Your Say Sunday Results: Which years of your life were the happiest?
- Replies 0
Members, this one surprised us a little! 144 took on the task of voting for the happiest years of your life and the winner with 29.2% of votes is… 30s!
With half the votes of the winner, second place goes to 60s and one vote behind in third place is 20s.
Interesting, eh?
Here is the breakdown of votes!
The comments were so fantastic that I compiled them here for easy reading. Shall we take a look?
0-10
‘My early years I grew up on a dairy farm and we made our own fun, playing cubbies with whatever we could find. I found it was a carefree life back then. When it was hot we swam in the creek that bordered our farm. Helping out around the farm with Dad I enjoyed. Didn't lock the house when we went to town to do our shopping. The school had one teacher at school (the headmaster and the teacher). Looking back I think they were some of the best years.’ – @Joyem
‘I chose number ten, up and till the age of twelve I was happy being a farm serf, some of you will think that is a strange situation but I knew nothing different. At the late age of twelve, I was taken by the then authorities and placed in an institution, Salvation Army Boys Home, and treated like a mongrel dog, that’s when my happiness ended.’ – @Coops
‘probably 0 to 10 after that poverty and abuse took over, never really had too much fun always scraping by.’ – @ShannyN
‘Winter as a schoolboy has many memories. Going to school on a wet and windy day consisted of hanging my shoes with socks tucked in, and laces tied together around my neck under strict instructions to put them on in class and take them off at recess or lunch breaks as my brothers and I only had ONE pair of shoes each. So we could jump in puddles etc. Mother also used to ensure I always wore my Macintosh, a waterproof long jacket thing you put over your head with one button to close around your neck and side slits to poke your arms out. We carved boats out of light "Deal" wood and raced them in the gutters. Some local roads were made of gravel, the gutters held gravel mud. We made saucers etc and dried them in the oven on folded yesterday's Paper in the oven of our wood burning stove. AHH! the oven I cannot recall a winter’s day without there being a pot of Soup simmering on the corner of the Stovetop made with Lamb shanks, Lamb necks Lamb Flank and whatever. Always containing Lots of Vegetables. I think mainly Celery tops, Potato, Carrot, Parsnip peelings and more. Absolutely scrumptious and tasty on a Cold day. I can taste it now. Not much waste in our Family.’ – @gordan1940
‘I said 0-10 because my life after that was very traumatic, I won't go into it though, let's just say I was a victim.’ – @Anoush
‘We had freedom that the kids of today would not even be able to conceive of. We could play outside till after dark, go down to the creek to catch tadpoles, sleep out on the back deck on hot nights (that is, until Dad found a funnel web spider climbing the back stairs one night), and generally do what we wanted as long as we caused no harm.’ – @Liag
11-19
‘In the years 9-14 when we moved to South Perth and lived a street away from the river in a State Housing Home, we loved playing in the reeds and building cubby houses, also riding our bikes along the foreshore, it was so safe for us kids to do whatever we wanted to do, as there were only two people in our street that had a car, we could play hopscotch and cricket on the road, we could stay outside and play till 9pm then we had to come inside. If it was hot, we slept outside on the grass. I feel sorry for the children today, they cannot have the joy that we had.’ – @leostar
20s
‘I would have checked from 0 to 60 because in each stage there were great things happening in my life. I eventually went for 20 when I married a beautiful girl/lady and travelled around the world for 13 months. The first 6 weeks of the trip were aboard an ocean liner voyage from Fremantle, around to Brisbane (stops at each capital on the way), across the Pacific, through the Panama Canal, across the Atlantic to the Mediterranean & then roughing it throughout Europe. Returned home via Singapore & sailed back to Freo!’ – @Yeoy
‘I have voted for the 20's because all my children were born in those years. I loved being a mother to them and seeing them grow. Also adopted our daughter in those years too. altogether 4 children unfortunately one has passed away We now have 6 grandchildren and one great granddaughter. WE are in our 80's now and also have had many other happy times.’ – @maggiej
‘20’s. During school, all I wanted to be was a teacher. I studied hard to finish the course in 1984 with very little support emotionally & financially graduating officially in May 1985 to my great delight. After the mandatory health check, we were discouraged to learn it would take many years before we received a placement as the list of available teachers waiting to be employed was extremely long.
