Happy birthday to me! And, a question for the over 40 crowd

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leonie

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Today’s my 40th!! I know it’s just another day, but it feels important somehow. Turning forty–looking at potentially the second half of my life.

How did your life change after 40?
 
Physically, I think you start to notice that you aren’t 20 anymore in a way that you don’t notice in your 30s. Like playing sports or doing different things. My husband notices it too. If you have 20/20 vision like I do, eventually you will start to need glasses for reading-- which I did this year (turning 43 in a few months). I likely have gray hair, but I color it so I don’t really know how much is there now! 🙂 As a woman, I’m starting to notice little wonky things in my cycle-- changes that are probably telling me menopause is coming. Yikes!

But, physical slowing down aside-- 40s are pretty great. I have found myself having much more of an "I don’t give a crp" attitude. As in I don’t give a crp what other people think, whether my house is perfectly clean, whether I put on makeup to go to the grocery store… etc. I’m sort of at a place where “this is me, love it or lump it.” 🙂 I think that comes with confidence and experience in who you are, and your worth (as a child of God, but also in your profession or what-have-you).

I am more outspoken-- not caring if someone disagrees or what they “think”-- which I think when we are younger means much more. I’ve set higher expectations for myself and others around me now than when I was younger. I’ve deepended my faith a lot since my 20s, and after sort of a dip in my 30s due to being busy with grad school and life, now I find myself getting much more introspective and picking up some of that zeal regarding the faith that I had in my 20s.

I think personally I’ve gotten a lot more introverted too. I want more time to myself. More time to reflect and read and enjoy life without going 100 mph.

I am sure everybody is different, but that’s my experience as a 40-something. I think age is just a number, it’s what you do with it that counts!
 
For me my thirties were a blur. I was working long hours, had young kids, and was deployed all over the world. No in my forties, my kids are pretty self sufficient, I work from home, and, as 1ke said, I seem to be less concerned with what others my think of me. To put it in a more positive light, I’m more comfortable with who I am.

Physically, you can no longer pretend you’re young. I’m 44 and just had shoulder replacement surgery and now wear reading glasses (but only with my contacts!)
 
*I turned 40 last December, and it was a wonderful day! It marked for me a milestone of everything that I’ve learned, all the mistakes that I’ve made…and all of the positive things that God has blessed me with. 40 is the new 30…if you exercise, eat right, and have a positive outlook on life, you will always feel younger than your bio years, that’s my take anyways. It’s a very special ‘number,’ I just wish I could freeze time and stay right here…40 has felt really good. My 20’s, I was still bumbling and learning…30’s, my husband and I had issues in our marriage and separated (but came back together so that’s good) and 40’s…I’m hoping that a lot of life’s mistakes are behind me and I can bask in my newfound wisdom. 😃

Happy birthday to you–be well, and may you have many more birthdays to come! *

🍰:flowers:
 
leonie said:
Today’s my 40th!! I know it’s just another day, but it feels important somehow. Turning forty–looking at potentially the second half of my life.

How did your life change after 40?
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:yeah_me:Happy birthday LEONIE! :yeah_me:

I hope that all of your years to come will be full of Christ!

God bless you, always and forever!
 
I am 45…

I noticed my muscles got a bit stiffer…everything aches a bit more.

My eyes are still pretty good…no reading glasses needed yet.

My period does funky things…starts really slow, then 1 really heavy day, then pretty much done. No cramps AT ALL.

Can’t sleep as well…lots of insomnia or frequent waking.

More self confidence…

short wiry gray hairs appeared…I plucked most of them until I realized I would soon be bald!
 
Ah, the insomnia…that IS a downer of getting older for a woman. Exercise has helped me immensely with that, but when I ease up, I don’t sleep, sometimes for days. :eek: I could easily be a vampire. 😃
 
Catholic90 said:
I am 45…

I noticed my muscles got a bit stiffer…everything aches a bit more.

My eyes are still pretty good…no reading glasses needed yet.

My period does funky things…starts really slow, then 1 really heavy day, then pretty much done. No cramps AT ALL.

Can’t sleep as well…lots of insomnia or frequent waking.

