There’s no question, getting older can be a little uncomfortable.
We all remember turning 18, turning 25, turning 30 and feeling super excited, but also kind of freaked out about not only how far we’d come, but also how much more we needed to accomplish in our lives. Milestones are major moments for reflection, and turning 40 is probably one of the biggies. I am days away from turning that big corner myself and to be totally honest with you… I’m not sure how I really feel about the whole mess.
Between cramming for exams,writing essays, staying up to way too late and living off of cold pizza I was enjoying all the perks of “being on my own”. There was a lot of growing up a lot those first years. But,I had to. C.A.L.M {career and life management} class did little to prepare me for real life and I still struggle trying to understand why they wasted our time in the first place.
I became a mother just after I turned 20 to my oldest daughter. Somehow I managed to pull it all together. I dragged her with me to college and juggled nursing her while scribbling notes in class. I managed to not only graduate but find a job that supported both of us. I won’t say it was easy because it wasn’t. It was hard, dang hard. But it helped shape the woman that I am now.
Life got in the way and I made one of the hardest and best decisions of our life and we pulled up roots. We moved clear across the province looking for a fresh new start and we ended up with so much more.
I met, fell in love and married my husband. We welcomed our son & life was good. I became Christian and a youth leader. We bought a house and moved again.
I spent most of my 30’s saying yes to almost everything because how will I know I’ll like it if I don’t try it. . But by 39-ish, I’ve already tried it all: cigarettes, hot yoga, at-home hair colour, girls weekend to Vegas, needling, juicing, kale chips, Hawaiian cruises and face masks made of unidentifiable yet somehow still “good for you products” (I don’t care what you say; you will never convince me that’s not snake venom.) I know what I like — and what I don’t.
We welcomed two more daughters into our family and unfortunately had to say goodbye when I had two back to back miscarriages. I honestly never thought I would ever have a baby in an elevator but my third born had other plans. My oldest graduated high school and started university. I have two little ones in elementary school {3&4} and one still at home. There will be no more babies but honestly, I am ok with that.
You have already accomplished so much. I will be 60 soon and I think that as I got older, I got more relaxed. There are so many things that I realize are just not worth my time and effort or stress. Now that my daughter is older I find more time for myself and I also enjoy her as my friend and not just my child YOu have a lot to look forward to!
I’m not really sure what it means either, it could be because most people have their children so early in life that it really does kind of begin at 40 because you are finally (come on basically we’ve been practicing being adults all these years) an adult. Your children are grown, moved away or are about to move out. My oldest graduates this school year, like you I will still have one at home and more in elementary school. But I also envision many weddings on the horizon, grandbabies, travels, vacations, etc. All the things I always wanted to do but put off for a while. So congratulations on reaching this point, it’s been a bumpy road I’m sure. Oh and Happy Early Birthday, I will reach this milestone in less than 3 years.
I am 42 and I have to tell you that your perspective changes. The little things matter but they also don’t matter if that makes any sense. You begin to cherish the small milestones and the little annoyances are much easier to roll off of you.
There is more wisdom for sure.
Happy birthday!
Well happy early birthday and wow, that’s a lot to take in. I have a few more years till the big 40, and sure am not rushing it. I know a lot of women where age truly is “nothing but a number”. They are aging gracefully and are very healthy. It’s just all about how well you take care of yourself. Kudos to you for leading an excellent life!
Forty will be awesome because you know who you are and you have so much life experience! I can’t believe you had a baby in an elevator. I’m sure that’s a story in and of itself!
I just turned 30 and was quite depressed in a way. It is a blessing getting older so enjoy your birthday! HAPPY birthday!
Wonderful post, thank you so much for sharing so deeply with us all 🙂 I’m only a few years away from forty myself… and seeing my youngest now potty trained, and moving toward her very own styles and attributes with absolutely everything, really hits it home for me. We are done with our childbearing years, this is it, and now we move forward with what we’ve created. So exciting… and mind boggling! Happy Birthday 🙂
Happy birthday!
It always amazes me when reading other people’s stories how fast life can change. You never truly know the future even if you plan for it.
That sounds ominous, but I mean it in a way like: You’re going to ROCK the 40’s.
Thank you so much for the Birthday wishes! ( 7 days away now…eeek!!)
You’re right. I am totally going to Rock 40!
I’ve heard life begins at 40 too because you finally are comfortable and know what you want and can just live…It’s a number…
Happy Birthday! It’s just another year.