So, I decided I would look for a job, any job to support myself in the meantime. In the local paper, I saw the Whale Car Wash advertising for a cashier. I did not have any experience with cash registers as during college I had worked as a waitress at Pizza Hut, however, I was willing to give it a go so boarded the next bus to the site. It was a busy Saturday when I was greeted by the current cashier, a lovely woman who went to enormous lengths to show me the ropes before introducing me to “the boss”. After exchanging a few words to my great surprise he offered me the position which I gladly accepted. While working as a cashier at “The Whale” as they called it, I spied a typewriter in the corner of the office. After gaining permission to use it during my lunch hours, I typed letters to every private school in Sydney to let them know while I was enjoying my time at ‘the whale’ it was a teaching job I really wanted. With all my heart (I did not write that in my application but hopefully my passion came through!). After posting an armful of mail, I forgot about my lunchtime antics over the past week as the chance of receiving a reply (except to acknowledge my efforts) was remote.
One week later, on the way home from the car wash I had one of those unexplainable moments you hear about, where somehow I knew there was an important letter for me waiting in the mailbox. Not imagining what it could be, I ran all the way home until I reached my destination & there it was, an invitation for an interview at a small private school called Claremont in Randwick. After completing the interview I overheard the secretary say to the principal “they are all (all candidates) nice. It’s going to be hard to choose.” Well it just so happened that the principal had a daughter with the same Christian name as me and after marriage the same surname so years later I discovered she had also said to her secretary “ this is too much of a coincidence let’s go with that one”.
The rest is history as they say. From Claremont, I went on to teach at Kambala Girls’ School, St Andrews Cathedral school & Newington College. To say my years at Claremont & Kambala were bliss would be an understatement. I was practically floating. The joy I felt was…well there are no words to describe such happiness. One day in my 20’s I woke up & said to myself ”you are living the dream”. I still have to pinch myself when I think of those days - where one day I was living the ordinary & the next the extraordinary.’ – @Kawi
30s
‘I would have loved multiple choices, I put down 30s as I married. Then I would put down 40s as I became a father twice. Then I would put down 50s as I travelled with my children to adulthood. Then I would put down 60s as my wife and I did a sea change and I retired. Still enjoying the 60s.’ – @214866f
‘Although I had a very happy childhood myself being the youngest of six I put down the 30s. Bringing up my 2 sons, allowing them to have a wonderful childhood and seeing their every step of growing up was my happiest time.’ – @Trixi
‘In my 30s, doing a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce as a mature student, husband, father of two youngsters, Youth Group leader at church and middle manager at work.
Forty plus (pre 38hr week) hours/week at work, 3 nights at uni plus assignment/study time; Friday evenings at Youth groups and Sundays at church. Life was full, always something to keep my focus, and making contributions to Australia on all fronts. Loved it.’ – @Yogi1955
50s
‘I've had many happy memories but I say in my 50s ( 61 now ) when I realised what a good job I did raising my 13 children. Seeing what beautiful adults they have become. Yes, one or two were naughty teenagers but even they grew into amazing adults. I believe they are my rewards in life as are my grandchildren. I look forward to the next part of my life spending days with them.’ – @Suzanne rose
‘I said my 50's. After 2 failed marriages I discovered my life was far better this way. I have my 4 children. The last 18 years have been the best.’ – @Mary1955
‘50s the best years. The kids were off our hands and we had time to travel in our van.’ – @Wattos1944
‘In my fifties, my wife and I started our 13-year trip around Australia as working nomads. Best 13 years EVER.’ – @Malcolm Rowan
60s
‘I’m 69, as is my husband. Our overall health is 7-10 and we have enough money to do the things we like to do and we are far from rich… we are blessed to have healthy children and grandchildren. What more could we possibly want?’ – @Shirlgirl
‘Whilst childhood has soooo many happy times, l have said 60's as finishing work and travelling around the big block for three years was fantastic. Not long enough, l would love to do it again but a couple of leg accidents prevent it. Anyone who has the chance should do it. We have a fantastic country and you meet the nicest people on the road.’ – @Mistydolphin1
‘I voted for the decade I'm currently in. Just hope my life makes me happier. Like most of us, I've had my struggles and adventures and been graced in many ways. Very grateful to be living in my 60's. Grateful to the surgical team, as I'm recovering from recent prostate surgery. Though many people haven't made it, including my mum who passed in her 40's. I truly wish everyone health, happiness and the insight to live in the present.’ – @Baz1960
