Turning 40 is hard for me. Any words of encouragement to lift my spirits?

[fc3s2k]

Maybe it's time to buy a porsche!!! Or corvette.

[GermanyMatt]

I didn't fall over dead at midnight, so I'm having a good birthday.

I also ordered myself several pair of shoes from Allen Edmonds.

Thanks for all the jokes, thoughts, and advice.

Oh... Also this:

[TswaneNguni]

Originally Posted by GermanyMatt

I turn 40 years of age tomorrow (July 8th), and I've been dreading this birthday for several months now. I don't have any particular reason why, but turning 40 has really got me down.
It's going to be hard for me to be happy tomorrow and I'm afraid my wife is going to blame herself, which I absolutely don't want.

Any words of encouragement? I feel like a jack ass right now.

I felt a dip from 35-40 ...........then, from 41 upwards I got second wind BIGTIME !!! Hold on !!! 40s are fantastic !!

[LightOnAHill]

Originally Posted by Dr.Brian

Don't be ridiculous, forty is just a number.
Find out what the real reason is that you are down and do something about it.
If you're unhappy at work, do something to change it. Get new skills, look into other opportunities, etc.
If you're unhappy with your health, commit to change today and get to it. See a physician, join a gym, change your diet.
Bad habits. No time like the present to quit.
Problems at home, address them. Counseling, restructuring, refocusing, whatever it takes.
If its something else that you can't explain, there's no shame in asking for help, reviewing your options, and considering medication. If you're depressed enough for your wife to notice, you need to find out what's really going on and get to fixing it.
It's your birthday, you should be HAPPY!
Happy birthday! (in advance)

THIS!

It's clearly not you turning 40. It's something else, and you're blaming the 40th birthday. Best of luck in the mirror, good friend.

[White_Au]

Originally Posted by GermanyMatt

I turn 40 years of age tomorrow (July 8th), and I've been dreading this birthday for several months now. I don't have any particular reason why, but turning 40 has really got me down.
It's going to be hard for me to be happy tomorrow and I'm afraid my wife is going to blame herself, which I absolutely don't want.

Any words of encouragement? I feel like a jack ass right now.

Better to turn 40 than NOT to turn 40....

[tattooedfagin]

I hit 40 just over 4 years ago, my wife arranged a surprise party (which i nearly kicked into touch) & she then took us away for our 1st holiday in 10 years. It didn't bother me to be honest, just a number & another year wiser, have yourself a memorable day & don't let it get you down...best years are now ahead

[Kinnakeet]

Hey Mr. Germanymatt- HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY ! You did it! You just turned a new page- into the next chapter of your life's story!
Start "writing" amazing things- set your sights on doing something really cool with this coming decade!

[GermanyMatt]

Originally Posted by LightOnAHill

THIS!

It's clearly not you turning 40. It's something else, and you're blaming the 40th birthday. Best of luck in the mirror, good friend.

Gee, thanks Dad..

[Governor Cedric]

Thank God ... You could be turning 50 ...

Just relax .... Go out to you trusted AD and Buy a New Watch ... Celebrate!

[Lion]

It's just another day but of course a milestone in your life. If you have happiness in your life and find peace and serenity are important elements for success and to nurture your spirit then you will be fine. I use spiritual principles to guide my everyday life and strive toward learning...everyday, and finding enjoyment in my life.
Take it easy...Leo

[looking to buy]

I am now 66. I have never felt happier, healthier or more loved in my life than I do today. Hang in there. Attitude is everything.

[Roley]

You turned to page 40. Live it. Then look to see what's on page 41.

[G8RDPM]

Originally Posted by fc3s2k

Maybe it's time to buy a porsche!!! Or corvette.

Hope you had a happy!
If 40 is a problem,you do live in Stuttgart. There is a local solution,
and there is no substitute.

[cecilia]

I wish i was 40. that was a good age. dont you worry.
did you survive?
cheers and happy belated birthday

[DCgator]

Congrats on reaching this milestone. Be thankful you had a 40th birthday.

[Boopie]

Yikes! Turning 40 is particularly hard on a woman, I think. Without mincing words, looks do "expire" and older women become essentially invisible.

I'm now the age my mother in law was when I met my husband (43).

I'm in excellent health, having gotten into nutrition and fitness back in college. I recently saw my dermatologist to see about moles, sun damage, etc. When I asked about what to do about my wrinkles (I grew up in the Southern California sun), she said just to embrace aging, because there really isn't any other alternative.

I do have smile wrinkles around the mouth, but I figure that's much better than frown wrinkles on my forehead.

Other than that, I look and feel great...40 was tough (I imagine 50 will be tougher) but it's really just a number. Plus, only yesterdayI was "carded" at the grocery store when I bought some wine. When the cashier asked to see my ID, I told her that I'm old enough to have a kid who's 21!