Thanks so much for the Birthday wishes 🙂
I keep trying to remind myself that.
It’s just another year!
It’s a scary thing for sure but I guess the alternative is not to be here. Great tips.
Thanks for the reminder…going to go and hug my babies!
I can’t imagine not being here to watch these monkeys grow up!
I feel you…35 was a tough one for me last year. Hoping 36 is easier. Ha!
Me too! I don’t know why though…it turned out to be an awesome year!
It sounds like you’ve handled each decade with a strong determination and a sense of humor. I’m sure your 40’s will be just the same. I can’t wait to follow along with your next phase of life.
I think in my 40’s I am going to take a pottery class, learn Italian and possibly go on a world cruise.
Something to look forward to right?
Happy early birthday! Turning 28 was the hardest for me. I’m mid 30’s now and it all feels like a blur. I appreciate knowing that’s it’s a normal feeling.
The saying age is just a number really is true. You are more than the number in the box. You have lived a great life and have so much more to enjoy!
Happy almost birthday! I’m creeping up on 40, too. Hoping to be the healthiest shape of my life 🙂
Wow happy almost birthday! I have definitely shifted as well as I hit mid-30s this year.
The 40’s are great! Birthdays never seemed to bother me – each decade is a new journey!
I have to say that 40 isn’t so bad. I am in the middle of them right now.
What a beautiful post. It seems like your journey has shaped you into who you needed to be!
I’m 44, I think the 40s are fun. I love that you tried so many things in your 30’s. That’s just how you’re supposed to do it. 🙂
I’m 30, almost 31, and when I had my last birthday, I really struggled with it! My body has changed so much, as well as my likes and dislikes. Not necessarily for worse or better, just different. Okay, my body changes were for the worse, hahah. 😉
I remember 30 was super hard for me, like suuuuuuuper hard! The weird thing is that when I hit 40, it didn’t even phase me. I’m liking the 40’s!
By 40, hope I have things figured out.
Your post made me smile. i remember all those milestones. I always wanted to age with grace and I am glad that at 47 I am still doing that.
I tell you, I am scared as 40 creeps nearer too. I cannot believe how big my boys are now. It seems like just yesterday and now they are almost out the door!
Happy Almost Birthday! 40 will be my next big milestone too.
I think it’s amazing that you were able to juggle college and nursing your daughter. Amazing! I’m pretty sure milestones freak us all out but it’s how you spend your time that counts.
I just turned 41 last month, I still cannot believe it. Do you ever think what happened? I do not feel like I am in my 40’s. Makes me feel old.
I’m really looking forward to turning 40 in a few years, after all it’s the new 20, or so they say. We do get better with age just like wine. 🙂
I think it’s hard with every new decade. But once you’re past that birthday it becomes easier.
I didn’t have issues turning thirty, but I did when I turned thirty-one… ha… I am not looking forward to turning forty, but I hope I do it gracefully
I am not so sure about life beginning in your 40’s. I am in my upper 40’s and it is pretty much the same as always only the kids are a bit older.
You are way ahead of me, I started having babies in my 30’s so now that I am in my 40’s I wish my kids were older:)
For some reason, milestone birthdays always get to me… in a bad way! I try to look at them like an adventure, but when you’ve already tried just about everything you want to…
Aging can be very stressful when we hit those milestones. The thing I always try to remember is that they’re milestones because we make them milestones. Being 40 is no different from being any other age for me. Aside from a few more aches and pains, I still feel the same.
I think the older we get it is easier to just go with it. All of the things that we done i the past just don’t seem to be as important.
Wow! What a story. Thank you for giving us that window into your life. Can’t believe what you’ve been through and becoming a mother at 20 while juggling classes? So impressive.
The running joke in our family was she already finished school why did she have to start at the beginning again!
My profs were amazing.
I had her during reading week and finished off the rest of the year with her by my side.
A lot of working trying to carry a baby, diaper bag and textbooks to boot.
The older I get, the more things seem to fall into place. I am definitley smarter now than when I was in my 20’s!
Me too!
I think my focus has shifted as well. Gone are the crazy girlfriends and the wild nights but I wouldn’t trade where I am now for anything.
Agreed. I think most people are. We make our mistakes, and we learn from them.
Oh boy is that ever true!
I made some doozies along the way.
I’m sure I am not done yet but I would like to think I won’t make the same one twice.