‘I picked the 60s because mainly we owned our home had no debts and had raised a couple of fantastic kids had 6 grandchildren and became Great Grandparents for the first time ----we also became Grey Nomads and travelled around Australia for the next 22 years visiting family who now lived in every state except for the NT – but I do miss the Sunday roasts at Mum and Dads when the whole family got together. Unfortunately when Dad passed away and the shipyards took their home that all ended. Sadly those days are long gone.’ – @Joy G
‘I chose now, my 60's. Although I did have some good times as a child and a teen, a lot of it was overshadowed by abuse. I lived with an undiagnosed mental illness until my mid 40's. Being diagnosed, counselled and medicated didn't make things better overnight. The doctor had to tweak the medications a few times before finding the perfect combo for me. Now I'm in my 60's and feel much more balanced and settled in my life. I lost some loved ones over the years but found this a lot easier to handle than I would have before I was medicated, diagnosed and counselled. I actually don't mind technology. I use it to my advantage. I find it's a good way to stay connected with friends and family from all over.’ – @Zelda333
70s
‘I picked the 70's but I have had such a wonderful life sure there have been hard times and mistakes (I've made a few) but the very best year of my life has been this last one at 76 this time last year I found my Birth sibling all twelve of them and even got to meet some of them in June and have spoken to many of the others. The thing that I cherish most is that I got to speak to my eldest brother before he passed away on Friday.’ – @Freeman27
‘Yes, also waiting for that happy stage. I put 70's but turn 65 this year.’ – @debjoel21
80s
‘I voted 80 even though I’m 71 Yet to find a happy stage in my life. Hoping by 80 I find one’ – @Thedockernator
And lastly
While these comments didn’t clarify the time they voted for, they offer valuable insight into what can make or break happiness.
‘I’ve been happiest in the last 8 years since I walked out of a 46-year marriage…’ –@Jannipoo
‘We were happiest before our son passed away in May last year, since then we’re just a shell of ourselves going through the motions really. His children and our daughter’s son do bring us joy and we are so very grateful for them. Plus our remaining two children.’ – @Janiced53
‘The chickens had flown the coop and my rooster and I were travelling, having a wonderful time.’ – @constance
‘What if there were no years in my life that were happy? Seeing the parameters are in decades, I have to say never.
There may have been moments of happiness, but they were fleeting. Abusive parents, abusive carers, institutional homes and paedophiles for most of the first two decades. Living with chronic depressive illness and anxiety for the last five decades has not left me with much to be happy about. I am alone. I am physically and socially isolated. Any remaining family is out of reach or out of touch. Any friends I have had have gone. The one woman I ever trusted and loved, the one person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with, died. No, there have been no years in my life that were happiest.’ – @RobD
‘You can't choose. There are ups and downs at every age throughout life whether you are happily married or not. So choose now. You are alive, you got out of bed this morning, you had something to eat, the sun is shining somewhere, you have enough to live on and you have a roof over your head. What else do you want? You have all you need! Remember those who don't and be happy.’ – @Alexander
‘I had to wait 40 years before I could return to Australia. I wish I had applied for citizenship then! These current years are the happiest I have ever known in my entire life.’ – @HappyPam
‘My formative years were spent in England during WWII with nightly air-raids, blackouts, masks and bombings. Being a sickly child I was evacuated into the country and visits from mum were rare as dad was fighting and she was raising two other siblings one year older than me and one younger,. The years after the war were poverty stricken - we had powdered potatoes (POM) powdered eggs powdered milk and no fresh fruit. We all had ration books - 2 ozs of sweets per week for children. When we left school and found a job our wages were handed to mum and dad for the general upkeep of our rented home - I got 5 shilling a week pocket money. Only when I got engaged was I allowed to keep my wage and save for a deposit on a house. However, we emigrated to Melbourne and that was the best Ten Pound ever spent. I think my war experiences and deprivations gave me an inner determination to improve my life and that of my children. Those were the best years - building our first home and raising three beautiful Aussies. I was blessed to have two wonderful soulmates over the last 65 years - both leaving me bereft at their loss, having also lost all my family in England. Last year my son also passed away during COVID, and I grieve for my losses every day. I have plenty of time as Iive alone, eat alone and many days do not speak to a soul. I envy my friends who still have their partners… I was so lucky to have been loved but the loneliness of the past 17 years has been crippling as I am a very shy person. So, at the end, I am again wearing a mask, keeping lights low and being frugal - just like in the beginning.....’ – @IamJane
