When I was 16, my mom was 42, and all of my friends’ parents were in their 40s too. The teachers at school seemed to be in that same age group. At the time, they all felt so far removed from my youthful energy; middle-aged seemed ancient. However, looking back, I realize that your 40s can be a vibrant time of self-exploration, filled with unique milestones and quirks. Here are some signs that you might be navigating this decade of life:
- You find yourself calling your parents regularly to apologize for your teenage years, especially from 1985 to 1990, now that you’re raising your own teens.
- When you see a young mom juggling a toddler and a baby bump, you think: better her than me, how did I manage that, and most of her worries probably don’t matter.
- Your last visit to the doctor revolved around discussions about calcium and perimenopause.
- You finally acknowledge that it’s time to start a proper skin care routine.
- College feels like it was both yesterday and ages ago.
- Your dreams of creating the perfect Pottery Barn Kids-style nursery have morphed into plans for home renovations once the last child moves out.
- Girls’ nights out are now a priority over date nights with your spouse.
- You know that the price tag on your handbag doesn’t define you.
- The mom guilt is fading; cereal for dinner? Absolutely.
- You wish you could take your grandma out for lunch just one more time.
- You can’t recall what you had for dinner last night, but you can sing every lyric from Madonna’s “Borderline.”
- You can dominate at Wheel of Fortune and remember when contestants used to shop for prizes.
- You watch Lifetime and Hallmark movies and reminisce about the stars from your favorite shows in the ‘70s.
- When your teens ask about your teenage years, you reply, “I was perfect,” while internally thinking, if only they knew.
- You genuinely believe 1997 was just a blink ago.
- You’re amazed that your mom allowed you to watch a movie about a glamorous escort marrying a millionaire when you were seventeen, especially considering Julia Roberts was just 22 at the time. What?
- Your husband thinks the women in Cialis commercials are attractive, and you can’t help but agree.
- You’re starting to believe in “second puberty.” Why are my breasts growing now instead of back in ’87?
- Your new status symbols are three fully paid-off cars.
- You frequently have that “Oh no, I’m pregnant!” nightmare, waking up in a panic and momentarily wondering, what if?
- You’re frustrated that you can’t slam the phone down on your teens but also relieved they can’t do it to you.
- You want to remind your teenagers every day that high school isn’t the best time of their lives and that all the drama will soon be forgotten.
- Going to bed at 8:15 p.m. and waking up at 4:30 a.m. seems completely reasonable, especially when those quiet hours alone feel heavenly.
- Your date nights usually begin at the movies, where you both bemoan the cost of tickets and popcorn, and inevitably end with a grocery trip for essentials.
- You’ve started confidently saying “No,” and even embraced it as a complete sentence.
- Whenever you stumble upon “Pretty in Pink” or “Some Kind of Wonderful” on TV, you stop to watch until the end.
The thought of turning 50 once terrified me, but now? Not so much. After all, fifty is the new thirty, right? If I’m experiencing a reawakening in this decade, I can only imagine how much better life will be in the next—bring on those fabulous senior discounts!
For more insights on navigating this chapter, check out our other blog post here. If you’re interested in fertility solutions, visit Make a Mom, an authority on the subject. You can also find valuable information on pregnancy and home insemination at WebMD.
Summary
Navigating your 40s can be a time of self-discovery, filled with unique experiences that redefine your life perspective. From the realization that parenting comes with its own challenges to the nostalgia of youth, these years are packed with both humor and depth. Embrace this transformative decade and look forward to what lies ahead!