The party for my 40th birthday seems to be a few days away and I am unusually calm. I was more anxious bidding my 20s farewell as compared to my 30s. It could be that I wasn’t bothered about my age back then. According to Gloria Steinem, this is what 40 actually looks like. Whenever people tend to ask my secrets, I only answer by telling them to drink heavily until when they get to the age of 35. The truth is that I owe it all to the wonderful genes of my parents. However, as I approach the age of 40, I am beginning to realize that there are some things you don’t do thereby making such a milestone very welcoming. Some of these will be listed below.
Stop Being Cool
You will start to become a complete adult somewhere in your 30s. This is when you come to realize that the grown – up future which you have been looking forward to in the past years is now staring you in the face. You will begin to face reality which is the fact that there isn’t anything more grown – up than the age of 40. My shoulders had dropped noticeable given such a realization. I was very cool while in my 20s during the time of working with a youth radio station in London. There was hardly any band that I couldn’t remember for the week. Although I still do have that passion for music, the desire to cram everything in other to stay knowledgeable has reduced.
Rather than looking for a genuine reason to like the pathos, I tend to be contented with not enjoying the Glastonbury performance of Lana Del Ray. I am also fine with voicing my opinion about her habit of smoking cigarettes while performing on stage.
Stop Being Cool
You will start to become a complete adult somewhere in your 30s. This is when you come to realize that the grown – up future which you have been looking forward to in the past years is now staring you in the face. You will begin to face reality which is the fact that there isn’t anything more grown – up than the age of 40. My shoulders had dropped noticeable given such a realization. I was very cool while in my 20s during the time of working with a youth radio station in London. There was hardly any band that I couldn’t remember for the week. Although I still do have that passion for music, the desire to cram everything in other to stay knowledgeable has reduced.
Rather than looking for a genuine reason to like the pathos, I tend to be contented with not enjoying the Glastonbury performance of Lana Del Ray. I am also fine with voicing my opinion about her habit of smoking cigarettes while performing on stage.
I am beginning to develop that ability to steer clear of people that are dramatic. The older I get, the more private I become. I discover myself avoiding those constantly complaining about their present situations over and over again – They may be enjoying the drama. It is kind of immature to remain in the middle of crises. While in my 20s, I never saw myself as someone that was dramatic. There was a time I discovered an email exchange which was old between my boyfriend and someone else. The content got me really panicking. This led to an apocalyptic drama even though he was someone I didn’t love. I really don’t have any idea about what could have led to the whole drama. Having to explain what happened back then seems really boring let alone living it.
You Stop Bothering About Having to Speak Your Mind
Those who have known me will want to think this doesn’t have anything to do with turning 40 – I have always been someone that is forthright. During my youth days, I was outspoken even though I wasn’t really sure of what I was saying on most occasions. Today, I now understand how to be constructively honest. Friends seek my opinion in search for the truth and I am always ready to provide them with such details just to avoid any drama (refer to the second point).
In a bid to make people understand my messages very well, I have started making use of old adages whenever talking. Some of them are empty vessels do make the loudest noise, barking dogs don’t carry bricks, and so on. I don’t have any idea why I am doing this – Whether it is because I am trying to get my British nature retained while staying in New York or becoming my father gradually, I can’t really tell. Whatever the reason may be, the truth is that I love it.
I feel very happy avoiding any night out. Don’t misunderstand this as I do love going on night outs most especially with friends. However, the timing has to be right – it needs to be between 2pm and 6pm hours. Even though I have started saying that the perfect nights are afternoons, no one seems to be buying it at the moment. You are likely going to find me having to accompany my daughter on playdates these days. This doesn’t mean you will not see me in bars sometimes though. Once you are 40 years old, your age will even be more highlighted if the people surrounding you are in their 20s. The only exception to this is once you are Leonardo DiCaprio which you aren’t in the real sense. Christian Slater who is before him seems to be gradually becoming Jack Nicholson.
You Care Less About Your Looks
This isn’t set in stone all the time. You will begin to notice lines deepened and necks loosened. For the first time, you will begin to accept how you look. After all, there is nobody trying to look that hard at you. We are the only ones taking time to scrutinize ourselves. When I was a teenager, I never liked my legs because I considered them to be shapeless. However, as the years went by, I started accepting them like that. I got used to them up to the point that I didn’t mind having to show them in public as against the past when I was over – conscious of how they looked.
After becoming a mother, I am more focused on taking care of my daughter up to the point of pushing out the little knowledge I once had about dressing myself. Right now, my outfit combinations are based on trial and error. I put on whatever my hand touches and I’m off.
My dad comes to mind anytime I think of becoming 40. I do remember that the year 1982 was when he celebrated his 40th birthday. Back then, it was expected that a nude element which was humorous be in the party. This made mum to get a Boob-a-Gram hired. It was a half – naked lady who added plenty of color to the party. She was sitting on the knee of my dad with mum next to them. There were also friends surrounding them.
The party was definitely one to be remembered in lots of regards as it was fun. I really hope that mine will turn out to be the same.
