That title doesn’t have a ring to it, does it? You know what I mean. Something like “Reflections On Turning 40”.
There is a difference between being 40 and being 41. Do you know what it is?
“Ooh! Pick me!”
“Okay, you in the corner.”
“One year.”
“No.”
Last year, I wrote a post about turning forty (Over the Hill or 40 is the new 20). Although I complained a lot a bit in that post, I got used to being 40 pretty quickly. Much faster than I thought I would. It was fun to tell people I was forty.
And an ego boost to boot.
“You’re forty?! You don’t look forty.” They’d say “forty” like it was something they’d stepped in and wanted to wipe off their shoe. Apparently, 40 is not the new 20. But I took those as compliments anyway.
Now, though, I have to say that I’m forty-one. People have lost that I-smell-something-bad look but it’s been replaced with pity. Pity. Holy crap, really? Once you have to add a number (any number) after “forty”, it’s officially a pitiful thing.
You can’t say “I’m forty” you are now saying “I’m in my forties.” BIG difference.
My Sunday thoughts in 200 words or less.
41 is the new 21. Party hardy. Happy birthday!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Not sure I want to go back there… 😉 But I could be persuaded to party a bit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
If it helps, just remember that you’ll always be younger than I am. 😀
LikeLiked by 2 people
In numbers, perhaps. So, no, it doesn’t. I feel older. I think it might maybe possibly be my beautiful gorgeous lovely children. But who can tell… I can!
LikeLike
41! I mean, really? So young you barely register for school yet. If you’re worried about 41, just wonder what a 58 year old approaching 60 thinks? He thinks PAAAARTY! That’s what he thinks. He thinks whoopeee the children are off his hands and then his bloody mother in law is coming to stay or so it seems most likely. Glory in the lack of OLD around you, dear one. At least the dribbling into the sofa is likely to be alcohol induced rather than a state of being. Actually I do get these age related dilemmas but in the same way you glory in what each new age for your children brings so you should your own changing seasons. By my calculating 41 is the new 5; think what that’s like: first trip to the cinema, your own teeth, new friends at school, having to be woken up… that’s what you should be like. You’ll love it!
LikeLiked by 5 people
And you think 58 approaching 60 is old? Let me tell you …
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yup. Got me there!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Oh, you bungee-jumping, sky-diving, white-water-rafting show off! 😉
You know, I don’t mind being 41. I was bummed-out last year because I loved my thirties so much but I got used to being forty. It’s the reactions that threw me. Last year was all, “What? Forty? You look good for a 40-yr-old”. Um. Thank you? Now it’s all silence with a shock/pity look. “Poor you. You’re old.” Anyway, that is such a brilliant way to look at it–my own changing seasons.
I do have to be woken up so I’m ahead of the game there, I suppose.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy 41, Sarah! The 40s are like the 20s. Remember how birthdays once mattered? You couldn’t wait to be 13, then 16, 18, 21! Then after 21 it’s all mumbo-jumbo numbers. 30 was a tad scary but still felt 20-ish. 40 was like, hmm, maybe I need to pay attention to numbers…but 41 really doesn’t feel much different than 47. And that’s all the non-wisdom I can impart. Make it a good year 41!
LikeLiked by 4 people
Ugh. No 20s. I was an annoying person who thought she was a grown-up. Agreed. It’s all a mumbo-jumbo of numbers now. 30 was awesome! I loved my 30s.
Thanks, Charli. I will make this year a good one.
LikeLike
*30 was awesome! I loved my 30s.*
Just wait ’til your 50s, kiddo. The 50s ROCK!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Enjoy every moment of being 41, Sarah. There are only 365 days of it. You won’t get another chance to be as young as you are now. It’s only when you get older that you’ll realise just how young you really are, so enjoy it! Happy days! 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
Or, in the immortal words of They Might Be Giants, “You’re older than you’ve ever been. And now you’re even older. And now your even older. And now you’re even older.” 😀
LikeLiked by 2 people
Truth.
