Why your 40s are Amazing

Me on my trek up Bear Butte

My 40s, in general, have been the best decade of my life. Does this mean I haven't had my share of struggles? Absolutely not, but there has been so much good that it outweighs the bad. For me, the decades between my youth and now have been highly transformative.

The 20s were all about figuring out the twisting, windy road that is adulthood. Making the transition from being a child to being an adult was a difficult one. Lots of mistakes were made, many dangerous situations were experienced, and a host of bad decisions were garnered. It's the nature of the beast.

The 30s were a little better in that I got a better grasp on this whole adult thing. I was a mom with two kids, working a low-paying job, and just starting to figure out finances. Mistakes were still made, but nowhere near to the same degree as in my 20s.

The 40s, by contrast, have been completely different. By the time my 40s dawned, I had motherhood down to an art, I realized the importance of my health and took control of it, I grasped finances in a skillful way, and I learned how to budget and plan for retirement.

But, by far, the greatest thing that happened in my 40s was my emotional transformation. I started figuring out who I was and what I wanted from my life. I learned that it was okay to say no and decided what it was I DIDN'T want from my life. I also gained a sense of self-worth and confidence that eluded me all the years up to that point. There's also 40-some years of wisdom that I've gained. This wisdom has helped me make better choices and smarter decisions.

The 40s are also great because I finally settled into a career path that pays decently and has decent benefits. I flitted around from job to job for years trying to find the right fit for me. Now that I have found that fit, it's nice to be grounded at a place that provides well and that I enjoy.

My kids are also nearly grown. This gives me a lot more freedom of movement. I can go out and enjoy time with friends or dates without having to worry about finding a sitter and when we do things together, I can take them to do more challenging activities. My kids being older means that I am closer to being an empty-nester and living out the next phase of my life, something I am looking forward to.

But, as my 40s wind down to a close, I know that there are so many great years ahead of me. The growth of my 40s will only serve me well in the decades to come. I know that those decades will be great ones as well, and I'm ready to see what they hold in store for me.

Have a great week my friends!