What is it about 40?

[grinningghost]

Can someone please tell me why age 40 is considered so awful? My SIL, for some reason, didn't know I was 39. She thought I was her age, which is 32. When she found out I'll be 40 next year, she went into some kind of panic mode. Like my life will cease to exist on my birthday.

Why is 40 such a big deal?

 

[mommystieg]

I don't look my age so when I tell people that I am 42 they usually respond with "I didn't know you were that old!!!" What the heck is that supposed to mean? How old is THAT old???

I love hearing all the "youngsters" around here talk about the horrors of turning 30

 

[Jolie C]

I don't understand why ANY age is awful. Lots of people don't make it very far in life, so I'm glad for every year I get!

 

[Dan Murphy]

40?? I can't remember that long ago.

 

[grinningghost]

Originally posted by Dan Murphy
40?? I can't remember that long ago.

 

[KelNottAt]

I'll turn 40 while we're in HH next month. And I'm having no trouble with it at all. In fact, I'm one of those people who sees no point in keeping my age a secret or putting it in the "none of your business" category.

I really think it's quite comical to see someone get all hung up over his age. It's nothing more than one of our personal descriptors, like eye-color, skin color, height, etc.

When I hear people get insulted or offended by age discussions, I just shake my head and think "jeesh...get a life...get over yourself."

We can't control our age, so why try? Why deny it? Why hide it? Definitely celebrate it!

JMO,
Kelley

 

[browneyes]

Age is just a number. My SIL tells me I'm 57 yo. I told her that's alright with me, we're the same age, so if I'm 57, she's 57 also. I think we're 34.

 

[grinningghost]

I kind of view aging as an accomplishment. I mean, let's face it, we don't all get the opportunity and the more birthdays we rack up, the more war medals we should earn.

 

[Christine]

I don't have a problem with my age or having anyone know that I am 40. However, there is just something so old-sounding about saying "I'm 40." It doesn't *sound* young, like 39 does, if you get what I mean. I don't feel old at all, but when I think that I am 40, I just go "wow."

 

[WeirdEyes]

I'm 39 also and will be 40 in October. I could care less about age. I don't feel 39/40 and I certainly am having the time of my life. I would rather be at this age with a secure family, income, etc. versus being 22 and not knowing which way to go next. Also, I expect a HUGE party for my 40th. If DH doesn't deliver, he's in for a world of hurt! LOL Afterall, I gave him a blowout when he turned 40 last year.

 

[meandtheguys]

I think it is connected with the fact that I remember my parents being forty! And they were grown-ups, no ifs, ands, or buts about it!

 

[CEDmom]

Actually I LOVE being 40 +. I finally feel grown up and in command of things. I speak my mind when I want (in an appropriate manner of course). It's actually very refreshing after going through some rough spots during my 20's and 30's.

Also, if I do say so myself, I look pretty darn good for my age . And no, that's not a picture of me below.

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

I don't know why age is such a huge deal. When I turned 30, I didn't really go into any panic mode...it just came and went and wasn't all that eventful.

I don't want to get "that way" about age. My mom is a very young looking 58, yet she got all offended when a bank teller gave her information on a bank account and pointed out the over 50 category. For the rest of the day all I heard from her was "So I guess I look 50. Do I look 50? Well, great." She's 58, for Pete's sake!

I told her that in this day and age, people who are over 50 look younger than ever. It's a product of more people these days exercising and eating right. When my grandmother was 50, she looked like a little old lady. Not so with my mother, who is very fit. But she can't see beyond that at all and just be happy.

 

[gymnasticsmom68]

40's pretty old!!



























kidding, I'm kidding. DH is 40.

 

[Robinrs]

I LOVE THE 40s!!

Whenever a friend turns 40 I send her a card saying "Welcome to my Decade!!"

20s are great, 30s are frustrating, 40s are free. The same stupid little things that bugged you before no longer do. People don't feel the need to tell you where you should be by now, heck if you haven't done it by 40, it's on YOU!

I don't dislike any age, it's a blessing to continue to live and edify. With age should come wisdom and I find wisdom a very attractive trait.

 

[WDWHound]

accidental post, please ignore

 

[NMAmy]

I'll tell you my secret--hang out with folks who are older than you!

I turned 40 this year. Dh turned 51 and my older sister turned 50. In comparison, 40 doesn't sound so bad!

 

[WDWLVR]

Turning 40 didn't both me, but I will say that the year I was 40 was the worst of my life. I lost my job and my mom in the same year - that was hard.

 

[Pin Wizard]

Originally posted by meandtheguys
I think it is connected with the fact that I remember my parents being forty! And they were grown-ups, no ifs, ands, or buts about it!

Exactly! I remember my dad's 40th birthday party like it was yesterday! This is the second year that DS thinks I am 39. LOL! I'm surprised he let me get away with it "again!" A couple weeks ago he was going through a "baby's first year" book I made for him...with my real birthdate! He started figuring it out. LOL! I told him I made a mistake...I was REALLY born in 1965. LOL! So far, it's working!

I'd rather be in my 30s. I hate being in my 40s and single...most guys in their 40s are married! Granted some are single, divorced, etc., but no one is sweeping me off my feet. Seemed to a better selection prior to this age.

 

[4cruisin]

I'm 43. When I turned 30, I had a difficult time accepting I was "getting older". When I turned 40, I decided I would not waste the decade and I would try all kinds of new adventures. So far, it has been a wonderful 3 years (big exception of my mom passing away 6 weeks after I hit 40 .) I took a page from her book on life and figured if I let my numerical age bother me, I would waste a lot of time and energy. We cannot stop the aging process. Mentally, I feel I am 25; some days I physically feel like I am 85. But I plan on getting the most out of every day. We never know when our time on earth is over and I don't want to fret over getting older.

Nancy