Age of 25 (university, living, military)

[Rubercy]

If you thought your life was over when you hit 30 or 40, then bad news - it may have happened much earlier.
Most people have enjoyed the best memories of their life by the age of 25, according to new research.
A survey of retired people found the life changing highlights etched on their brains happened before they reached age of 25.
It is the first study of its kind to use a ‘naturalistic approach’ by collecting free flowing stories in which participants were asked to narrate their own biographies in just 30 minutes.
A week later they divided these into self defined 'chapters' which revealed a dramatic ‘reminiscence bump’ between 17 and 24-years-old - when many people defined these parts beginning and ending.
Psychologist Kristina Steiner, of the University of New Hampshire in the US, said: 'When people look back over their lives and recount their most important memories, most divide their life stories into chapters defined by important moments that are universal for many: a physical move, attending college, a first job, marriage, military experience, and having children.'
In the study, all the participants were white, and three in four of them had earned at least an undergraduate degree.

[Stoke]

We romanticize those events of our youth and remember them for something a bit better than they actually were. I've had some amazing times in my late 20's but they happened recently so I can't block the bad bits out and exaggerate the good parts. But early 20's and before? Look out! I thought I was a king. And earlier than that I believe I was a god.

I wish I had a time machine so I could do it over again and double check.

[Dakster]

You sound "stoked" about your earlier life.

Thinking about it, it makes sense. Retired people doesn't answer my age group question. I can retire fully at 48 and I fit the other criteria as well. You could also ask my parents/step-parents and they have had more life to live, so chances are something memorable happened in their 50s and I haven't gotten there yet.

[Parsec]

Originally Posted by Rubercy

A survey of retired people found the life changing highlights etched on their brains happened before they reached age of 25.
<snip> and having children.'
In the study, all the participants were white, and three in four of them had earned at least an undergraduate degree.

So most people with an undergraduate degree also manage to have children before the age of 25? I thought most college educated people don't have kids until their late 20's at the EARLIEST.

[intelfan11315]

I did some pretty cool things in my early 20s, but now I'm 26 and living out of the country doing what I love professionally. I cannot complain.