I always try to make the current year/time the best one yet, though that isn't always easy. Some times stand out in the past. I really enjoyed my childhood as a whole, and have happy thoughts of being around 10 years old and enjoying life. My mid teens were a bit dark, with less understanding/focus in life. But my later teens became better and when I was 19 I think of it as being one of the best years of my life... 1st year of University, lots of friends, fell in true love for the first time with a childhood friend, all of my large family was home for the summer...just a very happy year, almost perfect. But I've had great times and years since, and this year the summer weather is great, I just bought my first house, life is good.
When you look back on life there are certain things you can't get back. I can't get back the warm feeling of being in my parents' house with bread baking, the big worries of life taken care of and I just have to worry about playing with friends or video games. I miss being 19 and all of my friends being single and childless and all we worried about was hanging out and having drinks on the weekend and getting to the beach and whatever trouble we could get into. I miss potential, the idea that your entire life is ahead of you, nothing set in stone, all options open.
But at the same time, I don't want go back. I don't want to lose my independence. I don't want to go back to being a starving student. I like having my job, my education, my car, and now my house. I miss the empty slate of life potential, and I miss all of my friends being single and carefree but there are new joys now and ahead. It's important to embrace the potential and value of each stage in life.
