What would you tell your 40 year old self?

[loyganroyal]

Approaching 40 and keen to hear from women and mums in their 50s and beyond, how can these next 10 years be great and full of joy, no regrets!

To myself on my 40th: Happiness is coming. And it will be utterly life-changing and glorious.

Divorce now dont wait until the kids are 9 and 10, you know he is abusive, get out with the kids now.

Don't stick with blond highlights in preparation for the grey hairs. At 50 there's not that many, should've had one last flirtation with red before I prepped for the downhill journey.

Watch your weight 😩

When your marriage implodes, it'll be ok and, in time, you'll find a better match who adores you, and plenty of male attention along the way. Many men want a partner a similar age to them.

Lose weight now; it won't get easier.

Do not get in the habit of having wine with dinner, or just having a glass in the evening. Limit it to social occasions not (see also losing weight).

Put down the literature and read some chick lit and YA romance once you hit 42; DC are going to have questions snd being tuned in to their sources will help.

Buy yourself a bunch of flowers whenever you have a couple of pounds spare. You are worth it.

Save save save: if you can afford to retire in your mid 50s do it. Your love of the job will decrease exponentially from the onset of perimenopause. Don't take HRT, even though it will make you feel better in the short term.

I should say that my 40s were indeed awesome, but I failed to Invest time and effort in my health and fitness and mid-50s hit me like a freight train.

I could have had awesome 40s and been much better prepared for my 50s!!

Spend it. Retirement is sadly not a given. 😥

@ODFOx why shouldn't you fake hrt? 38 and don't need it yet but thinking of future me.

Don't get fucking pregnant.

At 40, if you are in a bad relationship, make your plans to leave.
At 40, if you want that promotion in work, make it happen, don't wait in the wings.
At 40, don't worry too much about your looks and health, but the difficult times are a coming - and you reap what you sow by 50, doubled by 55.
At 40, you might have children. I had four at this point. No useful advice here sorry, I am hoping for a more helpful poster to come along to give me some !.
Best of luck xxxxx

"At 40, don't worry too much about your looks and health, but the difficult times are a coming - and you reap what you sow by 50, doubled by 55."

I take it you mean we should be worried about these things at 40?

Get fitter.
Make the most of your children living at home.
Dump your DH because he's about to have an affair and it will break your heart.
Spend quality time with your Mum whilst she's well, because she won't be here for many more years.

It's advice for me. Not everyone. I think that it's a great thing for most people. It didn't work out well for me but I know I'm part of a tiny minority!

Wrinkle-wise, a bit of chub is your friend.

You stop worrying about whether people like you and instead wonder whether or not you like them.

If you have experienced a lot of pestering during your nubile years, becoming invisible is a welcome change.

As your kids grow into adults, they become your friends.

In work, you start to be taken seriously rather than being viewed as a bit of fluff.

I found my forties thoroughly liberating.

You stop worrying about whether people like you and instead wonder whether or not you like them.

This is one of the best pieces of advice I was ever given.

Depends on your skin. I've never used specific cream for eye area (late 50s now) but my lack of wrinkles round my eyes down to genetics . Also that area being hidden by glasses !

Thank you! I’m def feeling better after 2 weeks although this also coincides with me starting exercise and losing weight so it’s hard to tell if it’s the alcohol as such

mind you I feel like shite today after an 0420 start courtesy of my 2.5 year old!

Only because they have elasticated waists.