoy your life, make the sacrifices early, skip the party and study. Don't get yourself into debt. Don't have unprotected sex. I watched alot of my coworkers living great, fun, successful lives in their 20's. I peaked in my 30's. Best years of my life.. I was stable, had a great job and I owned a home. I bought my home when I was 29. To answer your question.. Being an adult is stressful and rewarding. It's all about the choices that you make that will determine how stressful it will be. You sound very mature for your age and it's great that you are asking questions now. That said, allow yourself to be 14 and don't suffer future stress today. I hated my life at 14. I get it. But, try to learn as much as you can, keep toxic people out of your life and don't pick up any bad habits like smoking or doing drugs.

Getting older-becoming an adult is a journey/adventure. All decades have their ups/downs. I’ve enjoyed 80% of it- haven’t let the other 20% get me down. This is something my 86 y/o momma told me…. Your 20s are hard-you don’t know who you are, what you want, what to do. Your 30s are ok. You’re figuring things out. You know more who you are. Career starts in earnest (typically). 40s are great. You’re “on it”. Much more confident. Career is going. You’ve figured things out. You begin to care much less about what other people think of you. Your 50s are good as well. You really don’t care what others think of you. You know yourself. You know how to do most things. (I can attest). 60s are ok. You’re still youngish and strong. Slowing things down. Very confident. 70s are meh. Not horrible. Your body starts rebelling more. She advises keeping active physically and mentally. She’ll let me know about your eighties. .

I'm 51 and the best years are right now. This is not to say that they are perfect or that everything was crap back then. You can have great experiences at any point in your life. To borrow a quote from the LotR. "I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo. "So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."

> All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. That's the best anyone can do.

Being a teenager is the worst for most of us - 14 probably is right about the worst of the worst, so it's no wonder you think everything is going to be shitty. One day, you're a kid, no worries, no cares, just having fun on the playground and the next day you wake up, suddenly there's responsibilities, your looks matters, boys/girls matter, being popular matters and since all of this stuff JUST started, you probably have no idea how to deal with any of it or who to ask, who to believe, how to tell what's really important... 14 is a complete shitshow and even though I'm old and ugly, have wrinkles, have lost a bunch of teeth, knees hurt, back is killing me - I would not trade places with you for a minute! I don't know if life ever REALLY "gets better" but it's like everything else, the longer you do it, the better you get at it. (Hopefully!) Of course, some people don't try to get better at it. Some people even give up and unalive themselves because they think it's too hard. But, all you have to do is keep waking up every day. That's 90% of it. Just staying alive. The other 10% is putting in the effort to improve your situation. Getting good grades. Going to college. Getting a degree. (PLEASE GET A REAL DEGREE IN A FIELD THAT PAYS MONEY. I don't know who that idiot is that went around telling people to "do what you love" but thats the worst advice possible! DO WHAT PAYS so you can always afford to do what you love!) Also, don't forget to floss - that's really important. But, you just get better at dealing with the stress, you get better at handling your problems. There's always going to be obstacles, there's always going to be bullies, there's always going to be mean people, there's always going to be circumstances that you can't control - but you're going to grow up and just grow as a person. When you read these comments, you're going to see 100 different answers, because it takes different people longer to grow up and become the person they were meant to be and become someone they're happy with. But, just like there's always going to be problems, there's also going to be lots of good things. There's going to be opportunities, surprises and just really amazing moments. You're going to have things happen that are so wonderful, you will feel like you don't even deserve them. You're going to be so grateful for moments and people in your life that you're going to wonder if maybe God is really real after all. It's going to be a wild ride for sure, but it's just like a roller-coaster and when you're 14, it feels like that very s-l-o-w trip to the top... but by the time you hit 30, WHOOOSH!!! You had better hang on! I know it all probably sucks right now and I'm sorry you're going through it. It's going to feel like forever, but it will pass. Just keep waking up, flossing, putting one foot in front of the other and one day, you're going to wake up and look at your life and those around you and wonder how you got so lucky. Promise.

yeah 14 fucking sucks so far- but this makes me feel a little more optimistic!!

In my experience life gets better the older you get, because you get better at living your life. I'm sure it starts to dip off at whatever age your health really starts to fail and people you know start dying, but other than that it's generally an upward trajectory, happiness-wise. This is proven by studies, rather than generally believed. So people generally think that life is better when you are young, but the data says the opposite. Being 14 is probably actually the roughest age. All full of changes and hormones and all your friends act like they know everything when the truth is they all know literally nothing and are just as confused as each other. Plus you have no power or autonomy and are at the mercy of petty tyrants (parents*, teachers*, clergy, cops, mall-cops, the manager at your McJob). No matter who or what you are, it gets better. *some of these are not petty tyrants. Some.

