Is anybody else struggling with turning 4-0?

[FrankCarsonsDressingRoom]

I'm obsessed. I turn 40 in three days and just can't face it....as you can see by the timing of this post it's keeping me awake.

I don't look old as such.

I've got lovely clear skin, but lined to buggery.
I've lovely white gnashers but I'm missing one. (You couldn't tell tbh)
I've got long thick hair but its dragging my face down and I can't bear to cut it as I've had long hair all my life and know of I go for the chop, it'll be game over.
I've got two lovely kids but permanent-muffin top mummy apron combo.

I've also got a school friend who died when she turned 40 a few months ago and another with "incurable cancer" who will be lucky to see 45. So I'm Shamed about being this bothered...only my husband and best friend know I feel like this.

I refused a 40th, refused a group meal. Was going out with husband but have now decided d rather stay in and get some fine sushi and champagne. I'm not depressed about it, just feel like I'm desperately hurtling downhill. I'm sure the fog will lift after Wednesday...won't it?

Any advice? Is this normal or do I need counselling?

Another soon to be 40 here too. Also finding it quite difficult as I'm newly divorced and would have loved more DC's (have 1) and this to me is the end of that dream. Divorce has aged me loads & the fact that my exDH left me for a girl of 26, really hasn't done my confidence any favours.

Still, I'm trying hard to feel thankful for what I do have and to start lying about my age!

I don't have a problem with wrinkles. Better to look like Bardot than someone like Nicole Kidman.

Not sure why I have such a problem with hitting 40, I'm planning on being here until at least 100.

I know I'll feel crap at work when people ask me what I'm doing, um, nothing.

I don't mind some wrinkles. It depends where they are. I haven't got many, but the ones I have are really deep. I particularly hate the mouth ones.

So far I have loved my 40s (just over halfway through).
I finally know how to dress, wear make-up, do my hair-all at once.
I have enjoyed watching my dcs growing up, my dh and me have more and more time to spend together, I work p/time, but don't have to and love my job now and means we could finally have a dog as I work from home, we are financially in a good place, we have the house that we've always wanted, go away when we want on really nice holidays, lucky to have all our family in reasonably good health still.

I've enjoyed most of my life so far and had some brilliant times when I was young and don't live in the past anyway, but I do also remember being skint and struggling, worrying about money and paying the mortgage, I had shit jobs etc .

My 40s have been my most consistently good and happiest decade so far. perhaps because I've learned to count my blessings.

I too, know people my age with cancer and someone from my old class at school died suddenly this year leaving a 7 year old dc.
Makes me want to get on with enjoying life.

I turned 40 last year and had a bit of a meltdown about it. Now I'm over it, mostly. I started Project 40.. Lost 2.5 stones, started exercising properly, sorted my teeth out and had some minor cosmetic surgery. I'm single and I actually find I have to lie about my age (revised downwards) otherwise men make a huge deal out of it . Now I'm more confident in myself I feel happy to just be alive. It truly is just a number.

Happy 40th everyone.

Well. I'm technically 40 now! And awake but that's due to pesky baby, not anxiety....had a big mental shift yesterday. Have arranged a last minute meal with chums, went to waitrose bought big fat cake n candles and flowers and hot cross buns and plan to have a great day tomorrow. I'm actually taking my baby swimming for the first time ( have really bad psoriasis but recently it's improved).

Meglet....happy birthday ... You have time to pull a rabbit out of the hat if you change your mind about doing something. I feel much better just having done something.

Nice....my dads giving me cash....I'm going to sort out thread veins and buy some silk pillow cases...

Robford....think I've got a grip now!

Happy Birthday! Enjoy the swimming session. [Cake]

I'll join you next week!

I am 42, and having a proper bash worked wonders.

Also, I cut my long long hair shorter ( not short) to a more choppy shoulder length (just touches the collar bones), which is a very "now" length and looks so much better.

Also, 40+ is great as the kids get older and need me less, I have time for me again, both DH and I started new jobs.

It's a time to take stock of your life and change what you don't like, IMO.

Get out of that rut.

meglet

lower case c!

like this

I hit the big 4-0 a few days ago. I am fine with it because I am in a really good place life wise.

I have lost the bloom of youth but have acquired a few lines of wisdom. I am bigger round the middle but have lost 15 stone of useless flab (gained it back again but this one is a keeper )

Yes it takes a while to get going in the morning and sometimes I "feel" 40 but generally I act my shoe size rather than my age!

Happy Birthday Frank Enjoy!

Happy birthday op :o

I've been feeling like this a lot recently despite being a bit younger - it's a mid life crisis isnt it? Hoping to get mine out of the way before 40 so I can get on with enjoying life :o

Tilly, sorry to hear youre having a rough time. Make sure you plansomething for your day and also let us know when it is and we'll raise you a virtual glass of champagne x

happy birthday Frank glad you have made some plans and enjoy your day

I have 3 days left in my 30's now...

I think it does maybe depend on where you are in life... my life is actually pretty good at the moment so i think that has made me much more content to move into my next decade

Happy Birthday Frank!

Enjoy today, I hope from tomorrow you'll be feeling less stressed and start looking forward to turning 50!

Thanks Stealth. Mine isn't til December. Plenty of time for me to meet a rich Matthew McConnaughey lookalike who is simply dying to whisk me off to the Maldives for my 40th