To think, looking at the state of me right now that it really MUST be all downhill after 40? And to ask for you over 40s to cheer me up?

[NCForNow]

Im 40 tomorrow....I have an infected burn on my arm, a boil on my neck and a sore infected looking throat.

I think the boil is due to stress.

My face looks white and tired and we have no plans to do anything special as we're short of money due to DH's hours being cut and a number of my clients not paying me.

I DO have a lovely necklace on the way from DH but it's not going to be here on time and DH is grumpy.

He's grumpy because he's not got extra to treat me by taking me out or something.

I could cry. I feel like shit and I look like shit too. Is it because I;m 40 or because it's just bad luck?

My 40th birthday was nothing special but my 50th birthday was my best one so far! I agree that I am more content than when younger and that makes life a lot better.

I'm going to be 40 this weekend too. I'm sorry things are rubbish for you atm. Maybe when you're necklace arrives you can a special meal together & celebrate when you are feeling up to it!

I'm hoping our 40's will be fab!

I am much nearer 50 than 40 and feel just fine and dandy.

It's a happy coincidence that one's eyesight deteriorates apace with the ageing of one's skin. In other words - I may look more shit, but I don't notice so much

It's great having independent grown-up children too - another massive bonus of being older.

Happy Birthday for tomorrow from me too. It's bad luck that you are poorly over your birthday but I'm sure that isn't because of your age.

I am well into my forties and have never been happier or more confident. And I've had so many germs over the years, I seem to be immune to everything now.

Hey there NC

I'm a first time poster who just had to contribute because it's my birthday too tomorrow and I'm 51! Happy birthday to us both!

So I really do want to tell you that life after 40 can be absolutely brilliant! Over the last decade I've started a business that took me all over the world, had many many lovely times with friends and family and had the best sex of my life (tmi possibly but heh).

Ok I've also had to deal with losing a job, gaining weight, losing much loved relatives and coming to terms not having the life I thought I would (single and childless - mumsnetting to help me help someone I care about in RL).

But somehow over the last 10 years I've just learned to be happy in my skin if that makes sense - to take joy and misery as they come, know both to be fleeting and try to fully grab one and know I'll get through the other.

Last year I turned 50 & realised I was going to be fat, single and 50 ...& 2 of them I could change. Lost weight, found a sexy guy and had just the best birthday party I've had since I was about 8 - with everyone I love most in the world singing and dancing until 4am. We actually got a written warning from the council - proud or what!

Sorry for the long post but am in a reflective pre birthday mood myself tonight and wanted to reach out and say..come on in, the post 40 water is just lovely.

Xx

you'll be 40 for a whole year (!) so don't feel bad about not marking it in style tomorrow. Get yourself better and once clients have paid up etc you can plan a proper celebration. Between now and then embark on a looking-after-yourself regime so you're peachy for your celebration. Lots of friends had a 'do' at some point in the year not necessarily on or near the day itself iyswim.

Happy Birthday x

Thanks so much everyone...you've all cheered me up hugely! Happy birthday for tomorrow Elsie and toots for the weekend.

I am 41 and expecting my first child right around my 42nd birthday. I have actually never been as slender as I was just before pregnancy. (now I look like a beluga whale, but it's the baby, really.)

For some people certain numbers are more significant than others. For instance, my DM was never 35. She was 34 and 36 for a year and a half, respectively. She just thought 35 was old. Maybe you feel that way about 40. Maybe you feel that way because it's a crap day.

Celebrate your birthday when the necklace gets there, or for the whole week! My Dh has a birthday week, where we do fun stuff for an entire 7 days.

it's not bad being over 40, it's fun, actually. Exept now polititians are my age or younger, which totally sucks.

NC - am not quite there yet, 18 months to go.

When I look in the mirror, I see a slightly different version of me, less angular round the chin, less definition & THE GREY (that's been going since 16 mind).

