This is my 200th post…! I’m not sure whether choosing my musings on turning 40 is necessarily the best choice, but it felt appropriate :)
I turn 40 at the weekend.
This fact has been at the back of my mind for months: a niggling, quiet voice, whispering reminders.
Telling me it was coming – in the words of my 7yo – that I was going to be old!
But, actually, I don’t feel old.
I don’t feel that 40 is old. I feel more comfortable in my skin than I ever have. I may be slightly unsure about the future of me but I am not phased by turning 40.
It was a different story when I turned 30. There were so many things that I had always imagined I would have done before I was 30. I had succeeded in a lot of them, but at that point I was very goal oriented and driven – a lot wasn’t all…!
I am still driven, but my perspective is different. My life is different. I am older, (a little bit) wiser and a lot happier.
The first forty years of life give us the text: the next thirty supply the commentary.
Arthur Schopenhauer
My one regret is that I am away from friends and family. I have missed all my close friends parties – and there have been a lot of them, far more than when we turned 30! – and that makes me sad.
I won’t have a party.
This is fine, and was my decision, but it isn’t quite how I imagined my 40th birthday. But a party just wouldn’t be the same without my friends.
I will spend the day with my husband and children, and it will be lovely.
It is, after all, just another birthday. The number isn’t really so significant, is it?
I don’t feel 40, so perhaps I will just remain 39 for the time being…
There’s no reason to make such a fuss about 40, I will still be the same person when I wake up, I won’t have a sudden moment of self realisation, a blinding flash of inspiration about what comes next. I won’t suddenly feel 40 instead of 25 (in my head I’m still in my twenties and I’m always slightly surprised to realise I’m not… That’s not just me, is it?!).
It’s not a big deal (even if it is a great excuse for a party!).
At least, that is what I will tell myself when I wake up, another year older and entering my fourth decade without the big celebration I had planned while still in the UK.
I’ll just have to do something spectacular when I turn 50 :)
Happy Birthday, Sara! Hope you have a lovely day! Vx
Thank you :)
Happy Birthday! I hope you won’t feel too disappointed when the day has passed without much fanfare. I feel the same as you about approaching 40, I’m not that worried really. I am very comfortable in my 30s and shall enjoy them while they last, but then I intend to enjoy the 40s just as much!
Thank you, I hope so too – I’m remaining positive, but I do worry a little that I will feel a bit sad on the day. I have enjoyed my thirties, but I really believe that my forties are going to be even better xx
Happy, happy birthday. I’m 37 and honestly feel so much happier in my own skin with each year that passes. I hope you do something fabulous if not spectacular!
Oh, thank you – I’m sure my day will be fabulous – my boys are very excited! I’m looking forward to my forties, I think they’re going to be good!
Happy Birthday and welcome to the club! I turned 40 last March and it absolutely didn’t feel anything different from turning 30! =)
Thank you! It’s funny isn’t it, it really doesn’t feel like such a big deal :) But, it is a birthday, so I intend to eat cake and drink fizz!
As you should! Enjoy your birthday =)
Indeed! Thank you :)
40 is so young! I’m going to hit 50 in December and actually feel the same as you. No fanfare or jubilations for me (I don’t think) unless hubby is planning something BIG!
Happy birthday. Your 40’s won’t feel any different x
Thank you! It’s funny, if I’d been at home I would have had a party, made a bit of a fuss, but I really don’t feel the need to. I’m just going to enjoy my birthday, the same as always :)
Happy birthday lovely Sara. I felt exactly the same as you when I turned 40 and it really was just a number. My youngest was 6 weeks old and a c section, so I spent my birthday in the house with my hubby and the girls. I couldn’t have gone out even if I wanted to, but actually it was lovely not making a huge fuss out of it. I got some nice pressies from them, had a huge takeaway and wine. My 50th will be a different story though! Have a really lovely birthday xxx
Thank you xx I’m looking forward to a lovely day with my husband and the kids, with cake and fizz! That’s my idea of a perfect birthday :) I’m with you on the 50th though, for that one I will make a fuss!
I feel exactly the same, my 40th is just a couple of weeks away and I wouldn’t have wanted a big fuss even if I was in England but I think I’ll be sad too that my friends and family aren’t around. I hope you have a lovely birthday xx
Thank you – I’m having a lovely day so far. I’ve been getting lots of lovely messages so although I won’t see anyone, I know that they are thinking of me, which is nice. I know if I’d been in the UK I would have done more, but I’m now quite happy to not. I know that 40 is seen as a ‘re-evaluation’ point, but I think I’ve already started that – as have you! It doesn’t really have much to do with the date :)
Happy birthday (belated)! After a point, we should just forget the numbers and spend every day with our families as if it’s special. But I must say that when I turn 40, I’ll be having the same thoughts too! Hope you had a great day.
Thank you :) I had a lovely day xx