If you don't have a great attitude about turning 40, now is the time to turn things around.
Becoming "middle-aged" doesn't have to be a negative thing. It all depends on how you look at it.
Listed below are some tips that will help you start looking forward to turning 40 and enjoy this new decade of your life.
Keep these in mind and your 40th birthday (and all the birthdays that come after it) will start to seem a lot more special.
The Best Things About Turning 40
You might be "over the hill," but that doesn't mean there's not a lot to look forward to when you turn 40. The following are some of the greatest things that come from entering your fourth decade:- You have fewer feelings of insecurity and are less self-critical
- You're better at trusting your gut
- You realize that everyone's struggling, no matter how perfect things look from the outside
- You've lived through more and are more resilient as a result
- You're more comfortable rocking your own unique style
- You're less afraid to try new things
- You're less afraid to set boundaries
Forty is the perfect age to start making changes, too. If you're not happy with the direction your life has been headed, make a commitment to start changing for the better as your 40th birthday draws near.
How to Get Excited About Turning 40
Clearly, there are lots of reasons to look forward to your 40s. Do you still need a little push to start enjoying the fact that you'll be turning 40 soon? If so, consider trying one (or more) of these tips:1. Plan a Party
What better way to celebrate your 40th year than with a fun party?If you want to control the narrative and avoid a lot of "over the hill" jokes, take the reigns and plan the party yourself with the help of a few trusted friends or family members.
Remember, it's your birthday; you get to control the narrative. Choose a theme that appeals to you and plan a menu of your favorite foods and drinks.
Make this party all about you and what you want. This will help you set the tone for the future and remember all that you have to look forward to in your 40s and beyond.
2. Make Time for Yourself
At this point in your life, you've probably spent a lot of time doing things for other people.Whether you've been taking care of children, catering to your partner's needs, or bending over backwards to please your boss, it's likely been a while since you did something for you and you alone.
If this resonates with you, now is the time to change things. Make a plan to do something for yourself.
Schedule a massage. Get a pedicure. Put a Do Not Disturb sign on the bathroom door an take the longest bubble bath of your life. This is another great way to set the right tone for your 40s.
3. Make a Bucket List
Start thinking about what you want to do in your 40s and beyond.What kind of experiences do you want to have? What kind of trips do you want to take?
Set goals or make a bucket list for yourself and display it somewhere prominent so it stays in the front of your mind.
4. Learn Something New
You're never too old to learn something new. Why not celebrate your 40th birthday by learning a skill?Whether you pick up an instrument, take up yoga, or arrange for cooking classes, there are lots of things left to learn at this point in your life.
5. Reach Out to Your Friends
As you get older, your social circle tends to shrink. There's nothing wrong with this; people grow apart, and that's okay.If you do have people in your life to whom you want to stay close, though, now is the time to make an effort and let them know that you want them to stay in your life.
Make plans with your friends and express your love and appreciation for them. This will help you ensure you get to enjoy the next 40 (or more) years with people you love by your side.
6. Remember, Age is Just a Number
Many people have a lot of negative associations with turning 40. This doesn't have to be something you dread, though.All of these fears that people have about the 40th birthday are totally arbitrary. They only have as much power as you give them.
Now is the time to start changing the way you talk to yourself and the way you look at your 40th year.
7. Think About Your Financial Future
If you haven't been paying attention to the financial news and thinking about your financial future, 40 is the perfect time to start. This is a great time to get your finances in order and make sure you're on track with your retirement goals.Is this the most fun way to spend your time? No, not really. However, when the time to retire rolls around, you'll be glad to dedicated some time to financial planning when you turned 40.
Do some planning now so that your future self can thank you. Sit down with your accountant or financial advisor and ask them what steps they recommend you take so you can retire in style.
Are You Looking Forward to Turning 40 Yet?
As you can see, there are lots of ways you can make your 40th year -- and all the years that are going to come after it -- extra special.Keep these tips in mind whenever you start feeling insecure about turning 40 or start wishing you were younger.
Do you need more help getting excited about the future? If so, we've got lots of other great lifestyle articles on our website.
Whether you want to learn about taking up a new hobby or the best way to eat to promote long-term health, we've got an article for you. Check them out today!