More self confidence…

short wiry gray hairs appeared…I plucked most of them until I realized I would soon be bald!
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My mum says this about her old age, that it will only get her looking better; “God will restore to me the years that the locust took away!” 😃
 
40 was a ways back (16 years, to be exact.) I had a few health issues (resolved) and was completely through menopause by age 43 (not entirely a bad thing.) Other than that, I think I was in the best shape of my life in my 40s, and felt much younger than I had expected to. For my 40th birthday, my dh threw me a surprise party at a local dance club (we were deep into our Fred Astaire dance lesson phase then) and I had a blast.

50s are a bit of another matter, as it has dawned on me that I actually do feel older, particularly as my older child closes in on 30!!!
 
HAPPY 40th Leonie!!!

I turned 40 last Tuesday, and I felt it was a big deal too.

Love Ike’s post …

To answer your question, No change, especially since I am only a week over 40 😉
 
Happy Birthday! Don’t forget to do something special for yourself today!

Well, I am only a couple years into my forties, and thankfully the grays look like natural highlights. So far. I am giving up and getting bifocals.( Not bad considering I was supposed to be legally blind at 15 or so.And got my first pair of glasses at 3.)
And as I went camping with my teenagers & 8 yo this summer, I learned those egg-crate sleeping mats aren’t enough for my older body anymore. The post-pregnancy weight is gone, certain body parts haven’t gone south, and my monthly friend has been skipping a month or two here and there. No complaints from me!

Spending time with my significant other means cuddling & holding hands, with no expectations because he’s as tired as I am. Gotta love that.
I don’t have to try to please the world. I’ll listen to your problems but that anxiety that I have to help you solve it left sometime in my 39th year.
Overall, the 40s are looking good.
God Bless you!
 
ajcoley1 said:
Happy Birthday! Don’t forget to do something special for yourself today!

Well, I am only a couple years into my forties, and thankfully the grays look like natural highlights. So far. I am giving up and getting bifocals.( Not bad considering I was supposed to be legally blind at 15 or so.And got my first pair of glasses at 3.)
And as I went camping with my teenagers & 8 yo this summer,** I learned those egg-crate sleeping mats aren’t enough for my older body anymore. **The post-pregnancy weight is gone, certain body parts haven’t gone south, and my monthly friend has been skipping a month or two here and there. No complaints from me!

Spending time with my significant other means cuddling & holding hands, with no expectations because he’s as tired as I am. Gotta love that.
I don’t have to try to please the world. I’ll listen to your problems but that anxiety that I have to help you solve it left sometime in my 39th year.
Overall, the 40s are looking good.
God Bless you!
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I had to LOL when I read that. I am a Scout leader and have taken to bringing both a foam pad and a self inflatable pad to sleep on if campsite isn’t too far to carry everything. I have gotten some friendly ribbing from some of the other adults as well as the bolder youth about my luxurious sleeping accommodation. My standard response has been “I’m over 40. I don’t have to prove anything to anyone!”
 
Yes I could get away without a sleeping pad when my boys were Scouts. Not anymore.
 
leonie said:
Today’s my 40th!!
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Happy Birthday! 🍰
leonie said:
How did your life change after 40?
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I began avoiding questions that relate to my age. :whistle:

You’ll probably find like I did that by having young children, people often assume you’re younger than forty. I rarely correct that misperception. But…since it’s your birthday, I decided to let you in on my little secret. My mother (who was in her forties when she had me) taught me that a lady doesn’t have to reveal her age.
 
My life changed significantly after 40. Six months into 40, I got pregnant. While we were thrilled, I soon found that I had to stiffen my upper lip significantly as we were hit with all kinds of criticism and negative comments. At last, the baby was born and all was well for five months (as well as it could be considering we had a TERRIBLE sleeper on our hands!). Then, my dad had a stroke. I live in a small town and the nearest major medical center is 3 1/2 hours away. The first months after the stroke had me traveling every weekend with the baby to try to help my mom out. After Dad got to come home, my mom was diagnosed with throat cancer. Long story short, Mom passed away two years ago and Dad is now in a Veteran’s Home an hour away.