‘As other people have said, it’s hard to pick an era which was best for me. There were good and bad in most eras. 60s onwards, retiring, and having wonderful grandchildren (three beautiful girls) came into our lives. Downside of getting old is that health is not the best. Overall we keep going and enjoy life. When in our mid 30s we came to Australia, now that was a great idea, that worked out very well.’ – @Harro1948
‘I could not choose a decade. Every decade has been wonderful, and every decade has had its challenges. I started to list the good and the bad, but the story was too long. In short, we are now in our 70s, reasonably healthy, debt free. We have great children and grandchildren, and cheap medicine when we need it. We can't ask for more.’ – @joshram
‘I always tried to enjoy life but was always up against the clock. I still have nightmares of being hours late for work, which never actually happened.
Waking each day and knowing that every minute is mine to spend is the best feeling ever.’ – @RTS
‘We are Grey Nomads. Every day is a new adventure. We have been on the road now 13 years and make the most of every day. We have been married 50 years. Lived on three continents are best friends. Each day we wake up is the best day of our life.’ – @Caravan2022
If you’re still reading, congratulations! Did you need a cuppa refill halfway through?
Thank you to everyone who voted and shared their story. It’s an absolute honour to be given insight into your lives. Now, I do want to highlight that there are some tough times mentioned, whether in the past or present. Members, if you need support please check out this list of useful free helplines that can help. You are never alone and our inbox is also always open.
With love,
The SDC team
With half the votes of the winner, second place goes to 60s and one vote behind in third place is 20s.
Image Credit: Shutterstock
Interesting, eh?
Here is the breakdown of votes!
The results are in! Image Credit: SDC
The comments were so fantastic that I compiled them here for easy reading. Shall we take a look?
Credit: Shutterstock
0-10
‘My early years I grew up on a dairy farm and we made our own fun, playing cubbies with whatever we could find. I found it was a carefree life back then. When it was hot we swam in the creek that bordered our farm. Helping out around the farm with Dad I enjoyed. Didn't lock the house when we went to town to do our shopping. The school had one teacher at school (the headmaster and the teacher). Looking back I think they were some of the best years.’ – @Joyem
‘I chose number ten, up and till the age of twelve I was happy being a farm serf, some of you will think that is a strange situation but I knew nothing different. At the late age of twelve, I was taken by the then authorities and placed in an institution, Salvation Army Boys Home, and treated like a mongrel dog, that’s when my happiness ended.’ – @Coops
‘probably 0 to 10 after that poverty and abuse took over, never really had too much fun always scraping by.’ – @ShannyN
‘Winter as a schoolboy has many memories. Going to school on a wet and windy day consisted of hanging my shoes with socks tucked in, and laces tied together around my neck under strict instructions to put them on in class and take them off at recess or lunch breaks as my brothers and I only had ONE pair of shoes each. So we could jump in puddles etc. Mother also used to ensure I always wore my Macintosh, a waterproof long jacket thing you put over your head with one button to close around your neck and side slits to poke your arms out. We carved boats out of light "Deal" wood and raced them in the gutters. Some local roads were made of gravel, the gutters held gravel mud. We made saucers etc and dried them in the oven on folded yesterday's Paper in the oven of our wood burning stove. AHH! the oven I cannot recall a winter’s day without there being a pot of Soup simmering on the corner of the Stovetop made with Lamb shanks, Lamb necks Lamb Flank and whatever. Always containing Lots of Vegetables. I think mainly Celery tops, Potato, Carrot, Parsnip peelings and more. Absolutely scrumptious and tasty on a Cold day. I can taste it now. Not much waste in our Family.’ – @gordan1940
‘I said 0-10 because my life after that was very traumatic, I won't go into it though, let's just say I was a victim.’ – @Anoush
‘We had freedom that the kids of today would not even be able to conceive of. We could play outside till after dark, go down to the creek to catch tadpoles, sleep out on the back deck on hot nights (that is, until Dad found a funnel web spider climbing the back stairs one night), and generally do what we wanted as long as we caused no harm.’ – @Liag
