This is 40
October 09, 2015
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Well today I turn 40.
I'm not one to stress about getting older -- I welcome it actually. Hello…you're living another year. That's a good thing. :) I believe with age comes wisdom and experience and I don't think you can ever have enough of either of those.
I'm sharing a few of the things I've learned by this point in life. There are some wonderful realizations that occur as the years pass, and if you can embrace them earlier I promise your life will be better for it.
I'm gonna start with biggest one because I think this has brought me the most joy and peace over the past few years. It's a very simple but important realization…and that is what others think of me is none of my business.
As a blogger especially, who puts their life and home out there in the world, you have to develop a thick skin pretty quick. It's a lot easier to be negative when you're not standing face to face with someone, right?
Over the past few years I've really embraced this -- if someone doesn't like me it has no impact on my life. Mine is good and happy and the people in it are there for a reason. I want people to like me and know I'm a good person, but if they don't, it's none of my business and it's not my job to try to change their minds.
Another thing? When I don't care for someone (usually it's someone I don't know well, there's not many people I don't like in my life) it's something that comes from within me -- usually it's jealously that manifests into dislike. I know it, and I try to curb it. But the point is usually when someone doesn't like you it's more about them than you. And then sometimes people are just jerks and that's why they're not liked. So there's that. :)
When you live life for those that love you and care about you, it becomes much more joyous. I have friends who have lost those close to them. Friends who have fought cancer and survived. Friends who have fought and didn't. That's the stuff that matters in life -- not if someone doesn't like you. It's an incredibly freeing notion and I really wish for women especially that we could embrace it sooner in life.
On that same note, I care a lot less what people think of me in general. Sometimes I should probably care more, maybe? Like when I leave the house with messy hair and no makeup and yoga pants and catch myself in the mirror and think YIKES but ah, oh well. Who cares. I'm comfy and happy.
By the way, you look much younger without makeup. I promise you. ;)
This is a biggie too. The older I get the less I can handle so much crap in our house. I told you about the book that really put things in perspective for me here. I'm still not even done with it, but reading it and growing older converged at the right time and I cannot even tell you how much STUFF I've removed from this house over the past few months.
I've NEVER been happier in our home. Never. It's freeing and every car load I donate lightens me even more. I am tired of having so much in our home. It doesn't look much different to friends and family who walk in, but it feels different to us. It's SO much easier to keep the house clean and picked up. And there really is something about getting older -- you think about your children and what you'll leave to them. I want to leave them the things that made me happy and joyful, not a house full of stuff we never used.
I still try new things all the time -- the day you stop doing something new is the day you start getting old, in my eyes. Ten years ago I hated dark chocolate, avocados, onions and beer. Today I like all of them, but the beer has just started in the past few months. I don't HATE it anymore. It's crazy. And this is the most amazing chocolate you'll ever eat in your life:
It's true that your body does start to feel a little different as you age. When I wake up and walk across the bedroom floor in the morning there's some…adjustment. I weigh more now than I did ten years ago but I FEEL ten times better. I work out much more and have way more endurance than back then. My 30-year-old body could not do what this body does. I'm much stronger and healthier and I feel great.
I do love my naps though. And the forgetting why you walked into a room really does amp up a tick. ;)
I'm proud of my age. I'm so thankful for more time on this earth. I thank God for the little things every day -- that I am able-bodied so I can work around the house. This blog and that it allows me to share what I love with all of you. That I have a truly fantastic, loving and supportive husband and kids.
Happy happy birthday! One of my good friends turns 40 today, too, so I shared that Carl Jung quote with him :)
ReplyDeleteLauren :)
ohheyilikethat.blogspot.com
Happy Birthday! What great advice and outlook on life! I need to print this out to read over and over again! Enjoy your blog immensely!
ReplyDeleteHappiest of Birthdays to you!! And yes, with 40 comes so much wisdom and peace to be honest. You really hit on some key points!! I pray you have a wonderful day and a blessed year.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday!! You don't look a day over 22!! You have a fabulous outlook that inspires me!! Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday! Mine was on the 4th. I think October is the most beautiful month, especially where you live.
ReplyDeleteHappiest of birthdays to you! I'm a year ahead of you and can relate to it all. I'm working on getting the superfluous crap out of the house. If I haven't spent the past 20 years entertaining the way I thought I would when I got married, it's not going to happen now. Enjoy your special day!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! I hope you have a fabulous day!!
ReplyDeleteAwesome post:) I really enjoy following you and this was beautifully expressed..