After 40, I really FELT what they mean when they say “Sandwich Generation”. There are times still, when I am more about what is going on in my dad’s life than what is going on in the lives of my children. It really becomes about the priorities of the moment.

After 40, I learned to trust God in a way I hadn’t before. I used to be someone who had to have a “plan”. My year was planned out way ahead of time and I didn’t take kindly to anything that messed with that plan. The situation with my parents really forced me into taking each day as it came and to trust that God, in His infinite wisdom, knew what He was doing. It was…and still is…very hard. Yet, I know that my heart has changed in ways it never would have if none of the above had happened.

Kathy
 
leonie said:
Today’s my 40th!! I know it’s just another day, but it feels important somehow. Turning forty–looking at potentially the second half of my life.

How did your life change after 40?
Click to expand...
“leonie” HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 🍰

Wow, born on the Feast of St. Clare! You are so blessed!

I’m 10 years down the road from you (I turned 50 in February); I have to say, that I didn’t notice much of a change, myself… at 40. But I sure did… at 50! I don’t mean to be a “bummer”… but I kind of suddenly realized… that probably half of my earthly life is over. So… I better start getting my mind more on the “things of God”.

I have been feeling a sense of sadness, over the time I’ve wasted (especially during my absence from the Church). And now, I seem to get more impatient with myself… over the lapses I still have. I say “lapses”… what I mean by that, is I’m probably still not doing enough for the Kingdom. I’m certain I’m not.

On the positive side of getting older… I realize that at least SOME wisdom… does indeed come with age. 😉 I feel more at peace… than I did, 10 or 20 years ago. It’s kind of a strange feeling, actually… I can only describe it as a “peaceful restlessness”.

I want to live for God, now. And not myself. The desire is there. But I wonder, if the time will be granted to me… to get it right!

And here’s a funny one. I have this weird desire to “GET RID” of all my junk! :rotfl: I’ve already had ONE garage sale… and I’m rolling another one around in my mind… as soon as the weather gets COOL.

Thanks for letting me add my :twocents: And I wish you a very Happy and blessed Birthday!

MV 🙂
 
leonie said:
Today’s my 40th!! I know it’s just another day, but it feels important somehow. Turning forty–looking at potentially the second half of my life.

How did your life change after 40?
Click to expand...
It’s great! 🙂

I’m in control of my finances and out of debt. My parents no longer feel obligated to comment on my housekeeping, my cooking, or my choice of pets - I can go out for coffee with either one of them and have a thoroughly pleasant conversation, without coming out of it feeling like I’ve just endured the Spanish Inquisition.

I also feel a lot more confident than I did when I was younger. I no longer live in fear of what other people will think - I just do whatever I feel needs to be done.

The downside is that my metabolism (which was never very fast to begin with) has slowed to a crawl - the saying is true, that I could go out into the Saudi Arabian desert with nothing but a supply of plain water and sundry supplies for the toilet, and survive for forty days - and in my case, I’d probably gain weight. :rolleyes:

On the other hand, I don’t spend much on groceries. 🙂

The thing about the eyesight is also true. I didn’t think it would apply to me, because I’ve always been near-sighted, but it’s true - I have to wear trifocals. :rolleyes:
 
Turning 40 was great. I was free and powerful. I figured that at the age of 40, I was old enough to know what I liked and not liked. I no longer felt the requirement to do things because “people expect you to”. My answer was simply, “No. I don’t wanna and I don’t hafta”. The world was not going to come to an end because I didn’t go to someone’s house. They weren’t going to miss me anyway. (lol)
I made a lot of changes.

I have to say that turning 50 was even better. I’m calmer, more relaxed and would like to think I can go with the flow easier.
 
Cool, it’s nice to know that 40 can be a great experience. I just talked to my sister who is 42 and found out she’s 4 months pregnant!!!

My birthday was pretty disappointing. My dh worked like 12 hours. He’s been laid off since mid-June, so we were very happy about it. He had work today, too! But, we don’t know if he has work tomorrow, yet. It looks like it’s going to be hit and miss.

And, the kids had a whole bunch of activities, so I basically ran kids around all day.

It must be what God wanted for me.
 
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