Credit: Shutterstock
11-19
‘In the years 9-14 when we moved to South Perth and lived a street away from the river in a State Housing Home, we loved playing in the reeds and building cubby houses, also riding our bikes along the foreshore, it was so safe for us kids to do whatever we wanted to do, as there were only two people in our street that had a car, we could play hopscotch and cricket on the road, we could stay outside and play till 9pm then we had to come inside. If it was hot, we slept outside on the grass. I feel sorry for the children today, they cannot have the joy that we had.’ – @leostar
Credit: Shutterstock
20s
‘I would have checked from 0 to 60 because in each stage there were great things happening in my life. I eventually went for 20 when I married a beautiful girl/lady and travelled around the world for 13 months. The first 6 weeks of the trip were aboard an ocean liner voyage from Fremantle, around to Brisbane (stops at each capital on the way), across the Pacific, through the Panama Canal, across the Atlantic to the Mediterranean & then roughing it throughout Europe. Returned home via Singapore & sailed back to Freo!’ – @Yeoy
‘I have voted for the 20's because all my children were born in those years. I loved being a mother to them and seeing them grow. Also adopted our daughter in those years too. altogether 4 children unfortunately one has passed away We now have 6 grandchildren and one great granddaughter. WE are in our 80's now and also have had many other happy times.’ – @maggiej
‘20’s. During school, all I wanted to be was a teacher. I studied hard to finish the course in 1984 with very little support emotionally & financially graduating officially in May 1985 to my great delight. After the mandatory health check, we were discouraged to learn it would take many years before we received a placement as the list of available teachers waiting to be employed was extremely long.
So, I decided I would look for a job, any job to support myself in the meantime. In the local paper, I saw the Whale Car Wash advertising for a cashier. I did not have any experience with cash registers as during college I had worked as a waitress at Pizza Hut, however, I was willing to give it a go so boarded the next bus to the site. It was a busy Saturday when I was greeted by the current cashier, a lovely woman who went to enormous lengths to show me the ropes before introducing me to “the boss”. After exchanging a few words to my great surprise he offered me the position which I gladly accepted. While working as a cashier at “The Whale” as they called it, I spied a typewriter in the corner of the office. After gaining permission to use it during my lunch hours, I typed letters to every private school in Sydney to let them know while I was enjoying my time at ‘the whale’ it was a teaching job I really wanted. With all my heart (I did not write that in my application but hopefully my passion came through!). After posting an armful of mail, I forgot about my lunchtime antics over the past week as the chance of receiving a reply (except to acknowledge my efforts) was remote.
One week later, on the way home from the car wash I had one of those unexplainable moments you hear about, where somehow I knew there was an important letter for me waiting in the mailbox. Not imagining what it could be, I ran all the way home until I reached my destination & there it was, an invitation for an interview at a small private school called Claremont in Randwick. After completing the interview I overheard the secretary say to the principal “they are all (all candidates) nice. It’s going to be hard to choose.” Well it just so happened that the principal had a daughter with the same Christian name as me and after marriage the same surname so years later I discovered she had also said to her secretary “ this is too much of a coincidence let’s go with that one”.
The rest is history as they say. From Claremont, I went on to teach at Kambala Girls’ School, St Andrews Cathedral school & Newington College. To say my years at Claremont & Kambala were bliss would be an understatement. I was practically floating. The joy I felt was…well there are no words to describe such happiness. One day in my 20’s I woke up & said to myself ”you are living the dream”. I still have to pinch myself when I think of those days - where one day I was living the ordinary & the next the extraordinary.’ – @Kawi
Credit: Shutterstock
30s
‘I would have loved multiple choices, I put down 30s as I married. Then I would put down 40s as I became a father twice. Then I would put down 50s as I travelled with my children to adulthood. Then I would put down 60s as my wife and I did a sea change and I retired. Still enjoying the 60s.’ – @214866f
‘Although I had a very happy childhood myself being the youngest of six I put down the 30s. Bringing up my 2 sons, allowing them to have a wonderful childhood and seeing their every step of growing up was my happiest time.’ – @Trixi
‘In my 30s, doing a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce as a mature student, husband, father of two youngsters, Youth Group leader at church and middle manager at work.
