HELLO 41!
I'm officially IN my 40s now. And it's glorious.
Last year, for my 40th, I took a bucket list trip to Greece with my two favorite people in the whole wide world. You would think that would be impossible to beat, right?
RIGHT! 100%. 10/10. Highly recommend. BUT…
Now I’m 41 and I feel like life just keeps getting better. Like I continuously have more to be grateful for. Or maybe I’m just more appreciative and grateful for the things I already have.
I know that sounds a little finger down the throat, but humor me. Just hear me out.
There are so many things I could fear about aging, but they’re all beyond my control so what’s the point? And the truth is, while my 20 year old self thought 40s meant being a senior citizen, 41 is quite young.
I honestly don’t feel any older than I did when I turned 21…or 31. Sure, I’ve changed—thank goodness. I’ve matured. I’ve grown. I’ve lost. I’ve grieved. I’ve healed. Every decade can seem like a new lifetime, but through it all I don’t feel like I’ve aged 20 years since that 21st birthday.
Maybe I have a few more aches and pains. Maybe my hobby choices are different. Maybe I need the perfect pillow. Maybe my metabolism isn’t what it used to be. And maybe I do tweak my neck reaching for the highest Pyrex or my back while tying my shoe. Even so, I still feel like I can do anything I want.
I can hike. I can dance. I can work out. I can travel. I can cook. I can clean. I can run. I can throw a mean hatchet. I can learn new things and take up new hobbies. I can laugh. I can cry. I can love. I can be weird and silly. I can be sarcastic. I can write.
I might not want to anymore, but I still can do the same things I was doing in my 20s.
Eventually, age will be more than just a number. That’s life. But not today. Not in my 40s. Hopefully not even in my 50s or 60s, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
Right now, in this moment, life is good. No, life is great. I have so many things I never thought would be possible for me. And I have things my younger self never even knew she wanted. It’s pretty incredible and if things keep tracking the way they are now, it’s just going to continue getting better.
We only get one shot at this thing called life so why not live it the way we truly want to instead of dwelling on the uncertainties and fears?
I don’t know what the future holds for my 40s, but looking forward, I can only hope to continue aging gracefully, passionately, and full of curiosity + wonder. I aim to live more fully, love more deeply, travel more often, and most definitely write more books.
It’s simple: do what you love; love what you do.
Cheers! 🥂
Happy birthday!!