I can’t believe that this year I will be 40 years old. The big 4-0. Officially over the hill.
I’ve learned a lot on this journey so far. And it got me to thinking:
What do I wish I could tell my 20-year-old self?
I answer this question in a post that I’m very excited is being featured on The Huffington Post today. Would love if you would check it out!
Cheers! 🙂
You got on Huff! Congratulations! This inspires me to try again. Also, great name for your blog. I love plays on words.
Thank you so much, Melanie!! And all the best on HuffPo!
Congratulations Faye! And trust me, when you turn 60, 40 seems incredibly young. Chances are good that your advice will continue to benefit you. ~Kathy
Thank you for your kind words, Kathy!
I think 40 is the new 20, and therefore 60 is the new 40. At 56, I do not feel over the hill quite yet–very happily sitting on top of that hill and looking toward new hills 🙂 Congrats on being published on Huff!
Thank you! I was just saying to a friend who turned 50 this week that 50 is the new 30!
Definitely travel. And your word is everything. All good reminders. Great post. Congrats.
Thanks Wendy! Couldn’t agree more on the travel – I can’t wait until my kids are old enough so we can start it up again.
Ah yes, to be able to go back! But then we’d end up somewhere different than we have if we had done it differently. I really agree with the ‘become a parent’ and ‘do you’ ones.
I would agree with most of these, especially the travel one. Parenting is one of those things that is not for everyone, however. Though I have three kids, have always wanted kids, and can’t imagine my life without them, being childfree is a totally legitimate life choice. I have three sisters who are childfree, and they are doting aunts. One sister is an artist in NYC who travels the world, but always makes sure to travel to our town to make the kids’ birthday parties or dance recitals. Another sister of mine is like a second mother to our children. There are ways to nurture and love the next generation without taking on the parenting role. My third sister fosters dogs and has the time I don’t have to check on our elderly father and help him out.
I couldn’t agree more! This piece was intended as mid-life advice for me specifically, definitely not for everyone. In my case, I hemmed and hawed about having children for way too long – so if I could go back, I would tell myself to just do it! BUT I completely understand and respect that it’s not the right choice for everyone. Some of my best friends in the world are childfree by choice, and live amazing, fulfilled, happy, wonderful lives (lives that I’m living vicariously through them at the moment, while I’m home with three little ones). So I absolutely agree with you. Just in my personal case, I wish I hadn’t waffled so long on children because for me they ended up being the right choice.