I'm about to turn 40 but look very young

[motherhood2019]

I'm about to turn 40 but I feel embarrassed to tell anyone as I look very young. I have always looked young so I'm fed up of the responses like "you don't look it", "I can't believe that" etc. They think they're being flattering but it really gets me down. I have a small face and generally petite. Any tips or advice?

Its when you stop getting these comments that you'll start to worry. I used to get told I didn;t look my age alot - I'm over 50 now and don't anymore!

Yep this. ^ I pretty much went from pic 1 here to pic 2 - somewhere between 43 and 46. 😆 No offence to the lovely Brenda Fricker. Just trying to illustrate how I changed so much within 2-3 years 'because menopause.' 😬

I get asked for ID sometimes and I'm 35. Last week I was asked if my parents are in to speak to 🤣 I just find it funny and know it won't last much longer. See the humour in it OP.

The majority of people lie when they are asked to guess a person's age, or are told a person's age. If a 40ish woman asked me how old I thought she looked, I would politely subtract 5 years from my estimate. It's also courteous to tell a person on their landmark birthday, be it 30, 40, 50 or 60, that they don't look their age. No-one will ever tell someone they look much older than they are.

OP you probably look 40, but please be aware that most 40yo women these days look youthful as well.

Yeah that is understandable and believable. Could look early to mid 20s at 35 for sure. And the people selling booze/cigs etc need to cover their backs... as you need to look 25 or older to buy booze and cigs.

I was getting ID checked to buy alcohol in Morrisons when I was 40. Then I hit perimenopause. Let's leave it there 😭

Bloody hell, enjoy it. Sounds like what you need is confidence, not to look different.

I'm nearly 40. Cashiers sometimes laugh when I show my ID. When I bought my house, people on my street assumed my dad was the new homeowner and I was his kid daughter.

I don't know what menopause is going to do to me, so I'm enjoying it while it lasts!

Why does anyone need to know your age? I assume your friends already do. Advice? Smile and say 'thank you'!

DITTO!

Here we go again

Gain three stone, start frowning and shave your head.

That'll do it

it's a hard life 😆

isn't that just what people say to be polite? i know i look 40 but people always say no way you look younger... yeah right

Your diamond shoes a bit tight as well, OP?

Lordy, I missed that one!

😆😆😆😆😆

Can't you just change your mindset see it as a good thing and feel grateful?

😂😂😂

Brilliant!

I’m the same - almost 35 but look much younger and also short (5ft) which doesn’t help. But try to see it as a good thing. I didn’t like it when younger, but I don’t mind so much now. Definitely much better than looking much older!

😂😂😂 Perhaps the OP could also try drugs, lots of junk food and alcohol, and never, ever washing make-up off at night.

Lol

Don't worry, it will change soon enough. I also looked very young for my age for a long time. It shifts in your mid-forties because your cells no longer regenerate.

I still look younger than I am in some ways, but I look my age IYSWIM - no one doubts that I am 45+

I was the same! Is a pain now I'm over 60 to be denied some of the 'over 60 free entry' benefits because they don't believe it when I've forgotten ID.

Haha someone’s jealous 😂😂😂

I'd say enjoy it while it lasts. Women generally age quite quickly in late 40s early 50s. I looked very youthful at 40 but now at 49 I look my age!