At 26, I had just finally started to get my life on track. I divorced my emotionally abusive husband, got some of my self-esteem back, and found new love when I least expected it. I still had a long way to go. Now I'm 29, and my true love and I have been together for three years, married for two. We've got full custody of his two kids from his first marriage (girl, 6, and boy, 5), and we have a two-year-old girl and two-month-old boy of ours. I got back into school last year, as well as getting into a job that is much better suited to me and allows me to be home when the older two get out of school each day.
Believe me when I say I never imagined that it would take until I'm almost 30 to truly get my shit straight. The best advice I can offer is to look at what you truly want from life, and start taking small steps to get there. It's okay that you're still living with your parents; more young adults are doing so these days for one reason or another.

At 26 I was completely miserable. BUT my life hadn't even begun and I was making some serious decisions that would alter the way the rest of life would go. I'm glad I did what I did.

hey I'm 31 years old still have nothing, and am not where I wanted to be. 26 is still young so don't give up hope yet.

I had to give up my dream, you have no idea what that has done to me. The only thing keeping me going is my children if it wasn't for them I'm sure I'd be dead some where.

I had a wife and 2 children 2 houses,worked 65 hours a week.2 new cars in the driveway and living the American dream while slowly dying inside.Not everything is as it appears and material achievements will never bring happiness but a nice car sure beats the hell out of walking.

Reminisce at 26,that's rich,you need to get a little older before you start to reminisce. Just enjoy your youth the days of looking back will get here before you know it,chill out and take the ride.

I had undiagnosed bp so Ihad just graduated college at 26. I didn't get the dx until I was 35. I'm just getting stable at 49. We all go at our own rate. Numbers mean nothing. Don't sweat it. Personally, I never wanted kids. So that is not an issue for me. I think the Lord planned it that way. I feel like I'm just starting out. I'm a late bloomer some would say. It's all ok. If everyone had the same life it would be a very boring world.

I'm 26. I've got the husband and the house and the car, but apart from that I have achieved absolutely nothing.

life is not a race be kind to yourself about this some people get what they want when they want it but it does not mean life is always happy or stable even for them. lts about being happy and well enough to do the best you can it may mean adjusting some life goals but goals are adjustable that is the great point of life.

lf l was lucky enough to get what l wanted l would be earning a great deal more have children and a husband plus working a high pressured job working hard on my career. I don't have any of those goals but l am happy working towards being content in my work life, l know when you feel robbed of your dreams it hurts but please don't think its the end it is unfair but you'll get to where you need to be to be happy

At 26 l was in my final year of college working towards university, my fiancee had cheated, l'd kicked him out and he'd left me in debt causing my bp....undiagnosed....to start in a major way. I'm so much happier now and l'm no where near being 26 any more, give yourself some time.

I can relate to you partly..I am also 26 with no job, and moved back in with my mum over the summer as I got ill and didnt like where I was living.

I too feel like I should have done more by now..I done alot of vol.work, but the fact ive never had a paid job really gets to me. However I think maybe the less I stress about my situation..then just maybe things will start fitting in to place and come naturally.

Sometimes I think im way too old for my age..but as people have mentioned..26 is young and you have the rest of your life to get the things you want x

Getting divirced, having to sell my first house which I trully loved, drinking all day long, smoking pot, sleeping maybe 2 hours a night, risking my job by calling in all the time. Had a loving friend, that would later become my wife, but at that time I treated her like crap cause I was too busy hating life and everything around me. Burning cigeretts into my chest and well you get the idea. It was a very dark time in my life, but it did get better despite my belief that my life was coming to an end.

At 26 my life was spiraling out of control. Now today as I turn 29, I'm seeing a psychiatrist regularly, taking my meds every day, and while my life is better it's still not what I want it to be. I'm in more control of my mental health, and stuff like that but I still haven't graduated college, haven't been able to find a job for the last 11 months... but I'm better then I was so that's more important!! :)

At 26 ,I was in the highs of a lengthy hypomanic episode.
I had a fantastic job,I was hypersexxual,I was delusional...I was Queen of the Universe.....it eventually all unravels .

I suggest you learn as much about BP as you can,our lives cycle around this disease

Sometimes up,sometimes down

26 is still pretty young. You have time to get there, don't worry.
At 26 I was working 3 jobs and hating life. I was in debt and living with a roommate I disliked. I was also unmedicated and a total mess.

Ugh. My post got completely deleted.

26 - I was in a great place. Job, fiance, first apartment with said fiance. I was working in software support making decent money.

30 - Cannot get preggers, moved back into the 1st floor apartment of my mom's house, working in retail, still married happily. I have a lot more than most, but it's not a cakewalk.

26 was a really good age for me, but it's also when I hurt my back and began to get really angry and depressed. Wish I could go back to pre-back injury times. SIGH. Hope your life comes together for you soon. Never give up. xox