I'm 40 today! Give me your best words of wisdom for your forties.

[FrozenYogurt]

Pretty much as per the thread title! I'm entering my fortieth decade today, and I'd like to hear any words of wisdom that have been passed to you as you get older.

I'm determined to fill this next decade with more self-confidence, less giving-a-shit about body image, what people think of me, etc.

And maybe, for the first time in just under a decade, start thinking about me again, as a person and not just as a mother/wife/daughter.

40th decade?! Wow, you do look good on it

Watching with interest btw as it'll be me in a couple of weeks and I'm feeling shit about it

Ha! Fortieth decade!!
Clearly losing my marbles already!!

Your 40s are awesome! I no longer give a shit what people think of me, I look better than I ever have, my career is taking off as no tiny children at home, I have stopped filtering myself, and as a result have made amazing friends who like me for who I actually am, rather than the version i think will be acceptable.
Relax and enjoy!

Ignore everyone, do what you want! 😃

Happy Birthday!

As you grow older you definitely care less what others think of you. I no longer care if colleagues/friends do not notice a new hairstyle, outfit. I dress according to my shape and know I scrub up well. In my 20's and 30's I wanted acknowledgement and compliments.

Factor in time to meet friends for lunch/dinner/drinks. It is lovely to talk for a few hours without hearing "mummy, mummy, mummy".

Take up hobbies.

Value and cherish the good friendships you have. Say goodbye to fairweather/disloyal friends. I have cut off a number of people I discovered were not true friends.

There was a recent publication by the Institute of Fiscal Studies regarding income distribution. It had lots of depressing but predictable findings - gender and geographical disparity - but one thing it highlighted for me is that 45-54 is statistically across the population the age at which you will earn the most. My advice is to try and maximise this and hopefully build up some savings against working into extreme old age!

I'm determined to fill this next decade with more self-confidence, less giving-a-shit about body image, what people think of me, etc.

Happy birthday! I’m halfway through my 40s & yes, all this - best decade so far!

If you don’t do regular exercise this is a good time to take it up. Not for body image etc but for finding out what your body can do & being proud & amazed. So far I’ve found out that mine can run a half marathon & do an hour of ashtanga yoga without stopping. Do things you’ve always wanted to do / learn things you’ve always wanted to learn.

4th decade

I think 40s are so different depending what stage of life you’re at. Some people turning 40 may have teenagers and time for themselves. My youngest is only 1 so I am still very much at the tiny kids stage. Things I have realised though are that good female friends are really important. At this age marriage troubles seem to be starting, people dealing with ill elderly parents etc - important to have really good friends to turn to. I feel like I want to be more independent and learn how to do practical stuff. It seems pathetic to be a 40 year old woman and need a man to help you with things!

@coco I agree. It's the decade that things change around you; illness, elderly parents, assessment of lives and marriages.

I am definitely more comfortable in my own skin and cherish my friends dearly.

However, currently I am particularly close to a friend whose husband is dying of MND, supporting 2 families through post suicide trauma and a shoulder to cry on over 3 marriages in breakdown but have a fabulous no holds barred FWB and am completing my MBA. My children are healthy and somehow through the awful situations I mentioned we all manage to laugh as well as cry.

It's a decade or recalibration, I would say. And a realisation that kindness and empathy go a very long way indeed..

Stay on top of exercise and health. Drop people who don't maintain interest in your life. Sort out savings. Let go of parental and work guilt.

What Shalom said 🙂

I’m 41 and loving it. Best decade so far, for reasons already given above.

4th decade

Actually, the OP is entering her fifth decade! She has completed four, and is entering her fifth. Sorry, OP!

Agree with those who say get a handle on your fitness. Now's the time to do it.

Happy birthday!

I think a lot of people come into their own in the 40's.

Ita a time when you stop caring about peer pressure so just suit yourself with no apologies.

Youre still young so stay fit and be the best version of yourself.

Its also the time when if you're in a career you hit your maximum potential and earning capacity.

It's all good .... you will have a great decade !