So today is the day. The day that I have been dreading for the past couple of years. The day that I turn 40.
I have never really had a problem with birthdays in the past, but there is just something about turning forty. How can I possibly be 40? At times I feel that I am barely old enough to have kids and I’m sure I just graduated from university. How can I possibly be 40?
Sometimes I feel that the days are just slipping by unnoticed. I try to grab hold of all of those “little moments” but, at times, the chaos of life pulls them away. Time can be such a funny thing – it lulls you into feeling that it is moving slowly, that it will always be there. And then suddenly it is gone.
DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE PRINTABLE HERE
{8×10}
So I have made a little pact with myself – I am not going to let 40 get me down.
I am going to use 40 as a starting point. And I am going to make sure that I use my time to its full potential.
This past week my husband and I took a vacation to Mexico and it was probably the most relaxing vacation that I have ever taken. There was no rushing, no plans, no obligations. Instead, we rested, soaked up the soothing rays of the sun, and enjoyed the calmness that the sound of the ocean always brings. And I had time to read.
One of the books that I read was Better than Before by Gretchen Rubin {she’s the one that wrote The Happiness Project}. The book focuses on how to create habits that will enrich your life and how individual personality traits influences how habits are formed. I have a few too many “bad habits” that I have been wanting to change for years and I have decided that today is the day.
I learned from the book that I am an “obliger”, meaning that I can only seem to follow through on my goals if I have some kind of external motivation. The internal motivation to myself is not enough.
This was like a light bulb moment for me. When people ask me what I like most about writing a blog, one of my tops answers is that it motivates me to actually get things done – it provides that external motivation that I need. Light bulb moment.
I’ll be sharing a little more about my plans over the next couple of weeks but, if you too, have some habits that you would like to change {or just new habits that you would like to develop!} I would love to have you join me in this journey.
For now, I am off to enjoy being 40. 🙂
Happy Birthday Jenn! I hope the upcoming year is wonderful for you. I will hit that milestone next year and I still feel as if I’m only 17!
well, I must say that the anticipation of turning 40 was much worse than the actual event! Hope you enjoy your last year in your 30s and hopefully things just get better from here! 😉
A very happy birthday to you Jen. Life really began for me when I hit 40, I fell pregnant for the very first time in my life and I now have the most beautiful 11 year old Daughter 🙂
All I shall say is wait until you hit 50! I dreaded that day too 🙂
Lol! I’m not even thinking of 50 for now! Glad to hear you had such a wonderful 40s!
Happy Birthday Jenn, I hope you have a wonderful day!
Thanks so much Jill! Had a great day after all! 🙂
Happy Birthday Jenn! You are just a young one – I’m almost 57.
40 was a great year for me and my new husband. We had a one year old baby girl. My then 13 year old son always wanted to be a big brother. Then, just weeks shy of 41 little sister #2 came along and at 42 1/2 sister #3 came along and my son told me he was done being a big brother (he was 16)! Needless to say, my 40’s were the best but my 50’s have been even better! Being mom to 3 teen girls is trying but also fun. And to boot, I’m a grandma to an almost 3 year old and her 4 month old brother.
Life is great – a little unorganized at times but I’m loving every minute of my “old” age! I still feel like I’m in my 30’s.
Thanks for the print out – it’s a great saying
Wow! You had a busy start to your 40s!!! I’m sure your girls keep you young and how fun to have grandbabies!
Happy Happy Birthday. I had to laugh because at 40 your still just a baby compared to my 53 years. I have never looked at certain age milestones as a problem. I am looking forward to rockin 100. Life truly does get better as time goes on. I still feel like I am 21 and still get carded if I go out. I say party on each and every year. Celebrate because you will only be 40 once. No do overs. Make the most of it. I hope you have a wonderful day and a fantastic year.
I also just finished Gretchens book. Really enjoyed it.
It’s all relative, right? 😉 Thanks for your words of inspiration!
Happy Birthday! I agree with the motivators. I’ll have to give that book a read, maybe it will help me get moving again =) Oh, and thank you for the well said printable!
I honestly loved that book and am reading it for a second time! 😉 Hope you enjoy the printable!
Happy Birthday, Jenn! I really enjoyed reading your post…I will be hitting this milestone in a few years and I am trying not to dread it. Right now I can’t even say that number out loud LOL. Thanks for the pretty printable!
