When I was a teenager, my mom was already in her 40s, and so were most of my friends’ parents. Even my teachers seemed to radiate the essence of middle age. At 16, that seemed so far removed from the vibrant youth I felt I was living. Looking back now, I realize that your 40s can be a fascinating chapter filled with self-exploration, quirky milestones, and unexpected realizations. Here are a few signs you might be navigating your 40s:
- You find yourself calling your parents regularly, often apologizing for the years 1985 to 1990 while juggling your own teenagers.
- When you see a young mom with a baby bump and a toddler, you think: “Thank goodness that’s not me,” “How did I manage that?” and “Most of what she’s stressing over won’t matter in a few years.”
- Your last trip to the doctor involved discussions about calcium and the onset of perimenopause.
- You finally decide it’s time to embrace a skincare routine.
- Your college memories feel both recent and like a distant past.
- Daydreams of creating a picture-perfect nursery have shifted to plans for home renovations once the last child flies the nest.
- A girls’ night out always takes precedence over date night with your spouse.
- You realize the price tag on your handbag says nothing about your identity.
- The mom guilt is gradually dissipating—cereal for dinner? Count me in!
- You would give anything for one more lunch date with your grandmother.
- You might forget what you had for dinner last night, yet you can recite the lyrics to Madonna’s “Borderline” effortlessly.
- You’ve become a Wheel of Fortune whiz and remember when contestants used to “shop” for prizes.
- The stars of your favorite Lifetime and Hallmark movies remind you of the actors from the beloved TV shows of your youth.
- When your teens inquire about your teenage years, you declare, “I was an angel. Never got into trouble!” while laughing inwardly at the reality.
- You genuinely believe that 1997 was just yesterday.
- You’re astonished that your mom let you watch a movie about a glamorous escort marrying a millionaire when you were 17, especially since Julia Roberts was only 22 when it came out!
- Your husband thinks the women in Viagra and Cialis commercials are incredibly attractive—and you agree.
- You’re convinced there’s a “second puberty” happening—why are your breasts growing now instead of back in the 80s?
- Your new measure of success is owning three paid-off cars.
- You experience the “Oh no, I’m pregnant!” nightmare weekly, waking up in a panic but also briefly wondering, what if?
- You’re frustrated that you can’t hang up on your teens as dramatically as they do, but relieved they can’t do it to you.
- You feel an urge to advise your teens that high school is far from the best years of their lives, and all that angst will fade quickly—trust me on this!
- Going to bed at 8:15 PM and waking up at 4:30 AM feels completely rational, especially since two hours of solitude in a quiet house is pure bliss.
- Your date nights usually kick off with a movie, where you both complain about ticket prices, then inevitably end up at the grocery store for essentials—like toilet paper.
- You’ve become comfortable and confident in saying “No,” and you’re even okay with it being a complete sentence.
- Anytime you stumble upon Pretty in Pink or Some Kind of Wonderful on TV, you can’t resist watching until the iconic scenes play out.
The thought of turning 50 used to fill me with dread, but now? Not so much. After all, isn’t 50 just the new 30? If this decade is a time of rejuvenation, I can only imagine how much richer life will be in the next one. Bring on the fabulous senior discounts!
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In summary, your 40s can be a liberating time filled with growth, humor, and unexpected realizations. Embrace the journey and all the quirky experiences that come with it!