"The truth is, we all face hardships of some kind, and you never know the struggles a person is going through. Behind every smile, there's a story of a personal struggle." ~ Adrienne C. Moore
Adversity is unavoidable for most people. But our personal struggles change as we age.
As a small child, learning to tie your shoes is a struggle. As an independent adult, making money to pay bills is the predominant struggle.
Reddit user rickyjones75 asked:
"What's your age, and what's the biggest challenge you're currently facing right now?"
32
Julien Photo on Unsplash
"I'm 32. My mom just passed away unexpectedly. She was my best friend and I’m having a hard time adjusting to life without her."
~ chonkycats24
72
iridial on Unsplash
"72, caretaker for my wife who has Alzheimers. Sucks the life out of you."
~ MyDogGoldi
60
NIPYATA! on Unsplash
"I recently turned 60. It was by far my most difficult birthday. For the first time in my life, I am seriously considering my mortality, and I’m having some difficulty accepting that I will be dead sooner rather than later."
"I find myself fantasizing a LOT about going back in time to when I was, say, 10 years old and doing it all over again. What would I do differently?"
"Certainly I would choose a different career path. Would I go to the same college? Would I pursue and eventually win over again my wife?"
"So many forks in the road of life and paths not taken. It’s almost overwhelming."
"I’ve had a fantastic life and few regrets. I try to keep myself in shape. I want to see my grandkids get married."
"I’m not religious and really don’t think there’s anything waiting on the 'other side'."
~ 60sStratLover
54
Daniel Lorentzen on Unsplash
"54. Too old to start over. Too young to retire. Too fat to strip."
~ EnigmaCA
25
Waldemar on Unsplash
"25, currently fighting cancer."
~ TrashLifeLowLife
66
Vicky McLain on Unsplash
"I am 66 and my biggest challenge is accepting that I am 66."
~ scoeyy
44
Adrian Curiel on Unsplash
"I am 44 and my chronological age and what age I feel just keeps getting more disparate."
"I am successful, have a family, all the things one thinks a 44-year-old 'should' do. But I just can’t believe I am 44."
"It’s like someone made a mistake. I feel 33-ish."
"And then I worry, as I get older, do I still feel 33 and just keep aging in the mirror and not on the inside? It’s terrifying to me."
~ InitiativeFormal7571
23
Nick Möllenbeck on Unsplash
"I'm 23. I was fighting a cancer last year."
"I won! Now I struggle with going back to normal life, getting back to school full time."
~ EmieTree
31
Thom Milkovic on Unsplash
"31, making friends. I need to put myself out there more and stop being insecure."
~ CoCo_DC30
33
Illiya Vjestica on Unsplash
"33, just finished college and had a REAL hard time finding a decent job due to lack of experience for my age."
~ TheRiskSeekerd
64
Frugal Flyer on Unsplash
"64 years, spent a total of 35 years in jails and prisons. All of it, on me."
"No education, no savings, yet I'm making ends meet after getting out on a 21 1/2 year sentence for bank robbery."
"So here's the catch—I freaking' cry all the time!"
"Secretly, privately."
"I haven't been on the streets—free— for 3 years in a row since age 13."
~ equiscon
50
Nik on Unsplash
"50, I never actually feel well."
"Between the chronic fatigue syndrome and chronic pain, it's been a long, long time since I had a day where I really felt good/healthy."
~ rosesforthemonsters
33
Flora Mipsum on Unsplash
"33. Purpose in life."
"Single, no kids, no career, no home of my own."
"I feel I’m doomed to work, rent, try to amuse myself and die alone."
~ SirTheadore
30
Johannes W on Unsplash
"30. Trying to acknowledge and live in the moment."
"A younger me would be content, yet here I am thinking I should be doing more."
~ Canuda
28
Shannon Potter on Unsplash
"28, learning that just because you give your everything to other people, that doesnt mean they will do the same."
~ Babyy-Yyodda
How old are you and what struggle are you facing?
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