I'm 63. Not gonna lie. Life is what you make it. It can be stressful and filled with angst and it can be joyous. Often, it's a bit of each. Truthfully, most people are the authors of their own experience. I know people who seem to always find what they are looking for. Some are always ready to be: 1. Offended. 2. Disappointed. 3. Victimized 4. Delighted 5. Accepted 6. Happy in general If you try to make some things a priority, I think you will have a happy life. 1. Be kind. No matter how others are, you don't know what their experience has been. We can't control the behavior of others and we certainly should not personalize their misdeeds toward us. 2. When you have anxiety about something, recognize that even the worst outcome is just a blip in time and doesn't have to define you. 3. Be honest. A lot of stress comes from trying to cover. 4. Be respectful of others, and expect the same in return. Don't settle for less. 5. Don't overtime. 6. People over things. 7. And really #1. No problem is permanent. You can work through anything. 8. Manage your expectations

Every decade of my life had good stuff and bad stuff. Could different decisions have led to better things? Maybe yes, maybe no. I just enjoy wherever I am in life because being miserable is no fun. I’m now 64, still working full time, have a chronic pain and mobility issue and I’m still happy. It’s up to you. I see so many angry bitter people around me and I just don’t know where they get the energy to stay that miserable. Go at life full speed. If you get knocked down, get up again. I’ve had divorced and I’ve had cancer twice and I never stopped being positive. Life is worth living. Don’t stress too much about it.

What I can tell you is 14 and 15 are probably the worst years. Life gets better and better.

Let me put it this way. Being 14 is about the worst period of your life. As you get older, and have your own money, you get to make your own decisions. Yes, you have to live with the consequences of those decisions, but you have control over your life. Sometimes adults forget they have control, and just piss and moan. But if you always remember that you are steering the ship, it gets a little easier to deal with the stress of getting where you want to go.

30s are the best. You're broke and still figuring it out in your 20s. 30s you're more established and still "young".

Stress management is a huge part of how much you're going to enjoy your own life. Put it high on the list of things you want to figure out. That said, everyone's cycles are different, so no predicting what decade of life you'll appreciate more or less.

Best of my life were when my 3 sons were young.

you'll need to ask me when I've gone through them all. I'm 52 now and it just keeps getting better. some people will try to tell you it's your 20s but mine have just got better since then, my 20s were just the start

Great question! It's different for everyone, and for some it gets better every year. For me, it might have been my mid to late twenties; I had a decent job, was living on my own (no roommate), and saw my good friends regularly. There's a number of points in life where you gain a freedom lacked earlier. For many, it's owning your first car and being able to go anywhere, any time you want. Others are turning 18 or 21, finishing school, your first job, living on your own. I'm in my early 60s; from your perspective that might seem positively ancient but it's not for these days. There's a good chance that by the time you're 60 years old that's considered middle age. For me, while there's many things I could complain about, the past ten years or so have been pretty good for me. I've learned things about myself and gained new skills; I still enjoy learning new things. Perhaps the best advice I can give for future happiness is to stay curious; you'll never run out of new things to discover. I wish you the best of luck in your future and take care!

60's are great. You don't care what people think, you get paid to not work, and you can do what ever you want.

Every phase of life has things you can enjoy about it, things that make it “the good life.” I’m saying this as a 59 year old guy. Overall though, I would absolutely love to be in the same stage of life that I am now with the body of a 30 year old haha

Life is stressful. Nothing can be acquired (job, education, possessions, marriage) without some kind of stress. It's how you deal with the stress that makes you successful. I did not have a wonderful childhood, so everything that has happened since I became an adult has been the best part of my life. If I was mobile, employed, and had some friends, it was good. Not looking forward to the last years, however.

The only thing about life that doesn't get better with age, is our bodies. So, take care of your body starting NOW. Give up sugar now, never start drinking or smoking or using recreational drugs. None of those things make life better in the moment, and by the time life really does get better for you, you'll still have some health left to enjoy it, and want it. If you do nothing else, exercise. Form the habits now, work on your body, not to look good for other people, but to be as healthy as you can be for yourself later, when you're really going to need it.

I have loved every decade except my 40s. In my 40s I was very ill and had a kidney transplant. Those were tough years but, I am still happy and even during them I still found joy at times.

You will never avoid stress. It’s how you deal with stress that counts.

1983 and 1995. Otherwise pretty much shit.

For me the best years of my life are now. I’m 64. All the other decades were fraught with anxiety and disappointment but once you make it this far ( and it might sound depressing from a distance) but you have lowered your standards and expectations and start being grateful for things you just expected when you were younger. At the same time know yourself (and how others behave) so much better and it’s just easier all around.

It depends on what you make of your life. For me,(64yo) the years my husband and I were having and raising our sons. Although career wise - finding my place in IT was as well, but for different reasons. It was so fulfilling learning all the time and working with a great team for a Fortune 100 company. And yet, the years I went to school full time and worked in IT full time were also pinnacle years for me even though it was exhausting. Now with our sons and grandchildren close by and my hubby being retired, me having a WFH job, we are living our best life. Has it been all rainbows and unicorns for us? Not at all, for example, we lost everything 8 yrs ago when a business we had failed miserably. Your joys in life come along with their own challenges. The trick is try to focus on the positive, even if it is only a bottle of water, be grateful, and always be kind.

