No kids here either, and though I get the biological determinism and evolutionist view that that's what we're here for, from an individualistic perspective I'm not, never have been, and never wanted to either (and yes lots of pressure to conform and have a few, but deftly resisted). I'm 47, and have just started out as an undergrad. I've had 25 years of teaching (paragraphs was not one of my subjects) and working for NGOs and not for profits, (and have achieved a fair amount whilst doing that - for others as well as for myself, I know the universe is not about me) and it felt like I was about half way through my adult life and time for a change. So, I'm doing what I'm doing - working ten hours a week for a small charity, working about fifteen hours a week on being a student, working some hours a week on being a fun partner to my very nice husband, relating to my mates both near and far, and generally doing bushcraft and craft stuff for the rest of the time. No biggy. I don't think I 'earned it' I could have spent 25 years chilling and that would be OK - I don't think there's someone keeping an account - except maybe me. I met a guy recently who spends his time woofing and couch surfing, does a bit of English teaching and volunteering and travelling. When money gets tight he gardens or does fruit picking. One of his friends described him as all at sea and directionless, but I'm going with the hobbit thing 'not all who wander are lost' as when I asked he said he was immensely happy.
If you don't have kids it means you have wisely avoided the trap
We're all here to breed and raise young, everything else is just to make the passing of time
Everyone with kids tells me that, and I have to admit, my brothers have got plenty for all of us! One afternoon with the little nippers and Im exhausted I dont know how they do it.
I think just to accept that youre probably never going to have kids though, is quite a massive thing to cope with.
Oh well, Ive got the dog!
I'm a tad unusual as I find great comfort in atheism, the belief that this isn't a dress rehersal it's show night so enjoy what you're doing and make sure plenty of other people enjoy it with you too.
It's how it was put to me by a great man, a valued mentor and teacher and a dear friend who I miss greatly. But he was absolutely right! Mind you it's easy to say personal achivments matter as much when you have a university building named after you either way I think there's a truth in it somewhereI totally identify, Mick! What a nice way to put it
Without wanting to bore anyone, [again!] Its because I got hit with an illness, and instead of looking forward as I always did, my options became severely restricted, and you suddenly start to look backwards instead, and then suddenly regrets hit you, and rise like Panic attacks.
Yes, that makes me sound like Im cuckoo. Its just now and again though things hit you like a wall of bricks. Oh well. The girl you should have settled down with etc.. the one that you let get away....
We've all got our own demons to struggle with I guess. .....