49 Things I learned in my 40's
My 50th birthday is coming up this Friday (March 24th) and I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting over the last decade and what being in my 40's has meant to me - how I’ve grown, what I’ve learned about myself and the world and my place in it.
For anyone else hitting this milestone soon or is already in the second half of life, what else would you share or add to this? I’d love to know.
Also, for those officially in the second half of life…how’s the water? What should I expect in my 50’s?
49 things I learned in my 40’s.
The pandemic and aftermath made me more resilient
Losing my Dad helped me focus more on the most important things in life; my relationships
I can start a business by myself
And that business can thrive!
I learned about graphic design, technology, marketing and bookkeeping just from running my business.
Getting to know your kids at different ages and developmental stages is essential
Democracy in the US is not a sure thing and we need to always protect it
All about Culinary Nutrition
I learned how to write and self-publish a book
Quality of friends way more important than quantity
That I can live without dairy and eggs with no problem.
I long for travel
and sensory experiences
All about Eating Psychology
and Mindful & intuitive Eating
How to stop dieting and learn to accept my body
How to communicate better with my loved ones
To be on my anti-racist path
That rights like roe v. wade can never be taken for granted
How to cook kick-ass vegan food
That my once great eye sight and teeth have finally declined
To use my senses to derive the most pleasure from life
That I tend to turn inwards during a crisis and isolate
how to be grateful for the mundane and little pleasures in life
That I’m obsessed with pumpkin seeds
That I likely have ADD and answers many questions from my youth
That my sensitivity and empathic nature is a superpower, not a flaw
That I have a spiritual and woo-woo side to me - I’m woo-curious
Sex gets better in your 40’s.
Bladder control does not
I learned how to move my body in a way that feels good to me and aligned with my lifestyle and body mechanics. No more forcing myself on an elliptical.
That there is still so much hate in the world and I was naive to think it wasn’t right there the whole time
That chronic stress manifests on the body in nefarious ways
How to slow down and not just due to aging
That I prefer audiobooks to regular books
That I’m more creative than I ever ever gave myself credit for
I need animals in my life, always
How to home-school during a pandemic
That I’m turning into my parents…and that’s ok!
How to do a headstand in yoga
How to create and run a virtual summit
How to be less black & white and more nuanced
That there is still so much I can and want to contribute to the world
That my curiosities are endless and I don’t see it slowing down in my 50’s or ever
How to communicate better even while feeling intense emotions
That I’m an ambivert, not the extrovert I always thought I was
Friendships change, morph, grow and sometimes grow apart - something I wasn’t able to admit or accept in my 30’s.
That they weren’t kidding about raising teenagers
That no matter what age or stage I am at or will be, there is so much to explore and do and discover and learn and I’m grateful to have made it a half century and look forward to whatever is next!
What would you add to this list in your own experience? Comment below!