I know many men in their 50s who say that is the best age to be.

So, just grit your teeth and carry on...there is still much ahead to be lived and enjoyed.

[Lisa]

Boopie, the mindset that women are valued based on their youth and looks is exactly what freaks out so many of us about the prospect of growing old. I don't buy it - because if I did I'd be terribly depressed! It's like telling ourselves that life is over once we get older. That's a dim view of the next 30 or 40 years, I'd say.

Getting older is the perfect time to assess what else we're made of, to appreciate strengths, intellect and life experience and stop being hung up on shallow (dare I say meaningless?) ideals that women are only worthy if they're young and beautiful. I'm looking forward to the next several decades!

[Bangel]

My advice, now that you've turned 40?

Keep going!!!!

Happy belated birthday.

[threemonkeys]

Originally Posted by Boopie

Yikes! Turning 40 is particularly hard on a woman, I think. Without mincing words, looks do "expire" and older women become essentially invisible.

I'm now the age my mother in law was when I met my husband (43).

I'm in excellent health, having gotten into nutrition and fitness back in college. I recently saw my dermatologist to see about moles, sun damage, etc. When I asked about what to do about my wrinkles (I grew up in the Southern California sun), she said just to embrace aging, because there really isn't any other alternative.

I do have smile wrinkles around the mouth, but I figure that's much better than frown wrinkles on my forehead.

Other than that, I look and feel great...40 was tough (I imagine 50 will be tougher) but it's really just a number. Plus, only yesterdayI was "carded" at the grocery store when I bought some wine. When the cashier asked to see my ID, I told her that I'm old enough to have a kid who's 21!

I know many men in their 50s who say that is the best age to be.

So, just grit your teeth and carry on...there is still much ahead to be lived and enjoyed.

I may be in the minority, but I finally embraced the fact I don't look 30 anymore. No more pulling out gray hair as I'm now going for the George Clooney look. But societies are funny when it comes to women and aging. You don't have to buy into it, though. I know many guys my age (46) that have no problem with women showing signs of maturity. Confidence, poise, perspective...please don't underestimate the attractiveness and, more importantly, value of older women.

[Dan2010]

Originally Posted by Boopie

Yikes! Turning 40 is particularly hard on a woman, I think. Without mincing words, looks do "expire" and older women become essentially invisible.

I'm now the age my mother in law was when I met my husband (43).

I'm in excellent health, having gotten into nutrition and fitness back in college. I recently saw my dermatologist to see about moles, sun damage, etc. When I asked about what to do about my wrinkles (I grew up in the Southern California sun), she said just to embrace aging, because there really isn't any other alternative.

I do have smile wrinkles around the mouth, but I figure that's much better than frown wrinkles on my forehead.

Other than that, I look and feel great...40 was tough (I imagine 50 will be tougher) but it's really just a number. Plus, only yesterdayI was "carded" at the grocery store when I bought some wine. When the cashier asked to see my ID, I told her that I'm old enough to have a kid who's 21!

I know many men in their 50s who say that is the best age to be.

So, just grit your teeth and carry on...there is still much ahead to be lived and enjoyed.

I have always like the looks of older women. My wife is 44 and I am 38. I happen to like the "wrinkles" personally. I look at younger women and think they look like snot nose kids..........lol.

[bewithabob]

here is the best advice-

[rr-nyc]

I was also a little down before I turned 40 in 2008. It's inevitable to think about getting older but at the end of the day, it's just another birthday... One that you should be appreciative of rather than dread.

I don't feel a day over 30 except I do take a little longer to recover from a hangover.

[pacifichrono]

Hey Matt, when I turned 40 in 1987 I now realize that I was still easily still in my prime and didn't really miss a beat till I reached about 50. I'm still running five mile training runs as I approach my 65th (gulp!) birthday.

Not to worry, buddy, 40 is no big deal. Enjoy your youth - - you are still VERY much in it!

[Silvio Mosiello]

Originally Posted by G8RDPM

Hope you had a happy!
If 40 is a problem,you do live in Stuttgart. There is a local solution,
and there is no substitute.

Lmao that was good!

[pfg1]

I woke up on my 40th birthday and could not read my alarm clock.......it lasted for a week......I then saw an optometrist who fitted me with a pair of bifocals......HA HA HA......the joke was on me.......nowadays having bifocals is the least of my worries.....Enjoy your 40th while it lasts!

[cruvon]

I am going to be 18 till I die:), try that!

[mikkolopez]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

It's a shame you dread your 40th. I had no problem with my 40th and even looked forward to my 50th.
Growing old is a privilege. I have too many friends that can no longer celebrate a birthday.
dP

This is so true. I turned 40 3 years back and it was not bad at all. I see the kids growing up fine and i can still chase them around. Better perspective in life and now I think first before jumping in ... also applies now to buying watches.

My motto now is "Enjoy Life To The Fullest"