I'm 72 years old. I got interested in meditation and spirituality when I was about 18.  I tried lots of different things and then settled into vipassana about 35 years ago.  For about 20 years I did lots of retreats, going into silence and all day sitting and walking meditation for a week or more.  Now I don't do retreats, but when I retired 10 years ago I got into a good daily practice.  I started going to a local temple every day, which made the discipline easier.  In the last 10 years I have probably meditated 29 days out of every 30, for about 1-3 hours.   

My girlfriend has no interest in meditation.   Yest she is a kinder and happier person than I am. She is more generous, cheerful and loving.

My wife is the same way. Still, even if I'm never going to be a ray of sunshine, I'm much happier than I would be if I hadn't taken up meditation.