A week ago, I turned 44. I remember as a kid thinking 40 was sooo old! Now that I’m here, though, I’m so excited and totally happy to be my age…
While I may joke about being middle-aged, there are so many great things about growing older. One thing—and probably the most important—is that growing older is a privilege that not everyone has. I don’t ever want to take for granted the gift of time, the gift of years with my family, and the fact that I get to continue to define my life. Sure, my body hurts more, and I can no longer read small fonts on a restaurant menu, but those “problems” are a small price to pay for getting be here to enjoy life every day.
Oh, and confidence! I’ve struggled with confidence my whole life yet every decade (and ever year) does in fact get easier and easier. I’ve found that growing older means feeling more at home in my body and my mind. I embrace my strengths as a person and lean in to those gifts and talents I’ve been given versus trying to be something that is meant for someone else. Sure, I’m still striving and still want to improve and learn new things. But I’m also more confident in my own accomplishments and can better celebrate others for theirs, too. I spent a lot of time in my 20s comparing myself to others and learned that actually gives us less confidence. When you can celebrate others’ successes and channel them into your own inspiration, everyone wins.
I am still a work in progress. I don’t have it all down. But the self-acknowledgement of what’s working for me—and what’s not—has been a big part of my 40’s. And in the meantime, I’m going to keep celebrating me, keep eating the ice cream, and keep finding joy in the everyday.
P.S. I love this video – 40 in a nutshell.
I will be 40 in July and what you wrote really resonates so much with me. thank you for sharing, Joy!
Thanks Marissa! Congrats on 40! It’s great here!
I couldn’t agree more with your perspective on aging. Confidence is truly a gift that comes with age. Cheers to you, and may your 40s continue to be filled with joy and delicious ice cream!
Thank you Violeta!