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Turning 40
It’s Not What I Thought It Would Be
When I was younger, 40 seemed like the ultimate milestone, a point where you’ve “made it.” I pictured myself settled, confident and wise, with every piece of life neatly arranged. But as I approached the big 4–0, I realized that reality doesn’t always line up with the expectations we set for ourselves decades earlier.
Now that I’m here, I can say one thing for sure: turning 40 is nothing like I thought it would be — and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
What I Thought 40 Would Look Like
I used to think 40 was the age when people became “real adults.” I imagined I’d have a perfect career, a stable financial situation, and just who I was. I thought 40 was when life slowed down, when you’d somehow figured everything out, and when the “what ifs” would finally fade into the background.
In my mind, 40 meant being settled — a word that I now realize doesn’t mean what I thought it did.
What 40 Actually Feels Like
Here’s the thing: at 40, I’m still figuring it out. And honestly, I’m not sure I’ll ever stop.
Yes, I have responsibilities, but I also still have questions, doubts, and dreams I haven’t yet chased. Life…