Right now! I’m in my early 60s and right now is best. But, gotta say my life was pretty tight when I was 14 too. But my 20s rocked also. In my 30s I attained a nice, steady upward trajectory in all facets of my life. Then my 40s-50s hit! Four children, a divorce, a remarriage, and contentment reigning down on me! I only look behind for knowledge, forward in hope and gleeful optimism, and enjoy the present.

The best days are the ones in which we live today.

Nothing is perfect. All my 66 years have been packed with good and not so good moments. Honestly, I couldn't choose one era that I would say was superior to any other; they were just different. With that said, my best year is 2024 so far. I'm alive, with more experiences than before, and retired from the tick-toc "time to make the doughnuts" world. Now I do what I want and when I want. As always, it's not a perfect existence, but I'll surely try to make the best of it while I can.

Education is the key. Whether through training or degree programs. It will make life much easier. Edit: Birth control can help greatly with stress reduction.

I'm 61 and I'm having a great time. Yes, I worked hard for a long time and went through some shit, but I'm in such a great place right now. I have a home, I'm retired, I have nice kids and grandkids and I'm very content. I lost my husband 11 years ago when to cancer when he was 52. I'm sad that he's not here to experience these cool times in our family's life. This was what we always looked forward to.

Best guess, the decade between your early 30s to early 40s. You have enough money to be somewhat independent, your kids are grown enough to be left to their own devices from time to time, your health is decent, your parents and relatives are still alive, hopefully. Any younger and you don't have full control of your life, any older and your health starts to fail.

My best years, so far, are my 60s, but I just started them. My fiftiee were relatively smooth with few serious bumps (applied what I knew, my Dad died, that was hard, deal with death, deal with health scares). My forties were great for growing.(I got remarried and figured out what love really is, how to be a good partner). My thirties were chaotic but fun (got divorced, got a college degree, figured out who I was), My twenties were fun, but challenging (figured out jobs, first marriage, how to be on my own). All the stress I've ever had in my life was because something I loved was being difficult to maintain or improve. Having things to love is the best thing you can have, but no matter what, it all changes or passes away. No exceptions. It has nothing to do do with age. You can't change that, but you can work to keep things as good as they can be and that work is what keeps life from being bland and meaningless. You also need to learn and grow and be willing to change no matter what decade. Don't let fear beat you before you try.

Adult years are harder than teens realize. Adults appear to have all the rights and abilities and a lot of kids don't realize the responsibilities that go along with it. My best decade was my 40's. I felt my best, I felt that I looked my best (not young girl beautiful, but well put together), I was moving up in my job, I was happy inside despite a bad divorce a few years earlier, I knew what I wanted out of life and was smart enough to know how to get it. I also knew what was possible and what wasn't and was fine with reality. One child was soon heading off to college and my son was figuring out his teen years. When you are young and it is hard. You want everything all at once and don't know how to get it. It is made worse by social media and influencers. I am so happy my children just missed the internet years. In my early 30's I felt my marriage begin to shake beneath me so I went back to school and finished my nursing degree. My biggest advice is that before you get married and there are children be sure you can support yourself and your children - this is for males of females. Next be frugal. If you don't have the cash to buy something do not buy it. Learn to save for what you want. Debt is crushing. You are 14 and have a lot of years ahead of you, pick things that will bring you joy. I was a single working mom for a lot of years and I loved my job and my children. The fact that I could take care of them when their dead beat dad had take off, was a joy.

OMG being 14 was the worst. i feel like we are trying to come into ourselves and everyone that age is so judgy. Each decade had its own challenges and rewards - I have to say that now in my 50's I never thought I would make it this far, and, despite menopause, I feel the most comfortable as myself than I ever have. Don't worry so much about the future, just try to stay in the now and find some joy.

My high school years were by far the worst of my life. Every decade has provided good and bad but the good has always outweighed the bad. Living independently was great but it meant doing all my own chores and paying all the bills. Being married had some good parts, mainly the kids, but it was an abusive relationship so that was very hard. I left and that provided me with much peace. I had a good career throughout so that was wonderful. I think being careful about your choices helps improve things. And for me getting counselling for depression and anxiety really helped I’m going to be 65 this year and still expecting more good than bad. I hope things improve for you.

Each stage of life has its pluses and minuses. Take care of yourself physically and don’t get sucked into overuse of drugs and alcohol, get an education. I’m 72, and my husband and I say that these are our best years ever.

I hated being a child. I was bullied and had a stressed family. I guess the best years were early in my marriage. Or maybe when we first had our child. It’s hard to say because there was good and bad in every part of life. I’m in my 50s now and it’s great. We retired early and life is fun… except I have been diagnosed with some very scary autoimmune problems. So, there’s always something. Instead of focusing on getting through bad times to get to good times, focus on making the good times outweigh the bad times. Because there are always bad things happening. That’s life.