LikeLike
Oh dear! I could age very quickly with those thoughts! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
True that. I will never get another chance to be forty-one. Unless my reincarnated self lives to be forty-one, of course. 🙂 Thank you, Norah. I will try to enjoy every moment. Okay, most moments.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Trouble with reincarnation is, there seems to be very little continuation of the memory! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, and therein lies the rub. So back to I’ll never get another chance to be forty-one. I best enjoy it now.
LikeLike
Okay, but how did you CELEBRATE?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, I celebrated my birthday. I celebrate every year I’m still here. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, but you’re supposed to be perpetually 29. Honestly. Why are people asking for your age anyway? Meanyheads. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀 Meanyheads. I had never really thought of that. Sometimes I tell them, other times they do ask (in context of a conversation). Anyway, I’ll be perpetually… Hmm. Somewhere in my early to mid thirties.
LikeLike
I 100% hear you. It’s different!
LikeLiked by 1 person
For some reason, it really is. Maybe even more to others than to ourselves.
LikeLike
Happy Belated In Your Forties Birthday Sarah 🙂 Just wait ’till you get to my age… 🙄 ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, lovely lady. You are a beautiful age. ❤ It suits you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww…thank you so much dear Sarah, what a most beautiful thing to say, you’ve made my day, you really have 🙂 ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Okay, I’m younger than you by a little bit, but sometimes it still blows my mind when I realize I’m 35. I think back to when I was 23 and I thought my sisters were way ahead of me when they were 35, 37.
I sometimes get sad when I think about aging, not so much for the vanity of it, but for the impermanence of time. We’re really just a little drop in the ocean of time, of what has come before us and what will come after us. Freaks me out sometimes.
Still, other than the disbelief, I’m mostly happy whenever I age. I think about all the people older than me and realize they’re still having fun. I think back to my past and realize I much prefer where I am now than any other time before.
On that note, happy birthday, Sarah! I hope your year ahead will be marked with joy and love. xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the beautiful birthday wishes. Ah, yes. The “impermanence of time.” That is the part that gets more difficult for me as I get older. It’s a definite freak-out thought. But, like you, I am so much happier where I am now than when I was younger.
LikeLike
Happy belated birthday Sarah. Enjoy getting older – it sure beats the alternative. When I was in my twenties I was convinced I would be dead by the time I was forty. I had the philosophy of die young and leave a good looking corpse. I’m so happy that didn’t happen and each year/decade that has passed since that time seems to have been the best to date. I don’t know whether I am older than Geoff or younger (bet I’m older) but I’m with him – kick up your heels and Party. Well no I’m not quite with him I don’t feel really good at parties but do whatever you do for the equivalent. You are a beautiful 41.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, well, the alternative is unpleasant. I’m actually enjoying getting older, too. (In most ways.) I think that “die young” philosophy was perpetuated by all the songs we listened to. ? I turned 30 and thought that was easily my best decade so let’s see what happens with my 40s. One thing is for sure, Irene, I will party. Like you, it will be a quiet party with only a few people around. Or alone. It’s all good. And thank you, so much, for your birthday wishes and lovely compliment. I needed that today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe by the songs and also maybe because when young you think you know everything and don’t really appreciate life but as you get older you find out how much you don’t know and how precious life is. And I meant it – you are beautiful. Glad it came when you needed it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true. From my post last year: “I don’t want 40 to be the new 20—I hated my twenties. I wouldn’t go back there if you paid me. I was an immature idiot who was under the delusion I was an adult.” I love the part of getting older where you understand you don’t know everything and actually appreciate life.
Thank you very much. As I’m getting older, and not so self-deprecating, I’m learning to take compliments like this. And so I will. Thanks, Irene. ❤
LikeLike
Happy Belated Birthday, Sarah! I get this. I turned 41 last year. It is different. Hope your year is filled with love, luck and lots of writing. xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
Funny and true… just turned 47.. also an awkward number – almost keen to turn 50 so I can say it… it sounds impressive.
47 not out!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. That is exactly what I mean. Big, round, nice & neat numbers get a different reaction than those weird in-between, you’re-just-old (and-unremarkably-so) numbers. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I enjoyed this post even though it was a long time ago that I turned 40. Looking forward to more!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Noelle. 🙂
LikeLike