To ask for the good stuff about turning 40:(

[Ilikeviognier]

Just that.

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

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

I did C25k 4 years ago. In my 40th year I’ll be running my 5th marathon... possibly my 6th and 7th too! I used to go for a fag on cross country at school...

Gravitas.

It suddenly occurs to you that you finally have it when people start to listen to you and treat you with respect. It’s great.

Happy birthday 40 is fabulous! Enjoy it.

^I'll be waving a stick at people with my purple hair"
Whilst wearing a red hat that doesn't go and doesn't suit you, MrsTerry?

I DREADED hitting 40 in the run up to it, but the minute I turned 40, I was fine with it. My 40s have been quite a turbulent time.... My DDad got a nasty cancer diagnosis when I was 40 1/2 and died just before my 42nd b.day.
Had a huge falling out with DSis (always been v close) and we didn't speak for 5 years, which was horrendous. We're over it now, thank god!
DM (also very close) has a new man in her life who I loath and it's been very very bad for her/my relationship (sorry, that was all a lot less lighthearted than the tone of this thread).

So, not the easiest time of my life. BUT, the way I feel about myself now is much more accepting/at peace with myself, and that's amazing. Also, DD getting older so I'm getting more independence back and more time to myself. I go to the flicks/out to bands more. Enjoy my friendships more (not just in the living room, but able to go out!). I've also taken up exercise, which I (also) love. And my gym buddy (who I met while at exercise class) is funny and gorgeous and hugely gay and we laugh all the time.

I'm channelling how OK it was as I can see 50 coming over the horizon!

The one bit of advice I'd give those of you who have 40 just coming - I had a party and didn't much enjoy it because I didn't get to talk to half the people I wanted to (a friend had v recently given birth, so I deliberately spent the early part of the party with her, but her baby stayed up til nearly 10 that night, and other friends had left by the time I was ready to spend time with them).
I won't have a party again, but might have 2 or 3 smaller things (evenings in the pub) so I can talk to all the people I love!

Happy Birthday OP and anyone else who's got a b.day coming up

Whilst wearing a red hat that doesn't go and doesn't suit you, MrsTerry?

Red's not my colour!

I'm 39 and currently learning to drive- it's so hard and so scary that I feel like the rest of my life will be a piece of piss in comparison!

My 30s were full of sadness, depression, anxiety and putting way too much pressure on myself. I'm fine with leaving them behind. I know I look loads better now than I did at 21, and I picked up some great habits in my 30s (stopped smoking, moderate drinking, reducing meat, running) that I plan to continue forever

I loved my 40th year - lots of parties for my friends and I, do a very sociable time. Now we are 41, it’s also fine, nothing has changed.

I loved my 40s - having spent up til then being far too concerned about what everyone else said or thought about me, I suddenly discovered I don’t give a shit actually. It’s great! I stopped putting up with any fuckwittery, really found my voice. It was and remains brilliant!

Wasn't being rude, MrsTerryP, it's a quote from a poem - Warning by Jenny Joseph, which starts "when I'm an old woman I shall wear purple with a red hat which doesn't go and doesn't suit me"

I'm not on the right device right now, but I'll link it later.... It's a great poem!

Have a baby a few days afterwards - how can you feel old when you're on the cusp of new life?

I'm 40 in May.

I'm kind of hoping it's a magic bullet to curing my anxiety.

Bit far fetched, maybe?

For MrsTerryPratcett and all the soon-to-be old ladies on this thread.

One of my favourite poems (I love the line: And make up for the sobriety of my youth!):

Warning

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick flowers in other people's gardens
And learn to spit.

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickle for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.
Jenny Joseph :

Confidence. Not caring so much. Being more self aware. Gravitas. Plus you’re still attractive

45 here. (If we can use pre-Xmas as our yardstick 🤣) I'm the fittest I've ever been. I'm the slimmest I've ever been. I'm a size 10 for the first time ever. To use pps comments, I give zero fecks about what people not important to me think about me. I have an inner confidence with the right touch of arrogance.

Happy Birthday OP!!

I totally knew you weren't being rude @KeepServingTheFestiveSnogs

I actually read that poem at a grandparent's funeral. I love it and will be channeling it!

50, beyond and impending death are on the horizon?

MrsT; me and DD read it at MILs funeral as well. Purple was her favourite colour!

PURLEASE run your stick over railings and go out in satin slippers in the rain (what a gorgeous poem it is!)

I wear inappropriate footwear now. Hahahaha.

Don't think about it...it's just a number. Soon you'll have to remember how old you are when you have to complete a form. As long as you're happy and healthy and comfortable in your own skin, age makes no difference.

The only thing I've found is that even when you go into your 40's, you'll still meet people of a similar (or even older) age that behave like they're in their teens. Just let go and see where you land. Happy Birthday for tomorrow x

The only down side is that the years pass more quickly the older you get and I noticed in my 40's.
It was also my best decade.I still looked Ok,had my dd.I was fit and healthy and more confident

Its my 40th on Sunday, im currently being kept awake by my baby number 1 kicking me, im 24 weeks pregnant and cant wait

I turned 40 a couple of years ago & loving it. Agree with others about feeling more confident. What I've loved is that I also made a pact with friends to spend more quality time with them so now have regular weekends away / spa days etc. I've encouraged my DH to do the same as with 3 small DCs, things are very hectic, so I think time away helps a lot!

Getting old is a privilege. Would you rather the alternative?

Also don't they say life begins at 40!?