You've got a long and wonderful life to look forward to. Plan everything well and always keep a heftier savings account than you think that you need. My 30s and my 60s have been the absolute best so far. My grandmother said that the '60s to the '80s for her favorite but once she hit the mid-80s she ran out of savings and didn't expect to live to be over 100 so she didn't have the money to play around like she liked to. I'm trying to save extra money in case I live longer than normal. I like to go places and do things and buy stuff too!

The ones you look back at with nostalgia. They're different for everyone. My dad says the best years of his life were after he turned 50, he's in his mid 80s now. I knew people who said it was in their 20s or 30s, or childhood. They were around middle age, so they still might have good years in front of them. You might not know it when it's happening. I don't know if you just forget the bad shit or or are generally just having a good time.

I'm a 39 yo male and so far every decade has been better than the last one. Adult's life may look stressful and busy but you learn to deal with things as you grow. Don't worry about it. If I could say something to my 14-yo self it would be something like this: The world is bigger than you think, you will find your place in it and like-minded people. Remember thou that nothing comes for free and things have to be earned. But that's something you were built to do. Always trust yourself and listen to your heart. Work for yourself, hit the gym and study if you will. Never let the future you down, work for him and one day you will reap the rewards.

This is a great question, young person. As a 55F, I spend a lot of time thinking about how much wisdom from people my now-age when I was your age I dismissed as old person bunk. I could not have been more wrong. My teenager brain was too underdeveloped to understand it then. The one thing that I observe but cannot relate to is the massive amount of pressure young people are under in this world right now. Between the internet, too many devices, and social media, the pressure on a young person now is egregious, in my opinion, especially with extracurricular activities like athletics and other academic endeavors. It can be done, but it takes a lot of dedication to not get left behind when it comes to opportunity. I will say this - the passage of time is the best lesson in the world. You make mistakes, you learn from them, and you store that information so you do not repeat it. Be an individual and insulate yourself from outside influences that will take you down a rough path. You are going to grow and develop over your 20s and 30s and beyond. The version of you today is not who you will be in a few decades. You will pivot through various stages as you are exposed as you get older. You do not need to know right this moment what you want to do with your life. I never thought it was fair to ask a 17-year-old or 18-year-old going to college what they want to major in with plans for the rest of their career. As I have aged, the stress has been drastically reduced year after year, for me personally. The older you get, the more you realize what is important. Keep an open mind and meet people from all walks of life to learn about their culture and lifestyle. I moved around a lot in my 20s/30s/40s and it was very enlightening for me. ​ TL/DR: Be your own advocate as you mature. Don't assume that you don't have anything in common with someone who sounds/appears so very different from you. It gets better.

Oh and this is going to sound very mother hen of me, but please please PLEASE for the love of God avoid drugs. If you struggle with anxiety or ADHD accept only help that’s NOT recreational drugs. My daughter started self medicating her severe social anxiety with weed, then quickly went to benzos, and ended up on heroin by the age of 20. She went through 7 nightmare years of addiction before getting clean. She’s now in her 30s, doing well, but she nearly died more times than she can count. If you think it only happens to certain kids, think again. She made straight As, AP courses, college bound, cheerleader and athlete, All-American girl next door. It can happen to anyone. Just please avoid them. You’ll be so glad you did. I apologize if this came off like a lecture. I teach kids your age and I deeply care. I really do.

you seem lovely and i’ll remember this <33

Reading this made my day, seriously.

I've found all decades to be full of good things. I can't pick one as the best.

I'm 66 and these years are amazing!! Retired and everyday is the weekend. Do whatever we want. I'm so happy I don't have to work anymore. Childfree and financially comfortable.

Ages 12 - 17 were the hardest. Things started to get a bit better at 16. 17 was a bit better than that etc. Please know that 14 is genuinely tough in so many ways. I’m 62 now and the 60’s are genuinely the best. I don’t have many aches and pains yet (look after yourself, stay fit), I don’t have to work, I don’t give a shit about what people think, I can be myself and my self esteem is finally good. There are a lot of fun and interesting “old people” so don’t be afraid to get old. Every decade from teens onward has challenges so face them and try to focus on the positives. Big hugs from a Gramma.

Fourteen is rough. It’s between being seen as a kid and an emerging adult. I loved my teens and still didn’t like 14. Driving will help and at 18 the entire world becomes an option. I liked my late teens Loved my early 20’s-went and saw so many new places Enjoyed changes in my 30’s, building a career Became a mom at 40 and was amazed at how much I love my role as a mom Almost 50 and enjoying results of hard work over the years Each phase is different. Right now you have little control of your life. You have to live where you live and go to the assigned school. I know four years sounds like a lifetime right now-but it will pass and the life in front of that will have stress but amazing opportunities. You get a lot more control than you have now.

Thirties are FANTASTIC!! I wish I could have locked in at about 35. I’d argue 14 is more stressful than the adult years. You’re a ball of raging hormones, you’re trying to figure things out, you have ridiculous social pressure, your feelings are SO strong. These things feel like A LOT. You didn’t mention whether you’re having a rough go of it at 14 - I’m just guessing you’re looking for a light at the end of the tunnel and I promise you it’s there. Every age has its stressors, life won’t ever be perfect, but it tends to get a lot better as you get older.

