Last year, with just a couple of months left in my 30s, I had the enlightening realization that 40 isn’t quite the end of the world. In fact, given the leaps in life expectancy, it’s hardly even considered middle age anymore. So, you can reserve that midlife crisis for 50! As I approached 40, I felt more vibrant and energetic than I had in years. I was working out regularly, eating healthier, and had more stamina and determination than I could muster in my younger days when I often relied on the excuse of youth to be lazy. Sure, I had a hip that groaned after a good workout and had to don reading glasses, but I also embraced a long-awaited comfort in my own skin.
At almost 40, I didn’t scrutinize my reflection in the gym mirror, worried about whether I was doing exercises correctly. Instead, I simply basked in the endorphin high. I found myself less concerned about what others thought—whether I spoke too loudly or gestured too much. I loved hearing twentysomethings gasp, “You’re nearly 40? No way!” That age felt like a badge of wisdom, and I was proud to wear it.
To top it all off, my husband, a notorious non-planner, surprised me with a grand birthday party, enlisting the help of friends for months. Each time I looked up from dancing and sipping on my wine, I saw his joyful smile—someone who has loved me for nearly half my life.
As I hold onto the memories of 40 like a cherished warmth, I now face 41 with a tinge of sadness. No one is throwing me a party this year; I’m already part of the club—initiation complete! My son, now 7, is self-sufficient, and we won’t be expanding our family. Just a year later, my chronic hip pain has become a reality, I can’t leave home without my reading glasses, and the awe over me being “almost 41” has faded.
I experienced a few down days as I contemplated my upcoming birthday, feeling a sense of loss for 40, which seemed to slip by in a fleeting moment. Is the next decade going to zoom by just as quickly? Will I find myself mourning an empty nest while menopause ushers in hot flashes and age spots?
But then, a text from my father, who’s 65, changed my perspective. He’s gearing up for a week-long bike ride with his girlfriend, who’s 60. They join an active group of seniors every Sunday, cycling an average of 70 miles—on road bikes, not tricycles! The oldest in their crew just celebrated his 90th birthday!
Seeing 90-year-olds still cycling every week gives a whole new meaning to turning 41. Aging is inescapable, but it doesn’t have to signal the end of living vibrantly. You’re only as old as you allow yourself to feel.
So, while I enjoyed the novelty of turning 40, I refuse to throw myself a pity party for 41. I’m going to wear whatever makes me happy, dance like nobody’s watching, and embrace the years ahead with open arms, appreciating how quickly they go by. If you’re curious about more on this journey, check out our blog on home insemination kit for some engaging insights. And for those interested in fertility, you can find great information at Make A Mom’s fertility booster for men, which is quite helpful.
In summary, while turning 41 can feel like a letdown after the excitement of turning 40, it’s essential to embrace the new age with joy and anticipation. Aging is inevitable, but it doesn’t mean that life’s adventures are over; they can just be beginning.