40 Is Not the New 20: A Fresh Perspective on Aging

home insemination Kit

In a matter of weeks, I’ll be hitting the big 4-1. No longer will I be just “40”; I’ll officially be in my 40s. When I was 20, I viewed 40 as the twilight years—basically, the end of the line. Fast forward to now, and I find myself doing and thinking things that would make my younger self roll her eyes. But you know what? I couldn’t care less; it’s called “growing up.”

Let me be clear: 40 is not the new 20; it’s way better than that. In your twenties, asking for what you want—whether in your career, relationships, or even during a night out—felt daunting. You might’ve thought you were assertive back then, but trust me, your voice only gets louder with age, and that’s a good thing. By the time you hit this glorious age, you’ve mastered the art of not worrying about the trivial. The reservations I had about being in my 40s when I was 20 can now be summed up with a cheeky middle finger.

My body is doomed to decline.

Let’s get real: my body won’t be the same, but that’s okay. By 40, whether you’ve had kids or not, your figure is not going to resemble that of your 20-year-old self. Accept it. Your body is simply a vessel for your soul. As we mature, we realize that true beauty comes from how we make others feel, not from our appearance. We want to uplift those around us because it’s fulfilling, and that’s far more significant than worrying about a little cellulite or stretch marks.

My life will be dull and unexciting.

What once seemed like a monotonous existence now feels luxurious. You get to choose: cozy nights in with a good glass of wine and your best friends, family movie marathons, or spontaneous late-night jogs with your crew. That’s the beauty of aging—you’ve had your share of wild adventures, and you now know exactly what brings you joy. If you want to bust out the pop music and don a leather skirt, you’ll do it with way more confidence than you ever had at 20. You can be playful and childlike while still managing your grown-up responsibilities.

Opportunities will dwindle.

Actually, the opposite is true! You learn what sparks joy, and you’re more than ready to wave goodbye to anything that doesn’t serve you—be it a job, a relationship, or those jeans that haven’t fit since 2009. With age comes the ability to recognize the negativity that certain things and people bring into your life. You realize that your time is too valuable to waste, so you can easily say goodbye and move on without a second thought.

40 means I’m officially old.

Not quite! “Wise and youthful” is more like it. Sure, you might start noticing a few wrinkles and gray hairs, but guess what? That’s a privilege. Wear those signs like a badge of honor because they tell the story of your journey through life.

Now, at over 40, I like myself so much more than I did 20 years ago, and I attribute a lot of that to simply not caring about how many days I’ve been on this earth. Living for over four decades has brought me wisdom, love, mistakes, and experiences that have shaped my sense of self in ways I couldn’t have imagined back then.

I’m actually looking forward to turning 60. I hear it just keeps getting better!

If you’re intrigued by the journey of home insemination, check out this link for more insights: intracervicalinsemination.com. For couples navigating their fertility journey, Make a Mom provides valuable resources. And if you want to learn more about IVF, this NHS resource is excellent.

In summary, turning 40 is not the end of the road; it’s just the beginning of a new, more empowered chapter. Embrace it, and you’ll find that life only gets richer and more fulfilling.