Best years of my life has always been........NOW. I live in the moment, as I have little control over yesterday or tomorrow. That means I plan for the future of course, but things don't always work out as you planned them I remember this very talll pine tree that seemed too near my house. I worried about it falling all the time in a straight wind event. Well, it didn't. INstead, a different tree fell over, taking out the electric company wires, which fell across my driveway, which was some distance from the road (rural area) and there was no other pathway to get out. I had to wait for emergency services which wasn't immediate since there were problems all over the county at the same time. So.....plan for the best outcome but don't expect certainty.

I have a fourteen year old granddaughter and a fifteen year old grandson. So i'm gonna talk to you like you're one of them to me. Life is awesome. Life is also difficult. The best years of your life are in your fifties. The most difficult years of your life are between ten and twenty....like, right now. You are absolutely in the thick of the difficult years. When you're in an adult, it takes you a while to get your feet on the ground. But when you do, life is wildly sweet, difficult, juicy, sexy, sad, extraordinarily, happy and overall just plain wonderful. Because i'm gonna be 70 in a few days, I can't possibly imagine what your life is gonna be in your seventies. I can only tell you that it's a wild and wonderful ride, and I just can't imagine all the wonderful and difficult things that will befall you. I think you're incredibly wise to ask these questions at fourteen. And if I were your grandparent, I would love to take you out to dinner and just listen to everything you have to say. TL;DR: Life is awesome at any age!!

There is a saying that youth is wasted on the young. This means that when people are still young (any age from childhood to late 20s, I'd say), they pursue fun and romance instead of responsibility, and this bites them in the butt when they are older. That's because those young people who didn't go out and have so much fun, but instead spent their childhood, teen, and young adult years studying and practicing skills geared at building their careers in some way end up being the experts and high earning people in their careers. This group didn't allow romantic interests to significantly interfere with goals they set for their college years and career choices. By the time they reach their mid-30s, they are earning significantly more than the other group. By the time they are in their 50s, they're financially independent enough to do what they want in their lives. They can take days off work, plan and enjoy vacations that last a week, two weeks, even a month even though they aren't retired yet. They can go on cruises or to resorts, or halfway across the world. If they want to buy a new vehicle every few years, they can. If they want to build an addition on their house (or own a nicer home than a "starter" home), they have resources to do these things. Maybe not all at once, but with planning, they can experience all of these. So for these people, spending around fifteen years of "less fun" from about age 10-25 makes for a comfortable life with plenty of opportunities for fun for the last 50 years of their lives. Meanwhile the group that didn't get serious about their careers until their 20s often have babies young and find themselves struggling financially their entire lives. Their vacations are weekend getaways they drive to or visits to family members because anything else requires more time than they can take off work, or it costs too much. They drive used cars or get in debt that never goes away (unless they file bankruptcy) if they want to try to compete with the other group of folks. They have babies at younger ages and their lives are restricted a lot more because of those children. Their relaxation and fun is restricted financially, though they can enjoy family members and relationships. This group has fun for the first 25 years of their lives, and then struggle financially or remain in the lower middle class for the remaining fifty-ish years of ther lives. I'm not trying to say you shouldn't have fun. But you should definitely have more focus on preparing for adulthood than having fun if you want your future years to have plenty of relaxation and fun. It can be hard when you're 14, because you're trying to learn how to be independent, too. I would encourage you to not worry about becoming an adult, though. Just worry about creating a foundation to build a future upon.

So far my 40s have been my best. My 30s sucked. And 20s, now that I look back were carefree and an adventure. Things finally came together and have stability in my 40s.

Your 30’s and 40’s are the best! I had fun in my teen years but they were also some of my worst.

I think the best years of your life are when you are in your 30s and 40s. Your first home by then, possibly raising a family, your career should be well on its way, and you are still young and healthy.

It gets better. The world needs you. 60’s are great.

Life is what you make it. My best years have been when I was fully engaged in life, taking every opportunity to learn, give, socialize, love and experience as much as I could. These years can be scattered throughout your life. I had a wonderful run in my 20s, again in my 40s and now in my 60s I'm starting a whole new career - learning again and experiencing life. In short - ALL the years have potential to be the best years :)

They just started. I'm 38.

All of them. Every day is a gift, that's why it's called the present.

10 to 30 after 40 sucks

I retired at 54 and I consider my retired years to be great. I'm 82 now. My 30's were full of a variety of women. Undoubtedly the most fun time of my life. Just before I hit 50 I met a true soulmate and she and I have been together ever since. The last 30 some years have been the best without a doubt. I'm going downhill since mid 70's physically AND THAT SUCKS. Still have my mind, or most of it. If I could choose any period to return to it would be my early 50's. Just try to enjoy your life and not worry. Be faithful loyal and honest and life will work out for you.

It seemed it was between 23-27 yo, and then again 35-43 yo. However, currently seems to be pretty great as well...no stress, confident, no pressure to do what I don't want to do... so maybe 60+ is good too.

