a little depressed

[Jennifer S]

I turned 40 today and I'm having a little bit of a hard time with it. I look at my parents getting older and my kids. Realistically my life could be half over or even more than half. I never thought this would bother me but it is.

Oh boy. Time to think about something else.

 

[Trish Bessette]

First of all, Happy Birthday!

I am 40 as well. Although it has not bothered me I recommend trying to look at things at a different perspective (glass half full rather than half empty)

You are 40! You look good, you feel good
You have a wonderful family and kids who you enjoy watch growing up
You are close to your parents and lucky to have them in your life

Does that help?

Treat yourself today to a nice meal out and a big slice of cake. You deserve it!

 

[Jennifer S]

Thanks - yes that helps but my 7 year old is walking around saying "Wow your old" - that doesn't help.

 

[4cruisin]

I felt that way when I turned 30. It was a terrible feeling plus my bday is in the winter and I got sick from Jan - March with colds, infections etc. Not a good year.

When I turned 40, my mom was very sick and we knew she was dying so there were so many other things I was focused on at the time. She passed 6 weeks after my 40th bday. and I vowed to make my 40's a decade of trying new things and adventures. So far I have snowmobiled, taken trips to places I never thought that I would see, taken a new job etc.

The adventures can be very small or something very challenging. The thing is to keep your life exciting. Anyone of us at any age could be gone in a second so you can't dwell on the negatives. I keep thinking that time is getting short and there are so many things I want to do, I may not have the time (or money) to accomplish them all but I'm still going to have a good time trying!!!

Getting older is a state of mind. If you embrace it and accept it, it will be much easier. It beats being 40 for eternity.

 

[4cruisin]

Thanks - yes that helps but my 7 year old is walking around saying "Wow your old" - that doesn't help.

At seven, anyone over the age of 8 is old.

 

[RUDisney]

When you were 7, 40 seemed ancient to you, too. Don't you remember that?

My DH turned 43 last week and the first thing DD, 11, said to him was "gosh, you're old, Dad."

I loved turning 40. I still feel like I'm 21, but I can afford to do all of the things I couldn't when I was 21. The sex is better now. I am in charge of my destiny. How much better can life possibly get?

 

[Snowy-girls]

I also felt this way when i turned 30-my daughter did'nt help by telling everyone i was as old as the dinosaurs .I hate to think what she's going to come up with when i reach 40. You know what they say 'Life begins at 40' Have fun-have a great day and

Happy Birthday ​

 

[nhrenee]

I hear ya! Turning 40 bothered me as well, which took me by surprise. But I'm 46 now and I must say the 40's are great. I just feel more confident put together; basically calmer! Bonus: no more period.
Happy Birthday! Tell your 7year old, any more wisecracks and no cake or ice cream for them.

 

[Jennifer S]

you are all right. Life is good. Kids are self sufficient, we have money to do fun things, we are all healthy. I really have no complaints about life. It's just going by too quick. I want it to slow down.

I'm going to try and not dwell on it. thanks!!

 

[mickeyboat]

Happy Birthday!

Denae

 

[mantysk8coach]

I just turned 30, which wasn't TOO bad for me, but I never really felt "old" until I was watching Maury Povich the other day. (I'm home on maternity leave...watching lots of quality TV!)

This little 14 year old punk wanted to have a baby. She said "I think 14 is the perfect age to have a baby...you can do so much more with a baby at age 14 than you can when you are 30."

Yeah, that made me feel old.

Hugs and happy birthday to you though! Have a great day!

 

[rotlex]

Turned 40 last September. Did it bother me? Yes, does it bother me now? No. I think I came to realize that it really is just a number. In some ways, I feel like my life has just begun. My DW and I, married for almost 19 years now, share a wonderful life, along with our 5 year old daughter.

We can do things now, due to being more financially secure, we could never do in our 20's, or even early 30's. We can provide for our child, and future child, due in October, in ways we could never have dreamed of.

IMO, 40 really is the new 30. Time to start a new way of thinking. Be glad you are healthy, have a happy family, and don't think of anything but how wonderful the NEXT 40 years are going to be!

Oh, and Happy Birthday!!!!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

43 here and having a blast!

Yea, I may have to change some things and some things I am still fighting (like giving up coffee, soda, exercising, etc )

Overall though I love being in the 40's!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

 

[EverythingDisney]

I turned 40 today and I'm having a little bit of a hard time with it. I look at my parents getting older and my kids. Realistically my life could be half over or even more than half. I never thought this would bother me but it is.

Oh boy. Time to think about something else.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!
I turn 40 this year also. I too realize that my life is half over, and because of that thinking, I try to live everyday to the fullest. I want to experience as much as possible in life !!
Have a great day, cheer up, and be thankful that you did reach the big "40".

 

[Chattyaholic]

Hey, I turned 50 last August so I got ya beat by 10 years.

I look at it this way, turning 50 (or 40 in your case) is "better than the alternative" (dead). Live each day to the fullest, be thankful for each day you're given on this earth. Age is only a number, really it is. Celebrate the fact that you're alive, are in good health, etc.

 

[golfgal]

Thanks - yes that helps but my 7 year old is walking around saying "Wow your old" - that doesn't help.

I remember being about 4 and thinking that my parents were REALLY OLD. They were 25 and 29 at the time .


DS13 was telling me how old I was the other day and joking that I was over the hill. I said no way, 70 is the new 40 and you aren't over the hill until you are 70 now since people live so much longer .

 

[imsorry]

Happy Birthday!!!!

I am 51 I know what you are saying, but like everyone else said, you have to keep going, focus on the positive and all the accomplishments you have.

Try to do as much as you can in your 40's, 50 is when I started feeling my age physically.

 

[SHAYMARAYSMOM]

I turned 40 today and I'm having a little bit of a hard time with it. I look at my parents getting older and my kids. Realistically my life could be half over or even more than half. I never thought this would bother me but it is.

Oh boy. Time to think about something else.

Thanks - yes that helps but my 7 year old is walking around saying "Wow your old" - that doesn't help.

Fist Happy Birthday

I turned 43 this year and love it. It is just a number. Your parents and kids may be getting older but that is a a good thing. Just think how empty your life would be without them.
At 7 everyone is old
I say embrace this time of your life. It is just getting going.
Being 43 and going thru my second bout of breast cancer I learned 15 years ago when I first got sick love life. Your life is what you make of it.

 

[CTPinkPrincess]

Happy Birthday!! I turned 40 in January, and like a pp it bothered me at the time...but now, I'm looking at it as a positive - I know who I am, what I like, etc. etc. If 60 is the new 40, then 40 is the new 20!

 

[Jpgirl]

Happy Birthday!!! Think of celebrating 40 years of life and NOT a year closer to "OLD". I'm turning 50 in 2 weeks. I'm planning on riding (cycling) 100 miles this weekend-2 miles for every year and thinking about my life. Over the last 10 years I've tried to do some things outside my box-like learning to ring bells in my church's bell choir-I can't read music and have never played a musical instrument. Taking up crocheting-I'm on my third afghan. Riding in long endurance rides. Doing things that are totally different for you-keeps you young-you meet new people and learn new things about yourself.
There's a new instructor where I teach and he decided years ago that every year he would take up something new. Last year he learned to sail. This year he decided to take up being a cycling instructor-no small feat for a middle aged man with his own business. He's flung himself into this and is having a ball.
So celebrate life-make yourself shine and be proud.