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Original poster

Completely freaking out about turning 40

85 replies

MiddleAgeAllTheRage · 18/12/2023 19:28

I'm turning 40 within the next few months and I'm completely freaking out about it. 30 was scary enough. I've always felt youthful and just... young. But in the last twelve months or so I'm really starting to feel my age. My eyes have loads of wrinkles around them when I smile, my body feels a little stiffer, my hair is starting to get a bit thinner. It's harder to lose weight.

But most of all I'm absolutely terrified of what the next decade will bring me. I only have a few relatives left and I love them more than anything 😔 it's scary.

Am I old?! Is there anyway I can change this and go back to being 25?

OP posts:
OneCup · 19/12/2023 14:50

I'm at the same stage of my life and have also noticed looking noticeably older. So do most parents at the school age. It doesn't bother me excessively but I do feel I am on the 'other side' (i.e. I'm a proper grown up). I am now older than lots of the characters I used to watch on TV and in series when I was a teenager but hey ho, I have the wisdom that comes with age;)

NuzzleandScratch · 19/12/2023 15:14

My friend died of cancer at 39, getting older is a privilege not afforded to everyone.

Gunpla · 19/12/2023 15:18

MissKittyFantastico84 · 18/12/2023 19:51

With any luck, you'll be 80 one day - and you'll give anything to be 40 again.

That's the way I see it! I think it's a good mindset to have. It helps!

Plus, getting older is better than the alternative.........

This. You are still very young, don't waste it by worrying about crap like wrinkles and grey hair. Enjoy all the things you can do that you won't be able to do one day. And feel grateful that you reached 40, not everyone gets that privilege.

Gunpla · 19/12/2023 15:20

Themusicis0utside · 19/12/2023 09:52

Presbyopia 😁

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Brilliant

Original poster
MiddleAgeAllTheRage · 19/12/2023 19:57

Gunpla · 19/12/2023 15:18

This. You are still very young, don't waste it by worrying about crap like wrinkles and grey hair. Enjoy all the things you can do that you won't be able to do one day. And feel grateful that you reached 40, not everyone gets that privilege.

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I really will try x

OP posts:
Original poster
MiddleAgeAllTheRage · 19/12/2023 19:57

NuzzleandScratch · 19/12/2023 15:14

My friend died of cancer at 39, getting older is a privilege not afforded to everyone.

I'm sorry x

OP posts:
Unexpectedlysinglemum · 19/12/2023 20:47

Cut back on booze and sugar, weight training and and get some Botox and you'll look amazing for your party !

herewegoroundtheblueberrybush · 19/12/2023 22:15

lking12 · 19/12/2023 14:31

For me it’s not the number per se. Or even looking older. It’s a couple of things.
When you’re young you feel like life is going to go on forever, and there’s lots going on. Study, exams, then Uni maybe, a first job, a houseshare, maybe you rent your own place. Meet someone, buy a place, have children, progress in your career and then… you’re staring down the barrel of your routine staying pretty much the same until you retire.
No new place to move to because your kids are in school. A job plateau , trying to make ends meet. Etc. it feels like a whole lot of the same, which is a bit depressing! And what can you do about it when you’ve got responsibilities like young children or aging parents?
Combined with that I feel older, I’ve started getting neck problems (no doubt from screen work). I’ve had two friends diagnosed with cancer, you become much more aware you’ve maybe had most of the time you’re going to get. Certainly about half of it and certainly the healthy best part! And the thought of leaving your own children behind eventually is so sad but god forbid something should happen to them first.
So that’s been on my mind as I turn 39. Fun!!

This really nails how I feel, yes.

It's not that I'm not grateful to be alive, I am very much so. I enjoy life in general. But the way I look at life has changed. I see it isn't infinite, I don't have many choices left to make in life, the number of positive possibilities are fewer and the number of negative greater, life isn't as fun and free now and these factors have a huge impact on my general outlook. I

Tr1skel1on · 19/12/2023 22:34

I'll be totally honest, I've just turned 48 but looking forward to 50. Nightmare teenagers will have flown the nest, I really hope.

Hopefully my parenting responsibilities will be done and I can sit and chill. Very unlikely

SoRad · 22/12/2023 09:04

I’m posting this anon. With a name change.

I’m forty in Jan, this is the most recent pic of me. Not the best but recent! But not a selfie

I have wrinkles!

Completely freaking out about turning 40
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