Do you relate to the saying “life begins at 40” and why?

[Theboredpanda]

I do. Now that I’m in my early 40s I just have a feeling of being able to breathe again - and not because I’m finally in a good place career-wise, a stable relationship or have grown-up kids. I’m a single mum to dc who are still young and I’m starting a brand new career! I mean that I feel a lot more content with the small joys in life, going for a long walk on a Sunday, being totally over nights out, not getting FOMO about “exciting” things my friends have been to that I’ve missed out on, not feeling the need to have a partner, not “searching for who I am” anymore, not always searching for the next exciting thing, not measuring my value in what others think of me, or constantly worrying if I’m funny enough/interesting enough etc. It’s very liberating and I’m surprisingly a lot more content with a life I would have considered unbearably boring 15 years ago. I’m wondering if this is what “life begins at 40” is supposed to mean. And if others relate to this saying, perhaps in a different way? And why/why not?

For me kind of because at 42 my kids are 19 and 16 and I feel I've entered a new phase of life.

I bloody hope so, my eldest ds will be 18 when I turn 40. I'll have more money than I did in my 20s and have grand plans for travel. I also give less of a fuck about what other people think.

That being said my life hasn't been on hold, I've been building my career (slowly) and raising my family, we have lots of lovely experiences and memories but I'm looking forward to my 40s freedom.

No my forties have brought about chronic pain, brain fog and fatigue I’ve gone from feeling young and full of energy to permanently exhausted and in pain. I hope it improves but so far my forties are my worst decade

Yes my 40s have been the best decade. It all started a few months before I turned 40. Better sex, knowing what’s important, appreciating the good stuff, not giving a fuck about the rest. Feeling more attractive, confident, saying yes to opportunities. Feeling like a proper adult, knowing who I am, feeling wise and experienced.

Not sure, I'm sort of feeling that it applies to 50s too, because for me that's when I suddenly have a lot more freedom as children have become adults, with only one at home.
I felt 40s were too stressful as I separated then.

I think they used to say it because at that age your kids were teenagers or about to flee the nest. These days, a lot of 40 year olds are still knee deep in the primary school years.

In my friend group at least, it feels like it’s shifted to nearer 50.

you’re so lucky and continue as you are- sounds lovely! 40s for me so far haven’t been the best but will see how it goes

Yes
Ny kids are grown, I have a good job and dint have to worry about childcare.
i can go out and do what i want. I have more time and money to look after myself and go to the gym etc. I feel I look better and am more self assured than in my 20s and 30s
Peri menopause has been a bit of a bitch mind you but at least I’m not going through it with young kids

When I was younger I thought it was a very patronising way to try and make you feel better about turning 40 and kissing goodbye to your youth! But now I’m that age I can see that life can be better in so many ways. Or it might just be an individual thing. My 30s were particularly shite. Lots of mental health issues that I thought I’d never recover from, but growing older has brought a new perspective and contentment that has helped me to completely recover

My 20’s and 30’s were spent developing my career, paying off my mortgage and setting up investments.

I had a baby in my early 40’s and it’s been amazing.

I now earn way more than I’ve ever earned, work fewer hours and have the most lovely young DS. There is no way I’d have enjoyed it anywhere near as much if I’d had a baby in my 20’s or early 30’s.

My 40’s have started well, im healthy and fit, my kids are grown up (plus one mature lovely teen), I have so much more free time and at present neither of our parents need a huge amount from us in terms of caring responsibilities so it feels like a sweet spot. My mum isn’t in the best health overall
and I anticipate her needing a lot more from me in the not so distant future.
So for now I’m absolutely relishing in the freedom I didn’t have in my late teens, 20’s and 30’s due to the dc.
i’m 41, dh and I are still very happy together and we are loving life as it stands right now.