Forty plus (pre 38hr week) hours/week at work, 3 nights at uni plus assignment/study time; Friday evenings at Youth groups and Sundays at church. Life was full, always something to keep my focus, and making contributions to Australia on all fronts. Loved it.’ – @Yogi1955
Credit: Shutterstock
50s
‘I've had many happy memories but I say in my 50s ( 61 now ) when I realised what a good job I did raising my 13 children. Seeing what beautiful adults they have become. Yes, one or two were naughty teenagers but even they grew into amazing adults. I believe they are my rewards in life as are my grandchildren. I look forward to the next part of my life spending days with them.’ – @Suzanne rose
‘I said my 50's. After 2 failed marriages I discovered my life was far better this way. I have my 4 children. The last 18 years have been the best.’ – @Mary1955
‘50s the best years. The kids were off our hands and we had time to travel in our van.’ – @Wattos1944
‘In my fifties, my wife and I started our 13-year trip around Australia as working nomads. Best 13 years EVER.’ – @Malcolm Rowan
Credit: Shutterstock
60s
‘I’m 69, as is my husband. Our overall health is 7-10 and we have enough money to do the things we like to do and we are far from rich… we are blessed to have healthy children and grandchildren. What more could we possibly want?’ – @Shirlgirl
‘Whilst childhood has soooo many happy times, l have said 60's as finishing work and travelling around the big block for three years was fantastic. Not long enough, l would love to do it again but a couple of leg accidents prevent it. Anyone who has the chance should do it. We have a fantastic country and you meet the nicest people on the road.’ – @Mistydolphin1
‘I voted for the decade I'm currently in. Just hope my life makes me happier. Like most of us, I've had my struggles and adventures and been graced in many ways. Very grateful to be living in my 60's. Grateful to the surgical team, as I'm recovering from recent prostate surgery. Though many people haven't made it, including my mum who passed in her 40's. I truly wish everyone health, happiness and the insight to live in the present.’ – @Baz1960
‘I picked the 60s because mainly we owned our home had no debts and had raised a couple of fantastic kids had 6 grandchildren and became Great Grandparents for the first time ----we also became Grey Nomads and travelled around Australia for the next 22 years visiting family who now lived in every state except for the NT – but I do miss the Sunday roasts at Mum and Dads when the whole family got together. Unfortunately when Dad passed away and the shipyards took their home that all ended. Sadly those days are long gone.’ – @Joy G
‘I chose now, my 60's. Although I did have some good times as a child and a teen, a lot of it was overshadowed by abuse. I lived with an undiagnosed mental illness until my mid 40's. Being diagnosed, counselled and medicated didn't make things better overnight. The doctor had to tweak the medications a few times before finding the perfect combo for me. Now I'm in my 60's and feel much more balanced and settled in my life. I lost some loved ones over the years but found this a lot easier to handle than I would have before I was medicated, diagnosed and counselled. I actually don't mind technology. I use it to my advantage. I find it's a good way to stay connected with friends and family from all over.’ – @Zelda333
Credit: Shutterstock
70s
‘I picked the 70's but I have had such a wonderful life sure there have been hard times and mistakes (I've made a few) but the very best year of my life has been this last one at 76 this time last year I found my Birth sibling all twelve of them and even got to meet some of them in June and have spoken to many of the others. The thing that I cherish most is that I got to speak to my eldest brother before he passed away on Friday.’ – @Freeman27
‘Yes, also waiting for that happy stage. I put 70's but turn 65 this year.’ – @debjoel21
Credit: Shutterstock
80s
‘I voted 80 even though I’m 71 Yet to find a happy stage in my life. Hoping by 80 I find one’ – @Thedockernator
And lastly
While these comments didn’t clarify the time they voted for, they offer valuable insight into what can make or break happiness.
