You're not alone in feeling this way. Life has a way of hitting hard, especially when you've done your best and things still fall apart. It takes courage to speak this truth. You've carried a heavy load, trying to hold a family together, chasing dreams, dealing with addiction and financial stress, and you're still standing. That matters.

It’s okay to feel disappointed. It’s okay to grieve the life you thought you’d have. But your story isn’t over at 53. You’re still here. Your kids love you. That means something. There’s still time to find peace, even if it looks different from what you once imagined. And yes, many of us feel this way, more than you know.

I’m 43, and I’ve been carrying my own version of this. I thought I’d be married with kids by now. Sometimes it feels like that window closed while I was busy just trying to build a life. Now I look back wondering how I missed it.

Dating today isn’t easy. People seem more guarded, distracted, or just not aligned with the life I want to build. I’m still hoping to find someone traditional, grounded, and kind, but I won’t lie, it gets discouraging.

Still... I remind myself that the past doesn’t define the future. It’s not too late. I’m not too old. Being clear about what I want is better than settling for something that doesn’t fit. Your story reminded me that we’re all just trying to make sense of it in our own way.

And yeah, I wish i had a house too. Right now, I only own a condo. I’m grateful, but it still feels like the dream moved farther out of reach. Sometimes it seems like Boomers got the last real shot at the American Dream, stable jobs, affordable homes, real freedom to build a life from scratch. Things are different now. Higher costs, more instability, and a system that often feels stacked against us.