What has helped change your life the most this past decade?

Ten years ago I was working full time and gallivanting all over the world a couple of times a year to far flung places, then I developed osteoarthritis out of the blue so had to give up my position and haven't travelled for 7 years. I am now recovering from a recent knee replacement and trying to build up my fitness again ( dreading having the other one done as it was a far worse experience than I expected) and am managing to do a bit of work just on a casual basis.

Also, I have 3 grandchildren now which take up a lot of my time (and finances!)

I’ve been online for longer than a decade, thanks to a son who showed me how to do it. It has definitely improved my life.

Both my grandchildren were born in the last decade, and although they haven’t made much practical difference to my life, they certainly alter the way I feel, and are a constant source of interest.

I took early retirement from a high pressure job 10 years ago and was so looking forward to a few years pleasing myself and starting a florist business from home. Then six months later DH had a serious stroke and life certainly changed. All our retirement plans went down the drain and his physical and mental changes have affected our relationship. I also would be lost without technology as most of my time now is spent at home.
So my advice is to enjoy every day to the full as you don't know what's round the corner!

Retiring has been my biggest change .... to be able to do what you want, when you want is wonderful. Not only being able to help with school hols etc with the grandchildren, but also to help my elderly disabled Mum, plus a brother with throat cancer. To have time for “ ladies who lunch” with friends, time for long walks in the countryside where we live but most of all time to travel. I have my bucket list which I am working my way thro slowly but surely. Have already crossed off New Orleans and the Rio Carnival ... next is a South Sea Island Cruise ? none of us know what the future holds so am trying to make the most of every minute.

I think it would have to be the birth of my DGD2 who has cerebral palsy and is a wheelchair user. She is such a happy, determined, kind and contented 8 year old and just accepts uncomplainingly everything that is thrown at her. When my daughter (DGD2’s mum) was seriously ill last year she commented in front of DGD2 that life could sometimes be very unfair. DGD2’s reply was ‘I like life, mummy, nothing bad’s ever happened to me!’.

Having her in our lives has made us stronger and more tolerant people. We’ve learned how to fight our corner and are also far more aware of how difficult some people’s lives are. I’m nowhere near as judgemental as I once was and always try to see both sides of an argument. I’m probably nicer because of her!

My son got full custody of his two children , 4 years ago after years of terrible problems. I took the role of " co-parent", and have been busy every day with school delivery and pick-up, teacher involvement, home responsibilities. Going through the "first period" drama with my grand-daughter was a highlight , ha ha. After 4 years, they have gone from two anxious and damaged children, to being confident and determined to have good lives. I'm a happy co-parent !

Annsixty, I hope H continues to recover from the stroke. Having him home so soon is a good sign. I know if treated quickly they can ensure recovery is pretty good. You must have managed to get him to treatment fast. And coming home soon will be good as regards the dementia. Back in familiar surroundings is best, isn't it. Although things have changed in the last 10 years and life might seem to be shrinking you have still got H, even after the weekend scare, and that is good. Hopefully the dementia will be slow to progress and so mean you can manage things at home for as long as possible.

I do understand about life changing and seeming to shrink as we have health issues that mean we can only go out together for hospital visits now and for me to see grandchildren and family I go alone and think carefully about what I agree to do.

Probably a hobby to retreat into away from stuff like housework, family stuff going on, boredom etc etc. In my case it is photography.

In the past 10 years? Paying off the mortgage so I could afford to give up paid work and enjoy time with my OH without constant financial worries but the biggest change has been moving from Greater London to the East Midlands. That has been all positive and, for the first time in my adult life, I am truly content.

Marriage and divorce (!) Of DD. Both events having financial implications ? Marriages of both DSs and the births of our 4 gorgeous GC. A lot of joy and sadness there already. The death of my father 18 months ago. He was so old that I really began to think he would be here forever. Sadly not! And the retirement of DH. We are trying to make the most of the opportunities we have - we see the children and grandchildren as often as we can,enjoy our friends and do as much travelling as we can manage. This is definitely NOT a dress rehearsal.

Retiring and moving house 13 years ago, has changed everything. I live alone, got my lovely placid Westie from a rescue centre 2 1/2 years ago, live 3 miles from DD, Sil and 3 GDs and 1 mile from the beach. I have a great joy in doing my knitting for charity, baking and cooking for family and friends, could not ask for anything more.

Mine is also not a happy story.
10 years ago I was 70 and we were enjoying retirement, we had a caravan in NWales which we both loved. We did lots of walking nearly everyday.
Then my H started with Alzheimer's, not bad at first and we could still enjoy some aspects of life but had to stop holidays as change of routine upset him too much.
Then last weekend he had a stroke, his mobility is returning, I brought him home after a week as his confusion worsened rapidly, he is agitated but we are coping somehow.
My 80' s don't look much fun, but better than the alternative.

Retiring from teaching and compters. Both life changing.

NOT being in a relationship has changed my life. I make my own decisions and am totally independent. I don't have a wodge of money but my independence is more valuable than anything. It is even more precious now I'm retired, I can do what I want, and if that means spending all day colouring or on my computer, I CAN. ?

I inherited a computer from my father in 1988! I thought at the time 'If he can do it at 81, then so can I' and have ever since.

But the big change in my life has been my daughter's death in 2015, followed by her partner's last year.
Also my diagnosis with late effects of radiotherapy in 1996 last year.

I think I am on the up now as I am getting some therapy help, which is difficult but promising.

In the last decade retirement has been the biggest positive change in my life. I was widowed nearly 10 years ago and my sons left home recently so now on my own for the first time ever and enjoy it. I've seen my 2 DGC grow from babies. I've used computers for years but do spend more and more time online, I don't know what I would do without the internet now.

Being diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer last July has totally changed me in lots of ways. I'm still undergoing some treatment. It has made me more aware that this is My Time, and to say No sometimes. Look after those who look after you, and walk away from Fair Weather friends..

It’s been a really hard 10 years or more with family troubles with my sons family with him taking the brunt of it. BUT by working and helping him he has come through it and is now in a good place (as they say). I wouldn’t have been able to provide all the support I did if I had been working, so I would say retirement every time, love it.

Has to be internet shopping, especially as we moved a few years back to an area where the shop stocks are pretty grim.

I joined the computer age when home computers were first available. I have six grandchildren between 21 years and 2 years. Divorce also changed my life. All these things in a different way. Biggest change I have made to my life personally is probably, at the age of 66, buying a narrow boat last year to live on. Every day our lives change....most we do not notice but they do happen. Enjoy the changes that will happen in your life....embrace them and welcome them. Have a wondrous day today xxx

What has helped change my life most this decade? Retirement! The absolute joy and freedom of chosing what to do and when. No getting up at 6am to drive hundreds of miles on crowded roads to a time deadline. No packing onto commuter trains in the dark with hundreds of people all apparently suffering from heavy colds. No massive stress everytime I open my e-mail and look at the number of messages all asking me to do something complicated and difficult to a tight deadline. Sheer bliss.

Strange ten years... One son moved abroad (10 hours flight away), One son was widdowed and left to raise his son alone (with support from family), lost both my parents. On the plus side I trained for the priesthood and got ordained and am now enjoying that life as a non-stipendiary priest. And son remarried ... and our relationship with our grandson is a real joy. So, mixed ...

Som good times and some bad obviously. During the last 10 years my DH has been diagnosed with cancer, but is doing well. I have lost all of my hair. Plus side - lovely teenage granddaughter doing well and I have a great family.

I second that (flowers) and can but pray that Hope will shine through and replace some of those tears with blessings Anniebach.

anniebach