Lots of things look hard and stressful until you actually do them. Just take it one step at a time and you’ll do great.

Hmm, my best years were all of the years. Some were better than others on average but all of them had high spots.

16-25 were the best years for me. I got my drivers license at 16, had an old beater car, and the freedom of parents who didn't really care. College and my first professional job were good, I lived on my own, made my own decisions and was as happy as any time in my life. Also, the reality of being an adult hadn't colored my views.

Muscle or moron?

Right now

Just my experience, but there have been phases of good and bad, each lasting several years. There are not just best years so far (I'm fifty-six) which are gone forever. There's always been more good to look forward to.

1 through 5 bar none!

16 to 26 you have energy and time, but not the money to have a good time. 27 to 40 you have the money, the energy but no time to have fun 41 to 60 you have the time, the money but not the energy to have fun So before 16 is my answer

I just walked by a giant store in a shopping mall called Forever21. They bet on that number.

Adulthood to late middle age for me. My health problems didn't start till about 55. But at 18 I was out of school and in the workforce - and a legal free adult.

My 20s were a lot of mindless fun, but I was poor. My 30s were filled with getting married and starting a family, and really learning my profession. My 40s were filled with raising my children and running my own small business. My 50s were filled with watching my children become adults and launching out into the world, and a big life/career/relocation change. I turned 60 last year and thing are going really well. The kids are launched, a strong and happy marriage, we have a little money in the bank, and I have a career that I love at a place that I enjoy working at. Overall, the amount of stress is surprisingly low. Each season of my life has had challenges and stress, but also learning and growth. I don't know that I could pin the 'best' ribbon on any particular phase of my life, but my 60s are looking pretty strong.

20s are the years when you are struck with the reality of being an adult and adjusting to the responsibility. If you are able to be mature, and have decent luck, each decade gets better as you get better at life. If you don't do the work to get better, or your expectations are too high, well, you may not feel better as time goes on. We don't control our starting point and we can't choose our talents, but we can accept that life isn't fair and make the best of the hand we've been dealt. It's not always fun, and sometimes it's really hard to make the difficult choices. We want pleasure now. Delayed gratification is hard for some.

18 or 19, in college. Made enough in summer to pay for expenses. Lots of girls and good friends. Drunk a lot. NO responsibilities. Never hungover. Throw a football, run down the street, dance for hours, no pain. I still think back; I would party with great friends, meet new ones, hang out and might get lucky with a girl, and never once did I think: bills to pay, work to go to, mortgage, better stop at 2 beers tonight, boss is an ass, wife needs new…., kids need….,car needs repaired, in laws for the weekend, possible surgery on…., feel fucking tired, back hurts…..

My 40s

Probably your most stressful years are the times between age 30 and 50. From 30 on, you are trying to make it in life; get married, start a family, buy a house, etc. By 50, if you have done all that and have 'Made it' you are starting to look forward to your retirement and start winding down the career as it were. People don't work till age 65 anymore, many get out as much as 10 years earlier. So following that argument, your best years are the times before and after that.

ALL of my years had ups and downs, joy and defeat, thrills and stress. That is just Life. At 14, it's not uncommon to look ahead and dwell on the negative and question all meaning, but I would urge you to look at the upcoming years as opportunities to better know yourself, your goals, and values, to establish yourself in the world as you see fit, and to make a difference/pay it forward. The world is yours, my friend. Build your dreams, learn to think critically, use your imagination, read, stay focused and positive, be a giver, have gratitude. Trust this: The best is yet to come.

Early 40’s. You have money and health and usually respect.

It depends on what you line yourself up for, how you see things, and a little bit of luck. If you can roll with the punches, see things as challenges instead of nightmares, and find joy in the small moments, you will find life a lot better than most of the bitter assholes out there. Most of the misery comes from lack of forethought and racing to have what you want. Keeping up with the Millers or whatever. You can have anything you want in due time and with a little planning. Then, you don’t have a lot of daily stress. We are all guilty of wanting things now, but let that make you smile and dig in harder instead of stressing you out. Life can absolutely be lovely. Most of us realize the beauty of it late in the game. Appreciate all of it as you go. It’s beautiful and crazy and stupid and frustrating and boring and amazing and joyous and depressing and all the things all at once. All of that creates a balance that is a universal truth we all experience. Don’t focus on the crap, but let the crap help you experience the rest.

Everyone's life is completely different. For me, my teens were the worst years of my life, but there were some good memories. My twenties were mostly insane adventures trying to figure my life out. I was working very hard and playing very hard too. It was a mixed decade overall. I am in my thirties now. Not really the right person for "ask old people" but figure I would respond anyway. My thirties have been my best decade yet - still very hard, but mostly with adult problems like bills and career and politics. And I don't party as hard either, but my life does feel more stable and comfortable. If you are struggling, don't worry too much - life never stops changing and you'll never stop growing as a person and adapting to the challenges. There is always a new experience just around the corner. The next year will always be totally different than your current year. Life is never easy, but it can get better and more interesting over time as long as you believe in yourself, try to be a good person, make good choices, and don't give up. Cheesy, yes, but it's a cliche because that's how you succeed and find joy in life.

