All those turning 40 this year, how do you feel about it? And those who already are, tell us how you felt/feel...

[WideWebWitch]

Well there seem to be a lot of us 1966 babies who will be 40 this year, how are we all feeling about it?

Do people feel this is 'half way' or do you just not think about it in those terms? Or do you think it's the new thirty (which is what I keep telling myself) and therefore nothing to worry about at all? And is there stuff you thought you ought to have achieved by now and haven't or stuff you feel must be done before the big birthday?

And is anyone having mid life crisis moments? I am considering going back to my natural brunette once I am slim and forty (I've already got my toy boy in dh, who is 29 and will be 30 in July but we met when I was 33 so when I thought 40 was a loooong way away!) Any and all thoughts, moanings and ranting welcome...

I have 18 months to contemplate the big 40 but having spent my life thinking .. life would be better if I had ( e.g.wedge sandals when 13)or was ..(a highflying something or other etc etc) I am determined to grab all the opportunites that come my way. A group of friends of mine have been saving towards a major celebration for some years now and hopefully now that our childbearing years are behind us( in the sense of families complete) we are hoping to have a fabulous 4 days somewhere learning to do something different. I have been to too many funerals of people who only just made it past 40 to know that life is not a rehearsal. I know it to be true but need now to use it as a means of using every minute to enjoy and be thankful for all that I have.

Oh god, I'm a bit depressed by all these '40 might be well over half way' posts - I've mainly spent my life assuming that since my maternal grandparents lived until their 80's (dad's side died of tb but it was Cornwall in the 40's) and my mother is still alive and v healthy at 63 and since I gave up smoking nearly 3 years ago (and had a couple of smoke free years before that but then started again so I reckon it counts as giving up before 35) and since I'm healthy and eat well (too much, but well) I'll very likely be around for a while. I really hope my optimism isn't misplaced - I hardly know anyone whose died apart from my dad and even then, it took 40 years of smoking 60+ a day. MI, your post made me larf, I get totally carried away when I get out, as you know!

oops, who's died, not whose died

until fairly recently I gaily assumed I'd be knocking on 90 before I shuffled off. Current count in the last 5 years though is 2 friends with breast cancer, one friend widowed at 35, and of course my mum unlikely to see 75 (she too was having a ball in her early 60s).
But I try not to be depressed by thoughts of mortality - just use the awareness to make the most of being alive!

WWW- didn't mean to be morbid .. have always assumed I will have time to do all these things.. just need to make myself do more and not be feeble.

I was 10 weeks pg with dd2 on my 40th birthday -she'll be 9 years old in a couple of weeks. So my 40's have flown by because of her - and because time speeds up every year as well

However am surprised by how many people are so frightened of being 50, I mean what's the alternative? (My younger brother died 4 years ago at the age of 40 so I feel very lucky)

Anyway www, I bet men look at you just as much as they've always done, its just that you don't notice because you're happily married

I went out with some work colleagues on a Christmas thing a few weeks ago and we had a meal then ended up clubbing. I was the oldest female there but still got chatted up and bought drinks (ok so he looked like the construction worker from the Village People but as I'm taken anyway it didn't matter did it) It impressed the work colleagues anyway

as i said to dh the other day, don't moan about being 40 cos when you're fifty the 40 yearolds will seem like spring chicks! Lots of love for your forties (the new thirties).

Felt terrible! Every year past 40 is a punch in the stomach... am now 43. That's young for a male but, let's face it, considered by many as "past it" for a female. sorry.

La la la la la. No. Can't hear what you're saying. 1966? Who? Me?

Sobernow, I'm sure you're utterly not pointless but that must be dispiriting about the jobs. Cam, thanks for that, yes, time does speed up doesn't it? Not nice. Robinpud, oh don't apologise, it just hadn't occurred to me much (unless you count when I was depressed and morbidity was part of that but I try not to think about that too much). Elliott, sorry to hear about your friends and your mum.

My 40th birthday is a long, long time ago for me! The way I look at it...it's a lot better than the alternative.

I am well past 50 and you 40s do seem like spring chicks (and as for you 30s and 20s...you shouldn't be out on your own )

Oooh Janh and Suedonim, that's very nice to hear!

Oooh Janh and Suedonim, that's very nice to hear!

I will be 46 next week and last night I was on the computer planning a trip I had always promised myself I would do when I was 50!!...I plan to travel across Australia...on the prospector train....I live in Perth...its a 4-5 day journey to Sydney...not much to look at...lots of desert....but its the journey I am looking forward to....and thats how life should be...enjoy the journey, the experiences...good and bad... and celebrate ...each and every year....please dont be frightened of reaching 40...you spring chickens!!!
ps...anyone want to come with me???

Not read the rest but I'm glad the whole looming 40 thing is over. Don't care (too much) about getting older - helps having a partner 7 years younger. Plus, I was pregnant on my 40th so did believe that life was beginning. But I did hate all teh "What are you going to do for the Big 4 0" questions. Since I was pregnant nothing that involved copious amounts of alcohol, unfortunately.

For me it's just a number. 40 is no big deal, but I think 46, 47, 48 might be more of an issue with menopause etc.

I prefer it to the alternative, and it has given me the motivation to do a proper diet and more exercise.

What's to dread? I had a great party, with friends flying in from Warsaw, Amsterdam and London, loads of champagne, lots of curry. It's only a number FGS! If I died tomorrow, the only thing I would really regret (if we have to be morbid here) is not seeing the DDs grow up. I think I've had a fairly full life so far, have travelled a lot, lived places I never thought I would (Poland under communism), have met some great people, had lots of good sex, partied wildly...and I don't intend stopping, cutting my hair short, getting it permed and dyed old-lady-beige, wearing sensible shoes and shades of mushoom for the next 40 years. Live the life, don't just merely exist. And don't worry about numbers.

Bet we could all still pull if we dressed up a bit and weren't permanently knackered and covered with other people's snot, sticky hands etc!

i'm 39 today and thats bad enough

This age thing really shouldnt be any big deal- i had a client who asked my age,when i told her i was 40 she couldnt believe it.

The funniest thing of all is my client is actually BLIND,so there you go.

My taste in music must be so hip!

I am 40 later this month, well 2 weeks exactly. I am not looking forward to it all. I konw it's just a number, but i can't help feeling it's all downhill now. I have spent my entire 30's overweight, and working very long hours, with few holidays or days off. (unless you count the 1 week maternity leave with DD).
But i suppose "things can only get better"

I will be 40 at end April & have just signed up to the "Loose a stone thread" as that is my resolution to do before hitting 40!

Good excuse for a party - & if loose weight good excuse for a bit of shopping

You can tell from my nickname that I an obsessed with my age. Actually, it doesn't mean much to me except that other people keep bugging me about it - namely DH thinks I should conceive immediately, but I just don't want to right now. Maybe in a few years if I still have any eggs left. . . I could've written Milliways post - will be 40 in April - except that I have 2 stone to lose, which is my goal. I think we should all take this opportunity to milk the birthday for all it's worth - bring on the pressies, coupons for lie ins, nights at spas, etc.