I’ve had many wonderful birthdays, but turning 40 has been the best so far. I feel so right in my skin, as if all I have been through over the years has been processed into life lessons that have finally sunk in at the perfect moment. I can see where I’ve been, where I’m going, and find happiness with where I am until then. So believe me, 40 is nothing to be afraid of. Here’s why:
1) You’re Not Afraid of Trying New Things Anymore
Sure, you may temporarily blind yourself in a liquid eyeliner fail, but you may also discover a new talent or inner strength you never knew was in there…such as the strength to Hulk-smash the offending eyeliner into smithereens. Luckily, you’ve had a couple decades’ worth of experience at failing miserably (three cheers for consistency!), and learned how to do so with a smile on your face. You’re now able to find the silver lining and move on to the next adventure without looking back.
2) You Get to Do More of What YOU Want to Do
If you find yourself on a tropical vacation with a long list of outdoor activities and adventures available, but you’d rather tuck away and read in the shade all day? Do it and regret nothing. A perk of getting older is understanding that people-pleasing at your own expense isn’t worth it, so you re-prioritize your own happiness — and order books in bulk.
3) You Enjoy Food WAY More
A digestive switch gets flicked for many of us at this time and limits some of our options. So, we make a point of eating things we enjoy while we still can. Remember that girl who would refuse to eat in front of others? Oh, she’s long gone, so please pass that key lime pie over here right now. Yes, the whole one.
4) You Start Looking More Like You
You don’t have the patience for uncomfortably tight skinny jeans anymore, or putting on shirts that take more than thirty seconds to figure out. Now, you wear clothes and makeup that flatter you and show your own personal style. And you know what? You’ve never looked better.
5) You Have Way More Time to Revisit Your Ol’ Faves
Career, moves, motherhood and busyness can take us away from favorite pastimes. With fewer fears of failure and a better sense of your own priorities, now’s the perfect time to dust off the paint brushes or strap on the rock-climbing harness. Make time to focus on nothing but where you want to go and what you want to do.
6) You Have More Meaningful Friendships
You recognize how valuable your time is, so don’t waste it on people who don’t 100% understand you and adore every weird inch of you. The time for that B.S. is over. Focus on finding those high-quality friendships that really make life feel rich.
7) You’re Past the Most Exhausting Part of Motherhood
Yes, starting a family is wonderful. But having a family with kids old enough to sleep through the night and do chores is EVEN BETTER. Trust me. The sound of your Hoover never sounded so sweet as when someone else — preferably your offspring and/or partner — is running it.
8) You Now Have the Patience — and Energy — to Achieve Your Goals
Whether the goal is focused on your career, on fitness, on getting your home KonMari’d or on simply having fun, you find yourself steadily plotting and plugging away with the confidence that, eventually, it will happen. And it will. By your 40’s, your kids are likely older and more independent, freeing up valuable energy resources and possibly even allowing you to get enough sleep to think straight for the first time in yeaaaarrrs.
9) You Make Those Reading Glasses Look Darn Good
Accepting age gracefully, you pluck the funkiest bifocals from the batch, knowing full well that they’re framing eyes that have seen a lot already. And they definitely don’t want to miss anything yet to come.
Kim Bongiorno is the freelance writer and author behind Let Me Start By Saying. She adores her charmingly loud family, who she pretends to listen to while playing on Facebook and Twitter. If she were less tired, she’d add something super clever to her bio so you’d never forget this moment.
What were some of your fears and realizations about turning 40? Have any friends hit the big 4-0 yet? Share this story with your comments on Facebook or Twitter!
