Recently, I hit the big 4-0, and believe it or not, my knees didn’t buckle beneath me, I didn’t wake up with a stiff neck, and I definitely didn’t join the early morning water aerobics class. Sure, turning 40 can feel like a milestone—a marker of midlife where we start to evaluate our lives, realizing that losing those pesky 10 pounds is a bit tougher than it was at 22. Yes, aches and pains can feel more pressing, especially when the idea of them sticking around becomes all too real. But let’s pump the brakes on this cliché that 40 means we’re practically on life support, waiting for our AARP card to arrive.
Lately, I’ve noticed a troubling trend among my friends: any little hiccup or concern about our bodies is often brushed off with the phrase, “Well, we’re 40 now.” It’s like we’ve collectively decided that aging means surrendering to whatever ailments come our way. But let me be clear: this mentality is a bit ridiculous. Sure, reaching this milestone can be daunting; it feels like a clear divide between youth and what’s perceived as “old.” I mean, when you tell a 25-year-old coworker your age, you can almost see the alarm in her eyes before she quickly recovers to say, “Oh, that’s cool,” as if she’s trying to reassure herself.
But why do we have to start acting old just because we hit 40? In our 20s, we often felt like kids yearning for respect, but many of us have been feeling quite adult for a while now—whether it was buying our first car, getting married, or juggling mortgages and kids. It’s almost as if we’re so comfortable in adulthood that we’re rushing toward what we think is the next phase: old age. Sometimes I think my friends are adopting this “old” mindset as a bonding exercise, a convenient excuse for the things we dislike about our bodies.
Yes, my knees do complain if I skip exercise for too long, but that’s been the case since I was 35. I found my first gray hair at 27, and I’ve never been one to shed pounds easily, so why blame age for my struggles? However, some things have changed for the better this past year. I finally discovered a hairstyle that suits me with bangs and have embraced exercise through barre classes and the 30 Day Shred. I’m enjoying life more—having better sex, feeling spiritually fulfilled, and I’m dressing in a way that flatters my figure. Honestly, I think I’m looking better than ever.
Now, I know some might roll their eyes at my optimism, thinking, “Oh, isn’t that sweet,” or “This person’s in denial,” and I get it. There are definitely things that have changed since I turned 40, but I refuse to blame the age for them. Sure, things are starting to sag, but they’ll be drooping much more in 20 or 30 years. So, let’s appreciate what we have now! Can we all agree to ditch the idea that turning 40 means we’re just one injury away from needing a life alert? Celebrities like Mia and Sarah are also 40 this year, proving we’re not alone in this journey.
And hey, water aerobics does sound pretty fun, doesn’t it?
For more discussions about age and pregnancy, check out this excellent resource from the CDC on pregnancy. And if you’re interested in home insemination, visit Make A Mom for their at-home insemination kit information.
In summary, turning 40 doesn’t mean we need to start acting old or accepting age-related complaints as our new normal. Instead, we can embrace this age with confidence and excitement, as we continue to thrive and enjoy life.