Life at 40: Why Your Fourth Decade is the Best Yet
Are you approaching your 40s and feeling anxious about getting older? I completely understand! This was me a year ago. I dreaded turning 40 and thought everything would be downhill from there. I’m one day away from my 41st birthday, and I can honestly say I was wrong.
Contrary to what you might think, your 40s can be the best decade of your life.
Here are a few reasons why:
You’re financially responsible.
For most of us, our 20s and 30s were spent going through the job market wringer. By the age of 40, you have likely established a career. Sure, you made plenty of mistakes along the way, but you have learned from those mistakes. This means you have a steady income and may have accumulated savings or wealth. Everyone falls on hard times, but by now, you understand how to weather the storm. You have the resources available to support and take care of yourself fully. Or you know where to find help when it’s needed.
You understand that you don’t have to do things that make you unhappy.
Now that you are past the early decades of finding yourself and people-pleasing, you finally understand how to set goals and decide what to do with your time. You can choose to do things that make you happy and avoid things that don’t. You don’t have to live up to anyone else’s expectations, and by now, you finally realize that. The emotional freedom to do as you please has come to full fruition.
This also applies to hanging around people you don’t like. You don’t have to put up with negative people and can choose to only be around those who bring positive energy into your life. You created an inner circle of friends and colleagues who support and uplift you. In the end, it’s this support group that will help you through the rest of your years.
You’re comfortable in your own skin.
By the time you turn 40, you’ve likely learned to accept yourself for who you are, flaws and all. You’re not afraid to be yourself, and you’re more confident in your own skin. A few wrinkles and gray hair no longer scare you. This newfound confidence can give you the energy to pursue new hobbies, try new things, and explore new opportunities.
As you age, you start to understand what’s important in life. You have a better sense of what makes you happy. You better understand the importance of health. You’re not as afraid of death as you once were and are more focused on living in the moment.
Your 40s can be the best decade of your life if you allow it to be. You have the resources, experience, and perspective to make the most of this time. Quit being scared of getting older and embrace life where you are now. There are so many possibilities for the future!
