When I turned 40, life as I knew it began to change. It was the first time I felt like I was actually aging. Don't get me wrong, this is my absolute favorite decade so far, but sometimes you have to laugh at your new reality.
You know you're in your forties when. . .
Ibuprofen becomes your breakfast of choice.
You dress for comfort, not for style.
You're secretly relieved when certain plans get canceled.
Your joints hurt in cold weather.
You have to sprinkle acid-reducing minerals in your coffee to enjoy a cup of joe.
Your hangovers last an entire week.
Your friend group is smaller and now based on quality, not quantity.
You work out for your health, not your appearance.
Clubbing sounds awful.
Chilling on the couch with Netflix sounds amazing.
Getting in bed early is strangely exhilarating.
You don't like driving in the dark.
You wake up multiple times during the night to pee.
Eating sugar causes your body to go haywire.
You tear up at certain Bluey episodes.
You no longer drop it like it's hot, because you might just get stuck down there.
You trade in fist-pumping hip-hop music for relaxing Taylor Swift melodies.
Having mystery ailments becomes the norm.
Hair starts growing in random, undesirable places.
A little pee escapes when you sneeze.
You actually pay attention to politics, which now stresses you out.
Mindlessly walking around Target feels like a nice break from adulting.
You constantly wake up with new bruises and have no idea where they came from.
Being gifted a new air fryer or vacuum makes your month.
No matter how cold it is in your bedroom, you still sweat like you're running a marathon when sleeping at night.
You gain weight by just smelling donuts.
While these are all true, being in your forties also means. . .
Finally feeling comfortable in your own skin.
Having inner confidence that isn't reliant on what other people think about you.
Having enough knowledge to help teach the next generation, and the wisdom to know there's still a lot more to learn.
Having the financial means to do more of what you love.
Feeling settled and like you're a part of a community.
Not being afraid to set boundaries that protect your peace and happiness.
Only making time for people who fill up your cup.
Even though your body is aging, you still feel young inside.
Prioritizing your family and making countless lasting memories.
Being more grateful for the people, things and experiences in your life.
I'm embracing this time in my life and would never want to go back to my younger days. While those were fun, these are soooooo much better. If you're turning 40 soon, welcome to the club. If you're already a member, let's celebrate aging together and hope we're lucky enough to live another 40 years!
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