As I inch closer to 40-years-old I begin to get more jittery about my age. I’ve watched others go through their mid-life crises. I’ve listened to them declare their must-do’s before 40. I’ve heard them groan: “Man, I’m feeling old” as they get up off the couch. I’ve muttered to myself: “You’re only 40, for fucks sake”. But, in the past few months I’ve started to understand what they were complaining about. What worries were creasing their forehead and fuelling thoughts of botox and boob lifts. Thoughts of life passing me by have started to creep into my everyday musings. I’ve been trying to push them aside, ridicule them. Then today, I saw an old dude cruise past me on his Harley. He looked youthful and alive. He looked happy. He made me realise I have to get over myself. Age is but a number. I know people much younger than me who are like an 80-year-old trapped in 30-something-year-old body. I’ve known 60-somethings who have the adventurousness and curiosity of a child. I’m going to keep that vision of the bikie bloke in my head to remind me to keep young at heart and not be afraid of growing old. Instead, I will try and embrace it; even the saggy, wrinkly bits. Getting older is a gift. Extra time to cram more adventures into an already fulfilled life.
This is part of the gorgeous Maxabella Loves weekly blog hop.
Hi, I'm Bianca Wordley, I write about life.
This is a wondefully timely post for me. Thank you! Age is just a number, and indeed I hope to keep adventuring as long as possible, preferably without the botox and with the boobs I have! My 40th looms this year too. Mynlatest post is all about continuing the adventure.
Oh I’m hearing you. I turned the big 40 at the end of last year. I hired a huge bouncy castle and spent the day bouncing with my besties and kids. It was fabulous. Even my 72 year old mother got on and had a bounce – it made me so proud of her. My other half is turning 40 next month and he is off on his motorbike with 8 of his mates for a tour of Victoria for 4 days. Turning 40 MUST be celebrated :O)
Age is so but a number … it’s been *ahhem* a few years since I turned 40 and I’m having the time of my life. x
Yup. I always say that one day you’ll be 80 wishing you were 40. God willing! Embrace it. 😉 x
What Nikki said! I feel like the best is still ahead of me.
I love this, Bianca. Not only because you said it so wonderfully, but also because I will be the big 40 in September, I’m trying to stay focused and not freak out about the numbers. I just have to stay calm, and remember that there are cultures in this world who respect the elderly. Unfortunately, ours is not one of them. And it’s too sad. Because there is so much to learn from the wisdom of years.
So true. Life has definitely got better at 40 for me, LOVING IT!
As a fresh-just-turned 36y.o. i’m loving the fact i’ll be 40 in 4 short years. Age is just a number, really, we’ve all filled our lives with different things – travel, study, children. Just realised my 4th child will start high school when i’m 40, see, really cool things like that & 18 years of marriage. I’m the baby of my family so that fools me into feeling youngish. Love Posie
My grandfather is celebrating his 90th by having a party in Vienna. He’s a constant reminder that age is meaningless in many ways. Getting older is indeed a gift we don’t all have the luxury of. Great post.
I’m with you. I plan to learn to fly airplanes when I’m 70. I figure I’ll be less scared by then as I’ll have less to lose.
I’m turning 30 on Monday and I was feeling a little anxious, but you’re right…it is but a number and I’m still free to act like a child! (in the good way that children are curious and adventurous, not in the bad way that I throw temper tantrums and whine a lot!)
It just gets better after 40, trust me.
Plus you can swear and not have to apologise. Bonus.
LCM x
That is such a fabulous way to look at it; “Getting older is a gift”, you are so right, I am filing that away for when my birthday rolls around.
You’re only as old as you feel – this week I went flinging about on a giant swing and clambered up a climbing wall faster than the 10y.o.’s (at school camp) because I don’t feel old (yet) – I’m sure the day will come when I need to slow down a bit…but in the meantime…
Everyday is a gift – and not everyone gets the wonderful opportunity to complain about how crappy getting older is 🙂
have a great weekend
xxxCate
Age is just a number!
I fully intend to retire at 40 (August this year) and lie on the couch. x
There was a bloke last week on Australian Story..Monday ABC..who was 85 odd..who had just toured Australia on his motorbike. I think as you get older the trick is to not focus so much on what you look like and what other people think of you…but what you want to acheive and what you want to grow into..what type of character you’re becoming…for me anyway..I’m in my 50’s!
*laughs, nods and laughs some more*
oh you’ve just summed up my thoughts on inching closer to 40 perfectly!
I remember thinking 30 was old…then it was 40…then 50…and now I’m going to say 97. This is coming from someone who competes with her 5yr old at mistakenly thinking we’re 25. I am over 30, but under 35. But if anyone asks, I’m still 25.