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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask for the good stuff about turning 40:(

74 replies

Ilikeviognier · 27/12/2018 18:05

Just that.

Tomorrow is my 40th birthday, and I’m also working Xmas Sad

Help. Tell me what’s good about turning the big 40.......

OP posts:
MrsTerryPratcett · 27/12/2018 18:06

It's AWESOME. The older I get the less I care about the opinions of people who aren't important to me. I've given up wanted approval from strangers and I know what I want and can ask for it. Roll on 50, I'll be waving a stick at people with my purple hair.

nokidshere · 27/12/2018 18:07

Being thankful you're not turning 60? Or being thankful you've made it to 40 Grin

Original poster
Ilikeviognier · 27/12/2018 18:08

Totally true. Thanks. My friend died at 38 from lung cancer so you’re so right about that one.

OP posts:
PulyaSochsup · 27/12/2018 18:09

Confidence! Sense of achievement in raising my children. Knowing that nobody can really judge me for anything as they aren't me and haven't lived my life. Appreciating small things more.

It beats the alternative! Grin

Chocolatedeficitdisorder · 27/12/2018 18:10

Nope...I got nothing.

Maybe that it's better than turning 50 (as I do soon), or not as good as turning 30.

Happy Birthday for tomorrow.

Original poster
Ilikeviognier · 27/12/2018 18:11
Xmas Grin
OP posts:
Batinahat · 27/12/2018 18:14

You're the oldest you've ever been and the youngest you'll ever be 😀

EmpressAdultHumanFemale · 27/12/2018 18:14

My 30s were pretty crap. My 40s (halfway through so far) have been BRILLIANT.
I got up the confidence to get out of my crap relationship.
I took up C25K & recently ran my first half marathon.
I found a new career in tech & I'm loving it.
I rediscovered feminism & made friends with some incredible women.

If your 40s are half as good as mine, OP, you'll be doing all right!

parrotonmyshoulder · 27/12/2018 18:14

I’ve loved being 40+ (I’m 43 now). Total change in my outlook. Absolutely no care about the opinions of people who don’t matter to me, no

Phillipa12 · 27/12/2018 18:15

Grey hair, random chin hair, men not checking you out anymore! I love being in my 40's, life is fabulous, i dont give a shit about what people think, im not trying to impress anyone. Best bit is my tolerance level has completely disappeared and i quite happily pull people on their cheeky fuckery. Happy Birthday.

parrotonmyshoulder · 27/12/2018 18:15

No unwanted male attention. Just a generally more mentally healthy outlook from me I think.

parrotonmyshoulder · 27/12/2018 18:16

I’m amused by my chin hairs and be loved pulling them out!

Not so happy about annoying hip and hand pain!

londonrach · 27/12/2018 18:17

Seriously it just a number. Hated my 30s. Hit my 40s and had dd and bought a house. Never been happier. Best age ever for me!

alfiesmam · 27/12/2018 18:17

Love this thread - 40 next year Flowers

londonrach · 27/12/2018 18:18

Also you really dont care what people think so do whats best for you. Think 20s and 30s were my worst years. 40s. Im living them. Its a number

MaggieAndHopey · 27/12/2018 18:20

I turned 40 this year - birthday itself was rubbish but otherwise I feel grand! I'm proud to have lived on this spinning chunk of rock for four whole decades. I'm healthy and have a warm house and a lovely family and a lot to be thankful for.

Original poster
Ilikeviognier · 27/12/2018 18:20

Loving the idea of not caring what people think.....

OP posts:
FauxFox · 27/12/2018 18:21

I’m nearly 41 and the last year has been amazing - I no longer feel guilty about doing stuff just because I want to and I am super happy. Live your best life - happy birthday x

PatPhoenix · 27/12/2018 18:25

40 is great! I had the best ever party with a playlist with a track for every year backwards from 40 to 15. May have cheated with two tracks for certain years. We were boracic, so the party involved a bottle of value vodka and some longlife orange juice in a saucepan, plus some dubious crisps. Everyone had a fantastic time. Was just the start! No more expectations from anyone, just time to be more, do what you love, give more, get more.

Lindy2 · 27/12/2018 18:26

I'm in my 40's and I am the most confident and self assured I have ever been.
Honestly, I think once I crossed that 40 mark I just completely lost that worry about what other people think. It's actually very liberating.
A few of times now I've challenged our local council about their decisions and amazingly they have then changed what they were doing to do what I wanted! That is not something I would have even thought about doing or had the courage to do in my 30's.
I'm also thankful that I made it to my 40's. It's not something that all of my friends were able to do.

Original poster
Ilikeviognier · 27/12/2018 18:31

Lindy- yes totally. I realise I shouldn’t take it for granted still being here.

Thanks for all the positive comments!v helpful!!!!Xmas Grin

OP posts:
Allthewaves · 27/12/2018 18:31

Confidence. Knowing who you are and accepting it.

SandunesAndRainclouds · 27/12/2018 18:37

I turned 40 last week, and it is so much better than turning 30. I really mourned the ‘loss’ of my 20s, but this is somehow different.

I agree with PP about being too old to care - I honestly don’t give a shit now. I’m confident enough to drop toxic people and sensible enough to surround myself with people I actually like!

Have a very happy birthday Flowers

Steamedbadger · 27/12/2018 18:39

50 is worse?

MadameButterface · 27/12/2018 18:40

Got zero fucks to give, i’m confident, i like myself - well more than i ever did anyway, i still feel like the same dickhead i was as a teenager but just because i’m not perfect, that doesn’t mean I don’t deserve to give myself love and kindness. Got some silver streaks coming through which i like. Dc are getting older which means more time to myself. My resting bitchface has gone from ‘quite scary’ to full on ‘melania trump stepping in dogshit’ which is good because i get waaaay fewer random bus weirdos/charity chuggers tryna waste my time