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to you! I just turned 40 this year as well and can identify with everything in your post. Especially about caring less and less of what people think of me. Its so incredibly freeing!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday! Love your outlook on life and that you are in a happy place with yourself and your home. I got that book from my library but haven't gotten too far into it. I know I will enjoy it though.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday! All of your posts are 100 percent true. =) Let me know if you want some insight into what 44 looks like, lol.
ReplyDeleteJeanine
i just turned 40 about two months ago and i completely agree with all your sentiments! i love being 40-- i have earned every year and i feel great (except for those annoying occasional back aches)! what is age anyway? it doesn't define who you are. i remember at 20 thinking that 40 was old. now i don't think that at all. i don't even think 60 is old anymore! i have some great friends who are 60 and feel as young as i do. it's all in your attitude, right? all my daughters' friends say, "your mom is SO young" because their moms are in their 50's! :)
ReplyDelete40 is FABULOUS. You look amazing and life has just begun. The best is right around the corner.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! Is it not funny that as we get older we feel better, look better and are more fit? I turned 40 quite a few years ago and only get happier and more active with time. Caring less about what others think was a huge weight off my shoulders. Now I am about what is best for myself and my family. The important people in my life. Glad to hear other feel the same way.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful day.
Happy Birthday! You are so beautiful!!! I will soon turn 63 and I wish I had your wisdom when I turned 40. Best wishes to you for a fabulous day!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday! 40 really is the new 30! I agree with you! Just yesterday I was thinking how much more I enjoy life and marriage now than I did 10 years ago, in 1990 ;)...
ReplyDeleteWell said...well said! Enjoy your blog. I also appreciate that you save for projects and that you have made financing your children's education a priority. You look happy and amazing...best wishes for many more birthdays to come!
ReplyDeleteGreat post Sarah! I hope you have a wonderful birthday! xoxo
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday!! Today is my birthday too! I'm not quite 40 yet (37) but I won't tell you that because I'd like for you to like me! :D
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a beautiful day!! Enjoy your many blessings!!
Happy Birthday!!!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree. I'm only 32 but I do feel as if I am finally coming into myself. I now know what I like and don't like. I don't want to waste time on people/things that are not important to me. Sure, I do volunteer and help others, but the bread and butter of my life is my family and close friends. Here's to aging gracefully and joyfully.
Btw, your baby is so precious.
Vee
Happy Birthday, Sarah! 40 looks good on ya' :)
ReplyDeleteI don't comment very often, but I check in daily. I just wanted to say that I think you are an amazing person. You have such an awesome and fun personality, and a great outlook on life. Your son and husband are lucky to have you. I hope you have a great birthday and get taken care of and spoiled!
-Erin
I love these quotes and your positive outlook on life. Wishing you a very happy 40th, friend, and many more!! :-)
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! I don't usually comment on here, even though I read your blog daily. Great post and I agree with everything you said today, especially about what people think and not going back to a younger age.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, Sarah! I have been reading your blog faithfully for years. I think I commented once anonymously. Anyhoo, I share a lot in common with you, but I fear 40 (I'm 36) a lot of people in my family start falling apart and pass away young. I guess that scares me. We had our kids young, too, so I want to hold on to them as long as possible. BUT I wanted to say thank you for the perspective. I will try to carry your wisdom with me :)
ReplyDeleteTrish
Happy Birthday Sarah. I am about to turn another corner here in 6 months( 50) and I will tell ya, the 40s have been some of the best days of my life. Enjoy the day, the year and what is yet to come!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday! Thank you for the soul food today; sometimes we just need a little perspective. Hope you have a wonderful birthday.
ReplyDeleteMy brother in law and sister just moved into a new home and they love it. They are looking to do some serious decoration, but aren't sure how to do it. This has some great insights on various home decor ideas, and I think it can help them find what they are looking for. http://www.maamsmegamall.com/np1-listing-dept-36000
ReplyDeleteHappiest of Birthdays to you! I love your outlook and totally agree! I would not go back to my 20s for anything!! Your little guy is adorable. Just like his Mom😀
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! I very much enjoyed your insightful post on aging. I am definitely way past 40. Still, I am grateful for every year God has given me. Yes, there have been some sad times but lots of glad times, too. A positive view on life is important. Your little one is so cute!!
ReplyDeleteHoney I have a "child" older than you. Happy Birthday and enjoy your day. Forty is NOT old!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! 40 great!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a fantastic 40th! You have learned well. Thanks for this great post.
ReplyDeleteI just love every single one of your posts. I know I don't comment enough but I SO enjoy your blog, your life, and your approach to just about everything. Happiest of birthdays to you!!!!! :)
ReplyDeleteBelated happy birthday! Great post and I agree with everything you said. Thanks for this great post!