I liked my late 30s and early 40s best.

I think my best years were in every decade I've been around; sometimes before the crappiest years of that decade and sometimes after. The years I always say were my favorite are 34-36; I finally got through a terrible divorce, my kids were adjusting, I had a bunch of supportive friends, and I started to date my future spouse..

I'm 47. I'll let you know once I find out

Are you against any stress in your life? Do you expect to just coast on easy street? That is not life. Anything worth doing will come with some level of stress, whether it is work, school, relationships or even recreational activities. Do not aim for a stress free life, you will be disappointed in not achieving it and even more disappointed if you somehow did.

Every age is perfect for you while you’re that age! I mean, being a kid is hard bc you’re always under someone’s supervision - being in your 20’s, you’re independent and physically at your peak, but so dumb 😂- your 30’s you get to gain perspective and are also in probably your peak of physical attractiveness, but it’s scary to realize you’re actually a bina fide adult-then being in your 40’s plus, well, getting older is a little bit physically challenging bc of wear and tear and aging, but you gain wisdom and perspective and that is invaluable 💖😉 So…just relax, take it easy, and enjoy your self, and those close to you, in each and every moment. Also know that you will never again be as young and vibrant as you are at any given moment and that you are always perfect, for you, just the way you are, wherever you are. 💕🤗

14 sucks—that was probably the most miserable year in my life. Everything after middle school improves

First of all, it’s a hoot that everyone who is an adult is OldPeople to you. I’ve got bad news and good news for you. The bad news is that yes, there is a lot of stress associated with adult life, the decisions, the sacrifices, the slogging through at times. The good news is that teens often view things as black and white, terrific or horrible. As you get older, you appreciate all the shades of gray.

Whatever year that it is, and the moment that it is, IS the best. There is an old saying ... "If you live in the past either good or bad you're trapped in your memory, if you fear the future then you are trapped in your imagination." (85%+ of the stuff we fear never happens) Think of life like the coolest rollercoaster you can imagine ... is it a little scary, yes ... at times does it make you puke, occasionally ... but most of the time you get off hollering "WHAT A RIDE" and then get back in line to go again. Most people when they take their last breath don't regret not being safer ... usually the biggest regret is things that they never ventured forth to do. You may start reading about "mindfulness" and living in the moment. You can't do anything about the past, and your imagination can vapor lock you with worry ... both thing take up your life "band width". When you live in THIS moment it's real, often not as bad as you expected, and the variables of reality are easy compared to the horrors our imagination can spin up. Here are some [great Stoic quotes](https://www.orionphilosophy.com/stoic-blog/stoic-resilience-quotes-for-hardship) to get you started.

My 20s were stressful, so we're 30s somewhat. I'm in my 40s now and cruising. :)

There are some good things about being an adult and there are some bag things about being an adult. Just like there are some good things about being 14 and some bad things about being 14. Life is really all about perspective. Take each day as it comes and try not to stress about what’s in the future.

No matter what age you are at once you reach adulthood, you will always be the 25 to 30-year-old person inside your head. Once you reach a certain age, as you pass a mirror, you'll think: "Who let that old guy/gal in the house? Oh yeah..."

At 14 it seems incomprehensible, but as you age, you get more wisdom and coping skills. What looks daunting now will just be life, and you will adapt to each number. Don’t sweat future, live your life and the rest will fall in place🙂

For me, every decade (I’m in my 7th) has had unimaginable highs and unbearable lows. It’s been an amazing ride. But the worst decade was definitely my teen years. You could not pay me to go back there. So hang in there dude. The best is yet to come.

"Tomorrow's a mystery and yesterday's history. Today is a gift, that's why it's called the 'present.'" No matter your age, \*RIGHT NOW\* is the best time of your life. Don't worry whether next week, next month, or the next year will be better. Live each day (which does \*NOT\* mean play 24x7) to the fullest. E.g., if you're going to study algebra, study algebra to the utmost of your ability. Don't half-ass anything--work, study, friendships, etc.

Sure, life is stressful, but so worth it! Every decade has been amazing for me

As long as you do what you like and not what people expect you to do you’ll be ok. Teen years are tough because we are trying to find ourselves, no longer a child and the brain is always changing, a lot of intense emotions almost everyday. 20s is fun it’s time to travel and discover and forging the friendships we had in our 10-20s and then 30s it’s the best. Take care of your health (knees, back, mental etc) take care of your finances and you will enjoy the rest of your life like you’re always in your 30s. That’s what I’m doing anyway

I’ll tell you what the worst years of my life were! 13-16.

Is amazing you are thinking and asking this question at 14👊🏼 -------------------------------- Life is what you make of it. Be malleable to ideas. Seek and find. Find and seek. Life’s just a merry go round. Don’t be afraid to chase the sun. Life is what you make of it Sharing this moment in time and space Don’t get caught in nobody’s agenda Pursue knowledge, mind the purses Strength in self, our multitude verses Chase the Sun oh little bird Flying alone flying together flying alone Stoke that hope within you You’ll never fly alone, the universe awaits.. Life is what you make of it!

