yes i felt that way for a while. and then life showed me different i thought,now i am back where i was.. but i am 53 , and that is really old, and past anyones thoughts of youth..

Yes!

Exercise, painting my toenails, lots of time pampering and *ahem* grooming myself....gonna' be the best 40-year-old me I can!

Besides, those young girls don't know anything....

Seriously, though....the more I exercise, the better I feel....and I am not a jock....Lifting weights and getting stronger makes me feel WAY better, and I do enough walking to keep fit. I climb the stairs at my apartment building whenever I get the chance....It makes my mood a lot better, and my butt a lot tighter!

Good luck, sweetie!

I don't think about the marriage consuming my youth so much as that it is so hard to start all over again at my age. I am 58 1/2 today, so count your blessings that you are 40, which I would consider to be a big improvement.... Sometimes I look at these politicians and I see these people who are way older than me racing around the country enthusiastically campaigning or taking on new intense positions, and I realize that my energy (or lack of) is really because of my state of mind. Really, 40 is just barely out of your 30's, and the 30's are a time of great vitality. I think you are just in a slump, and as you heal you will feel much better.

Hey KD... I was married later at 28 so I had lived my youth & sowed my wild oats.. for me, it was being terrified of the whole singles scene once again. But it hasn't been so bad & I've actually enjoyed myself for the most part. I've gone back to school & am starting a brand new career & I feel blessed to be where I'm at in life & that I've figured myself out for me instead of living for someone else for the first time in my life.
The best part is that I know I will never settle again for being treated with less love, romance & respect as I have in the past because I thought I was soooo "lucky" to have him.. in hind sight, he was the lucky one.

i turn 35 soon and was with my stbx for 10 years, i sometimes think i gave up a lot of my life being with her but then realise that was life and i enjoyed most if not all of it until recently, i wouldn't change it.

My marriage did consume my youth and that's okay. That doesn't mean I have to stop living or loving.

I think getting your mojo back is different for everyone. It's been 15 months since I was first separated and it's only been the last month or so since I started to feel like I want get out there and start mingling again.

I am soooo much better off without him...........being without him helps. I AM happier even though some days I am low but I think that is just life. Ups and downs, that is life. Everyone is different with their healing but for me it has been 3 yrs since he left and probably the first 2 yrs were the hardest. But slowly but shirley the real me is coming back......and guess what? She is awesome!!!

Hugs to ya girl.....

Another "oldie" weighing in - I'm almost 59 and was with my husband since I was l6 - dating, then engaged, then married at 22. Yes, I gave up my youth and a lot more, but I got a terrific son from it. I don't regret the time except I wonder whether or not I'll ever have another love in my life. Don't think it's likely.

Lynne

Most people tend to date people around the same age as them...

Another oldie but goodie weighing in. I feel better at 56 than I felt at 35. It has something to do with not walking on egg shells anymore, with being in a loving environment and taking my life back. Life is what you make of it, every single day. I count up all those years as making me what I am now, and I am content with where I am. I do want someone to spend time with , and am hopeful that might happen for me one day, but I am enjoying this time alone more than I can say. Hugs, Kimmee

I just turned 50 in Feb (he didn't even come to my birthday party). A month later he told me he was screwing someone else. After 29 years with this man, YES I do feel like I lost my youth to that fucktard. I'm scared to death to start over - not that I'm even thinking about that now, but I'm hoping it will happen again. Actually I'm looking forward to it! I'm not gonna let all those wasted years get to me!

Kd...look at yourself thru your souls eyes and see the beauty of your being...then say this...I'm Foxy Cleopatra and I'M A WHOLE LOTTA WOMAN!

You'll get it back. Your age has nothing to do with your joy - There's no cut off for experiencing life. Been to Tuscany? Ever been sky diving? How about painting a crazy mural on your wall, if you want to start slowly? Get busy girl - you still have LOTS to do!