I have so much to be thankful for so why am I dreading turning 40

[Bedsidedrawer]

I've never been good with birthdays, especially landmark ones. Long history to that I suppose.
I'm turning 40 next month and feel down, anxious and a bit overwhelmed.
I've had a bereavement recently so that might be linked?
I have some lovely celebrations planned. A weekend away with DH, a few nights out with friends. I have a nice marriage, lovely kids, friends etc. So why do I feel this way?
Is it because I'm a SAHM but youngest has started school so I feel a bit directionless?
I've done the whole get fit, lose weight thing and I do have hobbies. I am a little vain and worry more than I should about aging looks.

Chin up, OP, being 40 is a privilege.

Write a list of 40 excellent things you’d like to do to celebrate meeting this milestone, and crack on.

Enjoy your weekend away!

I’m with you. 40 is hard. You are no longer “ young” by any definition.
30 was fine and 50 doesn’t feel bad ( you’re a young old) ...but 40 is crap,

What do you think turning 40 means? For you or for others?

40 felt HUGE. I was depressed, single, mum of 3. Not where I'd expected to be in life at all. I'll be 43 this year and the past 2.75 years have been the best of my life. I've settled into who I am. I'm contented, happy, at peace with me. I love my life. It's still hard as a single mum of 3 but I'd not swap it for 32 and married with 2 children. 40s are fab. Embrace it (after you've had a good cry!)

Please enjoy being 40! Seriously, you are still young and probably look better now than you did at 30.

I'm facing 50 within a year and I'm finding that prospect hard.

People tell you to be grateful you're alive etc, but half of the time I think that I am ok with my age but that other people around me are ageist and lookist. So it's all very well to say love yourself for who you really are which I do but it doesn't mean that you'll never be left out or ignored or passed over and that's what really hurts I think

I have been very happy in my forties though! Happier than I was in my 30s I hasten to add. I am just feeling the sceptre of 50 looming over me.

Want to add I've just turned 62 and honestly cannot believe it. I still think of myself the same as I always did and in a dim light don't look any different but am having a hard time adjusting to the hard fact that I really am old now. Then I think how lucky I am to still be here and look at glamorous friends in their 70s and I admire their spirit so much. Lots to be thankful for but I agree the process of moving through the decades is a real test of character.

Looking back, I can see that at 40 my best years we're still ahead of me. :)

I’m about to turn 40 too OP and I’m finding it really hard especially as my DH died at 37. These posts are cheering me up so hopefully they are cheering you up too 😊

I’ve been struggling with my age recently, I’m 42 this year and I hate it. I can quite put my finger on why, more of a feeling of the best years have passed me and once my kids grow up and leave, what will I have kind of feeling. Hate being middle aged too.