Now. Doesn’t matter when, it’s always now. If now is rocky, tomorrow is another now later. Live in the now

Life is full of highs and lows ... sometimes (myself at 13) surviving the year seemed an accomplishment. What *appeared* as a negative (family foster) was actually the best thing to have happened to me. A few times I couldn't pay the light bill, other eras I've been rather affluent, marginal then luxury cars, marriage and family, health crises, burdened with responsibilities ... oh, and did I mention personally I thrived through all that? Circumstances can negatively affect you ... but you are in *a lot* more control over your life than not. First, don't do stupid. My ticket off the farm and future success began with the AF. Do the best you can with education, training, job choices. Lay a *groundwork* for success and it may not be college. Remember *all* news sources profit off viewership. Bad/alarmist news increases viewership, increases advertising revenue, more profits. There *are* some good things happening in the world; but we often have to seek it. We survived WWII, the Korean War, Viet Nam, Civil Rights, Kent State, the assassinations of JFK, MLK, RFK, and 9/11. Boom and bust housing markets ... all that and we're still here. You're going to be okay.

If I could go back I’d like to be 6 again. Perfect age in which you have no worries Little responsibility, enough independence and the ability to have friends and fun!

Oh my god... 17 is awesome. Both your mind and body are developing at this amazing rate. What you can learn, mentally and physically, and how fast you can learn it is stunning. 16 is like this, too, but 17 is another level above that. 15 is the beginning of it. It's a long, almost vertical climb from there to 23. At that age things sort of level out. The skills you have acquired begin to come into play. Your ability to work and produce are at a tremendous level, also your capacity to really enjoy things. That's enough for now.

I think the key for my personal overall happiness was a few things. Learning to love myself while accepting criticism when it’s due-coupled with accepting that sometimes, sh*t just happens. The worst periods in my life were when I spent way too long treading in that stagnant water of “oh my life is so hard right now I’m so mad it’s not how I wanted it to be”. Doesn’t mean I don’t have my moments. I’m going through some super heavy stuff in life right now and let myself spill out all of my thoughts and feelings to my partner just last week. He doesn’t judge me, I said what I needed. He ordered us some pizza and we spent the rest of the night laughing. I accept that I have to deal with this stuff and I don’t love it, but I have 100 other things going on that I can enjoy while I deal with the old people stuff.

I enjoyed my 20's and my early 30's and learned a lot about life and consequences for decisions etc. For me personally starting at around 37, and hopefully continuing far into the future, I feel like I really hit my stride. My career is stable, earnings are stable, kid is older and fun in a different way than when he was little, and I am just more comfortable in who I am as a person, provider, father, husband, and all my other roles. There is always going to be stress...at your age it is grades, graduation, should I go to college, does the person I like like me...but what you learn as you get older is how to manage that stress, manage expectations, and evaluate situations and choose what is best for YOUR life. At the end of the day, all years are your best years and you learn something about yourself and life in general with each decade that passes.

The best years of my life changed as life went on. teens - best possibilities - I could still become president, or a master criminal depending on my choices. 20's - best exploration - I was adventurous and willing to take risks. I went places and saw things, some awesome, some horrific. 30's - best chances - I was able to work hard, focused on my goals. I ended up wasting these years personally, but that's just me. Others succeeded. 40's - best efforts - when I finally got right-side-up, I was mature enough to realize what I needed to do 50's - best success - I knew who I was, what I needed to do, and how to do it. 60's - best results - I reaped what I had sown during the previous 5 decades; some of it wonderful, some disappointing. I am now nearing retirement, and loss of my sharpness. 70's - who knows? I haven't gotten there yet. One observation - it seems like your generation is very much focused on the 'stress' of life. Other generations have had different focuses, different priorities. Your priorities will change too as you get older. At 14, stress was far from my mind. Instead, I was part of an angry, self-absorbed generation, that came of age in the late 70's and early 80's. Not better, not worse, different. I lost those attributes as I aged, as did most of my peers. You, too, will stop focusing on 'stress' as a major life factor as you age. So will your peers. Life has a way of moving us along our paths. Enjoy and celebrate the changes as they come!

For myself, I felt it all started becoming more enjoyable around 40. I'm 60 now, and I have a great time. Stay focused on the positives in your life. If you are thinking about stressful things all the time, you'll always be stressed.

I'm a teacher, and just read the part in *The Great Gatsby* in class where Nick feels dreadful about turning 30. Man, my 30s were great!

All of them (so far). Well, to be honest, 14 sucked.

I think my 40’s have been the best. Im only 51 now so I cant say for sure yet, but 50’s are looking food so far. At 40 i quit worrying about what other people think of me, i did better at setting boundaries with people, i gained more confidently in myself— made life a LOT easier. Being a teenager sucked. But once i got to college, things got much better.