This is the Year that I Turn 40

Ah, hello 2017. I was born in 1977, so yes, this year, I will be 40.

It’s a funny old age as it seems to be such a big deal, and clearly I am aware of it as it’s there in my mind as the new year comes in. My birthday’s not until June so it isn’t as though it is right on the horizon.

The plans? The Husband’s birthday is four days before mine so we always have those few days off together. His falls on a Friday this year, which just so happens to be a day that Little Man is in nursery and mine is the following Tuesday, which just so happens to be a day that Little Man is in nursery – he only goes for two days a week so we timed that well! I’m not too sure what we’ll get up to yet on our actual birthdays, but we will be going away together for the weekend in between, just the two of us. No doubt it will involve castles or books and plenty of eating out, as it is all about me.

So I suppose because we already have lovely plans forming, it is something to look forward to this year. Maybe that’s why it’s on my mind?

Hmm, I’m not sure it is just that. There is something about turning the big 4-0. I’m not concerned or upset over it, age has never been a thing for me like that. Inside I am still 17. Or at most 24. I’m not too sure quite where I stuck at, but as my best mate turned 40 a couple of weeks ago I did look at us and wonder where the years have gone. We’ve been friends since we were 12, and it does not feel like we have known each other for 28 years and it only feels like yesterday that we were staging our own festival in her back garden (basically us and her sister, a tent, a CD player and warm cider), taking our weekly trips into Birmingham to buy gig tickets or music and moaning about our history dissertations together. Remember, Em? We were around 16-17, so many years ago, but the years have flown by in the blink of an eye. I know, I know, that makes me sound so old already, mulling over how time flies!

I am not planning on doing the bucket list thing or desperately trying to lose weight/master a new skill/change my look or whatever it may be before I am 40, because to be honest if I wanted to do these things age is irrelevant, I’d just do them! But what I am finding myself doing is looking at where I am at now and appreciating it. I have a wonderful husband, happy and healthy kids and am fortunate enough to be surrounded by lovely family and friends. So I have all I need.

40 does make me think I should feel more grown up though somehow, perhaps pay more attention to my longer terms plans, make sure pensions are performing, get health insurance, think retirement? Nah! It hasn’t happened so far with each passing birthday or the birth of my children, so I can’t help but suspect that this milestone won’t make any difference either. So I will simply take from 40 what is offered to me – a weekend away, a bigger fuss over my birthday and more presents? Maybe?! That’ll do for me.

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post 

 

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25 thoughts on “This is the Year that I Turn 40”

  1. My husband turns 40 this year too, I’m 3 years behind him. It does sounds like such a grown up age doesn’t it? Like suddenly you’re a real grown up even though you don’t really feel like one. A weekend away sounds lovely though 🙂

  2. Snap Jocelyn ! I turn 40 this year too (November). I definitely want to celebrate, I really fancy going for a weekend in York with lots of relaxation and pampering. Here’s to 40 🙂

  3. My husband turns 40 next month! When I turned 40 it was just a few months after our daughter was born, so I wasn’t celebrating and it just sort of passed me by. I guess reaching a milestone age does make you reminisce more and wonder where the years have gone. 40 is great though, it’s such a good time of life so enjoy every moment and fit as much as you can in. xx

  4. I opened this all smug, and then realised, it’s 2017… I turn 40 next year.. how did that happen? I’m completely with you. One of my besties turned 40 last year, and we had a wonderful spa weekend… but it doesn’t feel like yesterday that we were in college together.
    I think I’ll be treating turning 40 exactly the same as you- I would really like to do something special- fortunately my birthday falls near a bank holiday weekend, and as long as there’s cake- what more could a girl ask for?! (Well, stationery of course!).

  5. I spent half a year getting annoyed about turning 40 and no one making a fuss. So a weekend away and taking it in your stride sounds much better. I don’t think I will ever feel like a grown up! Xx

  6. This is exactly how I felt about turning 40 – it sounds like a big number but somehow the magnitude didn’t quite sink in. Even now! But it was fun celebration, but like you say, when you still feel 20-something inside it’s difficult!!
    Sounds like you have a lovely wkend away posted and what good planning!!
    Happy new year to you xx

  7. I turn 40 in 3 years and definitely do not feel like a grown up at all. I feel about 24 too and I’ve been that age for a few years now, and I’m quite happy with it it. I think your plans sound really perfect for your 40th…or 25th 😉

  8. I think, like Glastonbury (we’ve still not quite made it there, have we?!) we should set up a stage and have another back garden festival to celebrate! Bring your wellies – I’ll provide the prosecco! It’s just a number but it still needs celebrating. Xxx

  9. I’ll be 40 too this year, in March which is pretty soon, and I haven’t quite got my head round it yet! I definitely don’t feel grown up enough, but in the end it’s just a number and the goals I have for this year have nothing to do with my age. I think you have the right approach, just enjoy it!

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  11. Awww, that was us last year. My husband turned 40 and then I did a couple of weeks later. We didn’t do anything too extravagant … a really nice meal with family and friends. Forty does feel a little different, though. Not old, but definitely older. You’ll have a lovely year, I’m sure x

  12. Great post Jocelyn, I turned 40 in 2016 and can confirm that it’s really not that bad! I had a busy spell running up to my birthday so quite honestly didn’t give it too much thought – and in a way I think that was a good thing. I did feel a bit more reflective about it at New Year and wrote a post on some of the things turning 40 had taught me. However like you I don’t really feel any different than I did years ago. Forty is the new thirty now anyway! – Or maybe that’s just something people over 40 like me say:)x

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