‘I’ve been happiest in the last 8 years since I walked out of a 46-year marriage…’ –@Jannipoo
‘We were happiest before our son passed away in May last year, since then we’re just a shell of ourselves going through the motions really. His children and our daughter’s son do bring us joy and we are so very grateful for them. Plus our remaining two children.’ – @Janiced53
‘The chickens had flown the coop and my rooster and I were travelling, having a wonderful time.’ – @constance
‘What if there were no years in my life that were happy? Seeing the parameters are in decades, I have to say never.
There may have been moments of happiness, but they were fleeting. Abusive parents, abusive carers, institutional homes and paedophiles for most of the first two decades. Living with chronic depressive illness and anxiety for the last five decades has not left me with much to be happy about. I am alone. I am physically and socially isolated. Any remaining family is out of reach or out of touch. Any friends I have had have gone. The one woman I ever trusted and loved, the one person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with, died. No, there have been no years in my life that were happiest.’ – @RobD
‘You can't choose. There are ups and downs at every age throughout life whether you are happily married or not. So choose now. You are alive, you got out of bed this morning, you had something to eat, the sun is shining somewhere, you have enough to live on and you have a roof over your head. What else do you want? You have all you need! Remember those who don't and be happy.’ – @Alexander
‘I had to wait 40 years before I could return to Australia. I wish I had applied for citizenship then! These current years are the happiest I have ever known in my entire life.’ – @HappyPam
‘My formative years were spent in England during WWII with nightly air-raids, blackouts, masks and bombings. Being a sickly child I was evacuated into the country and visits from mum were rare as dad was fighting and she was raising two other siblings one year older than me and one younger,. The years after the war were poverty stricken - we had powdered potatoes (POM) powdered eggs powdered milk and no fresh fruit. We all had ration books - 2 ozs of sweets per week for children. When we left school and found a job our wages were handed to mum and dad for the general upkeep of our rented home - I got 5 shilling a week pocket money. Only when I got engaged was I allowed to keep my wage and save for a deposit on a house. However, we emigrated to Melbourne and that was the best Ten Pound ever spent. I think my war experiences and deprivations gave me an inner determination to improve my life and that of my children. Those were the best years - building our first home and raising three beautiful Aussies. I was blessed to have two wonderful soulmates over the last 65 years - both leaving me bereft at their loss, having also lost all my family in England. Last year my son also passed away during COVID, and I grieve for my losses every day. I have plenty of time as Iive alone, eat alone and many days do not speak to a soul. I envy my friends who still have their partners… I was so lucky to have been loved but the loneliness of the past 17 years has been crippling as I am a very shy person. So, at the end, I am again wearing a mask, keeping lights low and being frugal - just like in the beginning.....’ – @IamJane
‘As other people have said, it’s hard to pick an era which was best for me. There were good and bad in most eras. 60s onwards, retiring, and having wonderful grandchildren (three beautiful girls) came into our lives. Downside of getting old is that health is not the best. Overall we keep going and enjoy life. When in our mid 30s we came to Australia, now that was a great idea, that worked out very well.’ – @Harro1948
‘I could not choose a decade. Every decade has been wonderful, and every decade has had its challenges. I started to list the good and the bad, but the story was too long. In short, we are now in our 70s, reasonably healthy, debt free. We have great children and grandchildren, and cheap medicine when we need it. We can't ask for more.’ – @joshram
‘I always tried to enjoy life but was always up against the clock. I still have nightmares of being hours late for work, which never actually happened.
Waking each day and knowing that every minute is mine to spend is the best feeling ever.’ – @RTS
‘We are Grey Nomads. Every day is a new adventure. We have been on the road now 13 years and make the most of every day. We have been married 50 years. Lived on three continents are best friends. Each day we wake up is the best day of our life.’ – @Caravan2022
If you’re still reading, congratulations! Did you need a cuppa refill halfway through?
Thank you to everyone who voted and shared their story. It’s an absolute honour to be given insight into your lives. Now, I do want to highlight that there are some tough times mentioned, whether in the past or present. Members, if you need support please check out this list of useful free helplines that can help. You are never alone and our inbox is also always open.
With love,
The SDC team
