Still 39

You're still kind of young in your 30s, right? I mean, not midriff-baring young. Or binge-drinking young. But, relatively young.

I'm turning 40 in three days. I never thought I'd have a problem with 40. Or any age. In fact, when people complain about being old, it annoys me. I find it graceless. I throw all the platitudes at them: But you're wiser! And more distinguished! And you're so much more interesting than boring midriff-baring, binge-drinking youngsters.

Sigh. Now here I am. About to flip my first digit to a 4. And, yeah, I'm freaking out a little.

I started compiling a list of activities I could still get away with as a 39-year-old that maybe, when I'm 40, not so much. I reasoned that if I busted out three a day, I could fit them all in before Friday. 

They were all things like Go Clubbing. Get Hair Extensions. Toss the F-word around without caring who hears it.

Which, really, if I'm mourning skanky hair, pounding beer until I can't see straight and cursing, then forty's probably not going to be so bad.

I'm pretty in touch with my inner old soul as it is. I am prone to sitting around and listening to the quiet (or a brook! or Matlock! Not really!) and knitting. I cannot consume more than two glasses of wine on any given night. I like slippers.

So what am I freaking out about, really? 40! Who cares. I scoff at 40. 

I will kick 40's ass and make it wish it were 25.

Comments

[Alexis]

I turned forty in June and it has been surprisingly nice. I find that I'm able to let go of many stupid insecurities that I had when I was younger, and I can just relax and be perfectly fine forty year old me.

Happy Early Birthday!

[mrs.chicken]

Haven't you heard? Forty IS the new 25.

Happy birthday. You are fabulous at any age.

[Chris]

I felt like you prior to turning 40, and now that I'm a couple of years into it, I kinda dig it. You will too. I just know it.

[JJ]

40 did throw me a little off - I mean entering a new decade. This year though I turned 41! Now that was a little more difficult and I don't really know why - I think it is harder seeing my daughter grow up - she turned 13 this last summer and I think that was bothering me more than my actual age. But 41 means I am officially INTO my forties. Yup and I have the gray hairs to show it! But the forties aren't really bad - what's a number really? I don't feel like I imagined I would feel at 40.
So, happy birthday - enjoy it - be happy to have another year roll around!

[inthefastlane]

ooo...I like slippers too. And sipping hot tea, while reading a book.

I am old...and still only 34 (at least for a few more months).

[kcinnova]

Happy birthday a few days early! You share a birthday with my SIL; however, *she* is turning 50! So you see, you are still young. Forty is for the intelligent moms at the elementary school. Forty is girls' night out. Forty is also hot tea and a good book and slippers. Forty is knowing how to appreciate silence...sometimes. Forty is the best of both worlds.

[grabbing the heels of 43 and hanging on for the ride]

[anne nahm]

My grandmother is 93. She always said that thirty was better than twenty, and that forty was better than thirty. It seemed hard to imagine she might be right when she told me that. Maybe because I was a beer swilling twenty something then.

But she was right about thirty being better than twenty. So maybe she's right about forty too.

Happy birthday :^)

[slouching mom]

happy birthday, friend. and you've got it under control, believe you me. after all, i started a BLOG around turning 40.

you're doing GREAT.

and the forties, well... they're just like the thirties. really.

[Michele]

Don't freak out!

I thought turning 30 sucked but 40? It was great. Being in my 40s has been even better. The kids were easier to take care of (or dare I say it; out of the house), I'd finally got up the courage to finish my degree plus grab that master while I was at it, and get a job that I love. Now that I'm looking 50 in the eye (thank you husband for the less than gentle reminder last night) I'm actually not worrying about it at all.

Happy Birthday a little early. If you still feel the need to freak out grab a couple of glasses of wine and you'll be asleep in no time. LOL

[Leslie]

I am hot on the 40-trail....and I have mixed emotions about it....but I know it will be good. As we discussed, it's fun to tell people how old you are and have them say "you are not, no way!"...I have a feeling that will go on for a decade, or forever...
XOXO

[mrs. g.]

Forty is excellent. You make it look good.

[Madame Queen]

Forty is going to be awesome! And you've still got it. Age is just a number, right?

[all things BD]

Hey, 40 is like two 20's right? Am I right? I don't know what I'm saying, but 40 can't be old because I'm three years away from it and it's getting LARGER.

[Heidi]

Happy Birthday! You are a better woman than I am. I just turned 38 (yah Dec birthdays!) and I am totally that person who complains about getting old.

[Cactus Petunia]

The other day, my husband referred to our daughter and her boyfriend as "the kids", and it hit me that his parents used to refer to US as "the kids"! Is it possible to get old without noticing?

It just goes to show you that no matter how old YOU think you are, you're never as old as other people think you are!

Happy Birthday!

[Kristy]

When I was a teenager, I wanted to skip my thrities and go to 40, because the 30s seemed Mom-ish and frumpy, and 40 seemed glamorous and sexy. My youngest will be 6 when I turn 40, so I'll still be Momish, but at least i won't have any babies or toddlers!
40 is hot.

[Bossy]

Wait until you start clocking years in your 40s!

41, 42 -- it just never stops. The joys.

[carol at A Second Cup]

I loved being in my forties. You can do all those thing (except the F word, so not me) and do them with elan.

[Pocklock]

I'm not turning 40, but we do have the same birthday! Happy Birthday to you!

[Katie in MA]

Even better - you will kick 40's ass, give it a new look, and make it FEEL like 25!

[Susan]

Was I supposed to stop saying the f-word?

[The Introvert]

Look on the bright side: you could be like me and be 29 yet feel 40.

[Stephanie]

Oh 40? honey... As a previous commenter said "after a few years into it, I have found that I kinda dig it". Of course I paraphrased that.... It is true, I DO dig it! You gotta remember that you don't HAVE to act your age...