I think the anticipation of turning 40 is much worse than the actual event! Kind of glad I am over the hurdle! 😉
Happy birthday. You are going to LOVE being in your 40s. I promise! It is absolutely a new starting point. You know yourself so much better now (you obliger, you) and you know what you need to have the life you want – not the one your friend wants.
As soon as the shock of the number wears off, you’ll find tremendous liberation in this new season of your life.
Love, Meredith, 41 (almost 42)
Thanks Meredith! That is very encouraging!! 🙂
Happy 40th! I turned 40 in January and don’t feel as grown-up as 40 used to look when I was young! Guess my 8 and 4 year olds keep me feeling young. Thanks for sharing your journey! I started about a month ago and am working my way through the cleaning detox and Feb/Mar/April lists. I feel so much better and lighter! My sanity appreciates you!
Funny how perceptions change! lol! So glad you are enjoying the household diet! 😉
Happy Birthday!! Today is my birthday!! I turned 39 today!
I am actually looking forward to my 40th birthday next year very much!
I was abused as a child and never thought I would make it to adult hood.
My dad remarried when I was 6 after my parents divorced, my step mother is the devil reborn.
She was brutly abusive in ever way shape and form from that day until I left home at 18.
I never hoped or thought I would make it to adult hood. Now I am married and turning 39!
What a blessing, I am so happy, I love birthdays! They mean I survived!! 🙂
What a story you have! I’m so sorry about all of your struggles when you were younger but glad that you have emerged triumphant! Hope you have a wonderful birthday and year to follow! 🙂
Hi Jenn,
Happy Birthday! This printable is gorgeous and such a good reminder to slow down and enjoy each day! I’m totally printing it and putting it on display to remind myself daily!
Thanks Katie! It’s definitely always good to have a reminder! 😉
Happy 40th Jennifer! I’ll be there with ya next year. I’m off to order that book 😉 So glad you had a relaxing time in Mexico!
Hugs, Jamie
Happy belated Birthday! I felt like it was writing your post after reading it. I just turned 40 last September and felt all those same things. I recently saw the book you read in a local newspaper article and bought it myself. I too… The Obliger. Boy was it so true. So I’m looking forward to reading more about your new journey. I hope to make some new habits appear in my life! Have a great rest of your birthday month.
Yes, us obligers need to stick together so we have someone else to hold us accountable! 😉 Good luck with your positive habit forming and thanks for the birthday wishes.
Oooh this is gorgeous! Thanks for posting. Hello from Nifty Thrifty Sunday.
Thanks Melissa!
Happy Birthday!!! 40 wasn’t too rough for me, but in a few years it will be 50, that kinda scares me! UG! Good luck with forming new habits, they can certainly change your life! It is so cool to find out new things about yourself that will transform the way you think and the things you do, like a serious lightbulb moment!
Oh my goodness – I can’t even think of 50 yet!! lol! Working on the new habits slowly but surely!
Well, the big 4-0 is not too far off for me either… thanks for sharing your thoughts and the beautiful printable on our link up #ShareTheWealthSunday
Isn’t it amazing how fast it comes? Thanks so much for hosting!
Enjoy your 40’s! They can be great! Thank you for sharing this at the #SmallVictoriesSundayLinkup!
Thanks! That’s what I have heard! 😉
Happy Birthday! This printable is so truthful! Thanks for sharing at Motivational Monday!
Thanks for the birthday wishes and thank-you so much for hosting! Have a wonderful week!
Happy Birthday Jenn! I am turning 36 this year and I know 40 will be here before I know it. I will have to check out the book you read. I know exactly how you feel about time slipping by so fast. I can hardly believe it is already May! I know my biggest problem is I overschedule and overcommit so I am always rushing from one activity to the next never really stopping to enjoy the moment I am in. And before you know it, the moments are gone and you have kids moving out! I have heard that 40s can be the best years yet!
xo, Laura
Oh you are still a young thing – you can still say you are in your mid-30s! lol! I can definitely relate to the over scheduling thing – I’m hoping that I can learn to say “no” now that I am in my 40s!
Excited to feature you on A Little Bird Told Me Link Party!
Thanks so much Allison! 🙂
Happy birthday! I hope you have a wonderful 40th year! This printable is gorgeous. I’m even featuring it at our weekly link party!
Happy birthday. I love your printable – so true. My I remember my most dreaded birthday was 36 for some reason but that was eons ago. Thank you so much for sharing with Share It One More Time. Cathy