The Two Types of People You Encounter When You’re Approaching 40

home insemination Kit

As you gear up to hit the big 4-0, you’ll likely come across two distinct groups of people eager to share their thoughts on this milestone. Those classic phrases like “Life starts at 40” or “40 is the new 20” will echo around you, and you can bet they’re not always comforting.

The Older Crowd

First, there are the older folks, those who’ve already crossed the threshold into their 40s and beyond. They often reminisce about their own experience, wistfully wishing they could relive it. These are the same individuals who might say things like, “Savor every moment with your kids; time flies!” while you struggle to keep your toddler from launching themselves into a display of scarves at Target. They also love to drop gems of wisdom like, “No one ever regrets not working more” as you juggle your work schedule around school events and playdates. And let’s not forget their favorite line, “You’ll understand when you reach my age,” which can be a bit grating since you know you’ve offered similar advice to younger folks too.

But these same people are often eager to share their medical experiences after turning 40, practically salivating to recount their colonoscopy stories once they learn you’re due for one. “It’s not the procedure that’s rough; it’s the prep!” they’ll say, chuckling, as if you haven’t already Googled every detail. They seem to compete over who has the most ailments, with comments like “Oh, you have high cholesterol? Mine’s worse!” If you mention a hernia, they’ll one-up you with tales of their two hernias. Strangely enough, despite their health woes, they’re often lively and ready for a debate about anything.

The Younger Crowd

Then you have the younger crowd. They either can’t imagine ever reaching the age you are or they genuinely feel pity for you being “so old” and want to express their sympathies in a polite way. You know the type — they’ll call you “ma’am” in stores, offer to help you with your groceries (which might just be sponges and a magazine), or suggest you try a more “age-appropriate” haircut, which really means “Let’s hide those forehead wrinkles.”

These younger folks might also have found their calling or achieved some level of success well before you did, prompting them to say things like, “I just got lucky” or “I’ve always known my path.” They’ll encourage you to chase your dreams, tossing out the platitude “age is just a number” while handing you a signed copy of their latest project before heading off on an adventure, while you’re left to remember to pick up coconut milk on your way home.

Embracing the Milestone

When faced with these cheerful reminders of your impending middle age, you have two choices: you can embrace a more “mature” lifestyle by investing in prunes, comfy shoes, and hairstyles that scream “responsible adult,” or you can recognize that today is the youngest you’ll ever be. Whether you have 50 years or just 10 left, every moment spent worrying about age is a moment squandered. Your reflection is as youthful as it will ever be; your hair is the least gray it’ll ever be, and those legs? They’re looking pretty good too. So, whether you respond with a heartfelt “Thank you” or a cheeky “Thanks, but no thanks,” remember that turning 40 is what you make of it.

Make it count!

If you’re curious about the journey into parenthood, check out this informative post on intracervical insemination. For those exploring fertility options, Make A Mom provides some great resources. And if you want to dive deeper into donor insemination, American Pregnancy is an excellent source.

Summary

As you approach your 40th birthday, you’ll encounter two types of people: older individuals who reminisce about their youth and younger ones who either pity you or are in awe of your age. While their comments may vary from nostalgic advice to unsolicited suggestions about your appearance, remember that this milestone is what you decide to make of it. Embrace your youthfulness and focus on enjoying life rather than worrying about age.