Learn English – “In the younger years, early days, early years, and earlier years”

expressionsphrases

I just wanted to express the period from when I was born to my recent days until I realized something.

I initially put "in my earlier years." Then I wasn't sure if the meaning of the phrase that I made communicate precisely as I intended.

So I looked up and got few more similar expressions such as, "my early years", "In my early life", "In my younger and vulnerable years", "in my younger age", etc.

Yet, I sensed all of them insinuate more like a childhood, not necessarily includes, for instance, my few weeks ago until I realized something.

Is there any proper expression or phrase for a such case?

Best Answer

Summary of the comments:

"Until recently/until a few years ago" or "I always used to [think/believe] but recently I ....". It might depend on how old you are now. If you are 87 you would say "All my life I have [believed ]....". But if you are 21 you could say "As I grew up I always [thought]..."
-- Mynamite Aug 20

"for my whole life until recently," conveys what you're after. A slight variation would be, "for most of my life until recently," which I suppose is technically more accurate.
-- G Tony Jacobs Aug 23

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