Turning 40 is no big deal. Unless you’re turning 40.
I used to think it was no big deal too – when I was 35 it seemed inconceivable, 36, 37, 38, 39 1/2…39 7/8 – NOW it’s hit me. I know it’s just a number, a date on the calendar like any other, but something about it being only 40 days away rather concentrates the mind. You’re supposed to have some sort of feeling about the big 4-0, and true to my last-minute form, I’m now experiencing a sudden stirring of…what? Fear? Denial? Panic? Relief? Excitement? Determination? Hope?
My “life plan” has no danger of coming off the rails with the advent of my milestone birthday because it doesn’t exist. But, rather belatedly, I’m now thinking I should formulate one. After all, as something to hang all your hopes and fears on, your 40th birthday takes some beating.
I’ve always loved a deadline – and what could be better than my impending milestone? Now all I have to do is get a book published and lose a stone in the next 6 weeks.
In 40 days my life will begin…but it’s hectic enough already, thanks.
Back in the real world, I’ll be publishing my #40till40 series, looking at such seminal matters as:
- Should you feel anything about turning 40?
- Is 40 the new sex?
- To party or not to party?
- Can I still wear a short skirt?
- Is 40 an artificial deadline for life goals?
- How much longer can I keep having long hair?
- Where is my career?
- Are my kids my only achievement?
- Should I be wise now?
- How’s that “Love your body” thing coming along?
- Do I need to up my ‘health regime’?
- What can I do about my haggard face?
- Am I an inadvertent cougar?
- Boob job?
If you’re already 40, what’s it like?
I’d love to hear whether you sailed through the date gladly, or had mid-life angst – or both.
If you’re knocking on 40, how do you feel about the big birthday? Do you feel a pressure to achieve by then?
Am I making a big fuss about nothing?
I absolutely loved turning 40! It felt like a really positive milestone for me. I didn’t have any big life-changing plans, but as it happens we did move house that year, I went on Roaccutane to sort out the acne I’d had since I was 12 (although it went badly wrong for a while), I left work and started my own business and I finally backed down and got pets (guinea pigs). It was a pretty good year!
Good luck, make the most of it and enjoy it! You can’t hold back time, so you might as well milk it and get lots of attention out of it 😉
Sarah MumofThree World recently posted…The grammar school test and the maths
What a lovely comment, thanks Sarah! It’s nice to hear you loved turning 40, wasn’t that long ago as I remember when you started your own business! I certainly plan to milk it and not let it go by unnoticed. x
Wry Mummy recently posted…40 Days Till 40: To Panic or Not To Panic? #40till40
I turned 38 in November so the big 40 is far enough away that I’m still pretending it’s not happening, but near enough that I’m kind of thinking I should crack on with life plans. My youngest is about to turn three (my baby! Nooo!) which is also making me think beyond early motherhood-madness. I’ve actually just signed up to an illustration course with a crazy goal of being able to illustrate my own stories and poems! I think the nearness of thirty-ten is giving me a shove. I love your list of topics here – you made me giggle as usual. Bet you’ll totally rock 40. Xx
Maddy, that sounds amazing about your illustration course, so exciting! I wish I hadn’t waited till 40 to give myself some goals. Thanks for your lovely comment. xx
Well I hit 40 a year or two ago and found it to be no big deal. In fact, I like to think of it as the new sex. That said, I have no boobs and wearing short skirts has never been my thing. Just don’t mention the steady hair loss.