However, the woman that stares out of the mirror at me is more beautiful, interesting & 'Jesus Christ My Pants Have Fallen Off' sexy then the one that stared back vacuously at 22.

I certainly get more propositions from young men now than I did then (sadly I am married & don't find youngsters in carrot trousers remotely appealing).

It's a matter of perception.

(& constantly telling people you're older than you are so they think you look fabulous).

Yes. Will begin saying "I turned 63 last March"

I'm 53 and very happy with my looks and life, my worst birthday was my 30th, everything seemed to be going wrong, no husband (just divorced) no children, no house and no health as just recovering from a major illness. Now i have got all those things after a lot of luck for the husband and kids and health and hard work for the house.

What keeps me happy apart from the above, is not reading magazines, and not paying any attention to advertisements that are designed to make me feel my life will only be better if i buy something.

We got wolf whistled at yesterday and I'm 45 my friend is 40.

Thank you NC hope your day has special & you feel better

NC I was 40 a month ago and it's not that bad I promise!
It sounds like you are just having a run of rotten luck and feeling rubbish. You don't need loads of money to have a great birthday, just a treat for yourself as has been said up thread. Can you stretch to a nice family meal together tomorrow night? Either takeaway or something you can prepare easily? Family and Frieds are more important than expensive gifts.
Have a lovely day tomorrow and think about what you would like to achieve by next birthday ( small achievable goals though)

I found out I was pregnant on my 40th. Life really did begin for me at 40. One of the most romantic evenings my DH and me ever had consisted of Fish and Chips eaten in front of the TV drinking a mini bottle (ie titchy!) of cheap champagne and a couple of candles. Do that - you will always remember it! You don't need stuff to have good time - enjoy your special day XX

Hi NC, happy birthday for yesterday! I have 20 years start on you and have had some grim times. It can get better, though - I have just taken up a new, very energetic sport, am about to celebrate DD's 18th and already planning two parties (at least) when she leaves home for university very soon. I am a size 10 (have to work at it, hard) and the alchemy that is now required to turn my leaden hair into gold practically needs a Nobel prize. I don't have a regular guy (cheers to the irregular ones). My cat adores me cupboard love. Enjoy your necklace. Hope things improve soon. Moisturiser, moisturiser, moisturiser!

42. Being over 40 means no longer giving a shit about what people think. And being able to say no and not people please. This is v liberating. You know who you are and what you want. Happy birthday. Enjoy!

I wasn't going to throw a party.

But a few weeks after my 40th, I changed my mind, and invited lots of friends over to my home, bring a bottle, we did some dancing in the kitchen, choosing 80s classics on youtube (saddos!)

It was a good laugh.

Wait till you feel better, then celebrate! even if you just get a few friends over for a beer :)

i am 48 and have 3 children under 8y and sometimes i look tired. but mostly am too busy to worry about it and go to gym to keep fit. sometimes worry about the odd wrinkle dh calls them crinkles cos they are cute think you are just having a moment enjoy your fab forties [biscuits]

sorry should have been and lots of them

Bellevita you is hot!

I am 41 and am loving being in my forties. I am the fittest I have ever been, my DS (10) has got to an age where it is a lot easier.

Being 40+ is fine...just take control and change what you dont like.

Remember, this is not a dress rehearsal!

I'm 45, recently taken up taekwondo and will be doing my first grading later this month, for a yellow belt. Fully plan on grading for black belt in my fifties. 40's great, hope you had a good birthday and are feeling better soon.

Thanks for the wishes and the encouragement! 40 isn't what is was once I agree...am going round to a friends next week for a small get together and also having a couple of others over for a BBQ next week so feel better generally!

Had some v nice gifts and cards.

Bella, you look gorgeous!
I'm almost 20, have three kids (youngest only 9 months old) and don't feel old. I probably look better now than I did 10 years ago. Age is just a number. Well,until you're 90. Then you're allowed to feel old!