What does turning 40 mean to you?

[KnottedYet]

I turn 40 in a few months. I still feel like I'm 34.

30 was a relief. I was happy to turn 30. I'm kinda feeling a bit of a crisis around 40, because I'm not done being a 30-something yet.

It's just numbers, but something doesn't sit right. I'm not where I always thought I'd be at 40. (financially, socially, professionally, etc.)

[kelownagirl]

Well 40 is looking pretty good from where I am right now. But I agree with all these girls. I am happier, healthier, and smarter now that I ever was when I was in my 20's and 30's. Life really IS better as you get older. Age really IS just a number. Most of the time, in my mind, I am only 35, and often I'm only 5.

I think the ages ending in a 6 are the hardest for me mentally though. More like the downslide to the next big _-0. 26, 36, 46.

[LBTC]

...but something doesn't sit right. I'm not where I always thought I'd be at 40.

Heck, I'm not where I thought I'd be *ever*, and it turns out I *love* it here!

Maybe the answer to help you through is some sort of ritual. Joseph Campbell's words around this talked about how rituals, which are sadly lacking these days, were a way of providing meaning and the context of our own story to the passage of time. Perhaps something that marks the significance of having lived through those 40 years, and having become who you are now, with all of your strengths, desires, passions and flaws, is just what you need to ease yourself into the right mindspace to love 40 and love yourself at 40!

If it were me, I'd begin now, thinking about all the different aspects of my life, and I'd try to integrate each of them into the ritual somehow. Kind of like the old rhyme for a bride "something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue" but with more significance for you: something bike, something healthy, etc, etc, etc...

What do you think? A possibility perhaps?

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

[Trek420]

Heck, I'm not where I thought I'd be *ever*, and it turns out I *love* it here! If it were me, I'd begin now, thinking about all the different aspects of my life, and I'd try to integrate each of them into the ritual somehow. Kind of like the old rhyme for a bride "something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue" but with more significance for you: something bike, something healthy, etc, etc, etc...

What do you think? A possibility perhaps?

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

How about "ride your age" Or twice your age...in metric....backwards....each year on your birthday.

[emily_in_nc]

Ditto to everything said here already! I had a bit of a panic when I turned 40 as well, but I'm in the best shape of my life in my 40s (I'm 45 now), and people mistake me for 35 all the time. With my increased 40s fitness, I weigh what I did on my wedding day in 1985 again. I am also in much better shape financially and career-wise than in earlier decades, get to travel and do fun things, and am doing things I never thought I would do (like hiking the grand canyon, kayaking, and mountain biking!) The 40s is a very freeing decade for women, once you get past the stigma of the age thing -- it's just a number, and it's all in what you make it.

The downside of the 40s for me: losses. I felt that I led such a charmed life in my 20s and 30s in so many ways. In my 40s I've lost my last two grandparents, my father, and my dog. It's been a tough road, and as I get older, I know I face more losses of people I love ahead.

With age really does come wisdom and perspective, though. I like the "me" I am now much better than the younger me. I am also much more accepting of my strengths, weaknesses, quirks and neuroses. I have a much easier time just being who I am and speaking my mind. I like that.

Welcome to the "40s and fabulous" club!

Emily

[7rider]

I'll be turning 40 later this coming summer. Except for the fact that I was out with a busted up knee from a mtb crash, I have to say I was in better shape at 30 than at 40 - physically, at least. Emotionally, financially.... 40 is looking better.
I can't really say that I'm looking forward to, or dreading, 40. It just is. Not much I can do about it, and as someone said....it's better than the alternative!

[Mr. Bloom]

Now, I'm a man

Turning 40 to me meant that I was one day older than 39 and halfway to 80!

[GLC1968]

I tend to look at things a little differently than most. When I turned 30, I felt that it sounded younger than 29. When you are 29, you are almost done with your 20's. At 30, you are BARELY into your 30's and you have a whole brand new decade in front of you. At the time, I was single and unemployed and yet all I could think about was all the possibilities ahead of me!

Now I'm also coming up on turning 40 (in 13 months), and I kind of feel the same way. 39 seems like it's barely hanging on to a decade that is basically over. 40 is new and exciting. Plus, I can't wait to be able to say "I'm 40" and have peole gush over how I don't look like I'm in my 40's!!

Celebrate!!

[Velobambina]

I'll be 44 in about a month. To me, it means one year closer to retirement.

[spokewench]

My early 40's were some of the best times of my life. I was fit, happy with myself, and had wonderful friends to enjoy the time with me.

Turning 40 also meant that I was at the bottom of the age group I raced in - YAHOO!

[LBTC]

Turning 40 also meant that I was at the bottom of the age group I raced in - YAHOO!

Now *that's* something to look forward to! Woohoo!

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

[Dogmama]

When I turned 40, I celebrated with a custom bike and a cross-state, 11 day ride. Totally blew my bank account, but well worth it.

[tygab]

I'm enjoying all these answers, and I too felt much better about the "0" birthday - a new decade with all kinds of hopes and such, and of course the age group bump for racing works too (now that I am going to be racing). Thanks for all the perspectives.

[RAIDER MOM]

I love 40! My 30's really stunk. I was finally brave enough to get out of an abusive marriage, which turned out to be an awful divorce. Then two years later, How I did it I will never know, but I found my self in another abusive relation ship, (thank god I didnt marry the creep!) we do have a child together
and he was the best thing to happen to me in my 30's. But even that split up wasnt easy either. Then I had cancer. I felt like giving up several times but I have three of the greatest boys a mom could ever have who kept me going. Needless to say I stayed single for 4 years, I decided to give up men. But on my 40th birthday I ran into prince charming, my Dr. gave me a clean bill of health, and I joined my first spin class. Now at 41 I am happy and healthy, and I am still at the top of the hill and the world. Plus people say I look much younger. They are usually in shock when I tell them I have a 21 year old son.
And I am going to be a grandma!!! My youngest is going to be a 6 year old uncle. My middle son is 18.

[mtbdarby]

Raidar Mom - wow! What a great attitude you have with going through all you did. Congrats to you!

I'm in the turning 40 club as well - in August. I'm looking forward to it actually. It feels like a big milestone to me, almost like a rite of passage. I do feel more like a woman - what ever that means. To me, I guess it's more of a mindset and I have you ladies to thank for some of that. Biking also plays a part of that. Plus just some soul searching and working on my inner self. Now I'm adding my physical self as well. I look forward to it!