ReplyDeleteHappy Happy a Birthday! I turned 40 this year too. It didn't start out so great but I think I'm on my way to great. It's exciting!
ReplyDeleteAnd I just went to a Taylor Swift concert, and Shawn Mendes was the first opening act. I'm a fan!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! Hope your day was great!♡
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! I totally agree with the last pic. I still think 1990 was 10 years ago too! LOL!
ReplyDeleteI also turned 40 this year. Happy Birthday! Thanks for the great, positive perspective. I needed that! ;)
ReplyDeleteI also turned 40 this year. Happy Birthday! Thanks for the great, positive perspective. I needed that! ;)
ReplyDeleteLoved reading this post! You are a very wise 40 year old. Sounds like you have lived and learned and that is what it is all about! Happy Birthday and welcome to the forties!!
ReplyDeleteHappy , Happy Birthday...
ReplyDeleteHave an amazing birthday!!!! And ps you don't look a day over 30!!!
ReplyDeleteFun read. The pic of you and Bub is really cute! (You look lovely, he looks so cute.) I hope you had a great celebration with those you love, doing what you love, and a nice piece of that Lindt bar. [I like dark choc, but not cherry flavor.]
ReplyDeleteChrissy
You look great at 40! I turned 63 in July and hate to look in the mirror as it destroys the 23 year old image I hold in my head! My best friend (since 1966) says I suffer from Peter Pan syndrome!
ReplyDeleteI loved this post! Good for you! (I listen to pop music too and my favorite song is "Stitches" too and I'm 55!) So keep listening, laughing, and living!
ReplyDeleteHappy happy birthday! Absolutely loved your thoughts on turning the big 4-0. Definitely needed all those today and constantly need to keep reminding myself!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday!!!! I hope you had a wonderful day celebrating. :)
ReplyDeleteI've realized the same things you've spoken about. I tell my husband about it frequently...just how amazing it feels to be in a different mindset.
Anyway, I would love to have the body of my 26 year old self because it felt so much better--energy, sharper etc.--but with the mind of myself today. AND I don't know if this is the same for you, but when I worked out when I was younger it was so I could look better, but now I do it because it makes me FEEL so much better. :)
I can't imagine how liberated we will feel at 50. :)
Great post! I so enjoy your blog. I hope you had a wonderful birthday! Being ten years ahead of you I loved my 40's. It is an adventure and gift to get older. Here's to many more years learning, sharing, and enjoying the journey!
ReplyDeleteComing to the party late (what else is new?), but forty looks good on you, Sarah!!! Here's to purging what we don't need, wisdom to know who we are, and just enough foolishness to stay "immature" forever!!! ;)
ReplyDeleteHappy belated birthday! You made it to the good part! I remember turning 40 - nearly 12 years ago and it didn't really phase me a whole lot. Suddenly I was 50 and you know what I feel better now than I did in my 20's and 30's! Age is what you choose to make of it! I am delighted not only that you have come to the same realizations that have made my life a whole lot calmer and more enjoyable as a whole, but also that you were able to do it at 40 rather than 50!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! Love reading your blog. Love the pic of you and the Bubs at the end. He is the cutest!!
ReplyDeleteBelated Birthday Wishes. Interestingly 40 is the new 20. Enjoy the journey ahead!
ReplyDeleteHappiest of days - late of course on my part. I truly appreciate your perspective on turning 40 as I share that same sentiment and will be turning 50 in 6 months. It's a blessing to have lived this long and we have earned whatever grey shows or wrinkle forms. I also appreciate your take on those who are less than positive especially with regard to what you may post/blog, etc. I may not always share your love for a certain color, project, etc but how fortunate I am that you open your home and share your knowledge with me.....and your family, pets and so on. Small minds talk about others and it is amazing to me how women in their 30s and 40s can sound like the halls of high school. Shame on us if we spend time dragging down rather than building up. That's it - just a note to tell you that I value what you do and admire your outlook. Have a fantastic week!
ReplyDeleteYou have obviously gained a lot of wisdom in a short time. I love everything you say in this
ReplyDeleteblog, I suppose because I agree with it!
Hahahaha, 1990 WASN'T 10 years ago!? ;)
ReplyDeleteI'll be forty in December, and I'm looking forward to it!
Hope it's not too late to post a comment! Happy Belated 40th! Love your outlook (everything you said is so true) and LOVE your blog!! Thank you for sharing your talent and wisdom! Enjoy all that comes with being older and wiser :)
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