The Empowering Epoch: How Turning 40 Can Be an Invigorating New Start (2024)

Each decade of life marks new opportunities for reflection, growth, and assessment of where one is in life. I turned 40 this summer, and my mind was preparing for that long before the date arrived and has been reflecting on it well after. There were many moments of emotions and observations that came with approaching 40. I found myself reflecting on how fast each decade has passed, remembering the friends and family who have come and gone, and, of course, memories of the past and present — some happy, some sad, and everything in between.

I am not a person who likes to dwell too long in the past. I believe we need to pay homage to our past because it is what shaped us and makes us who we are today, but I prefer to keep marching forward. For me, that is the only way to get the best of this life we have. I wrote this blog today to share some positive observations I have compiled for those of you getting ready to turn 40 or those who have reached your 40s but are still getting comfortable with that number and need a little boost of confidence as the journey moves forward.

As the saying goes, “Life begins at forty”. This isn’t just a comforting phrase or a means of consoling yourself as you approach what might seem like a daunting milestone. I decided to look at turning 40 as a time of life rich with potential, teeming with opportunities, and brimming with the kind of wisdom that can only come from years of experiences. Let’s delve into the ways this significant chapter in your life isn’t a diminishing point but rather an empowering epoch and an exciting threshold to even more fulfilling adventures.

1. Mastery of Self-Awareness

By the time you reach 40, you’ve likely become well-acquainted with your strengths, weaknesses, passions, and fears. This self-awareness is a powerful tool; it means you no longer strive to fit into someone else’s mold or seek approval indiscriminately. You have learned the art of saying no, you prioritize what’s truly important, and you understand the value of your own voice. This is a time of authentic living that is genuinely liberating and forms the foundation for continued growth and success in personal and professional endeavors.

2. Enhanced Relationships

With age comes the refinement of social circles. As you turn 40, relationships are less about quantity and more about quality. You’ve learned to cherish those friends and family members who truly add value to your life and to release toxic or unfulfilling relationships. This season of life often brings deeper, more meaningful connections, rekindled relationships, and the joy of new friendships formed around mutual respect and common interests.

3. Wisdom and Patience

The impulsive decisions and immediate gratification of youth give way to the measured and insightful thinking of your 40s. You’ve weathered enough crises to know that patience, resilience, and an open mind are key to overcoming adversity. This wisdom impacts every aspect of life, from the workplace to the home, allowing for a long-view approach to life’s challenges and dreams.

4. Health and Vitality

Turning 40 is a wake-up call for many regarding their health, but it is far from a downhill journey. Armed with the knowledge of how lifestyle choices impact well-being, this can be a revitalizing period where you undertake fitness routines, healthier eating habits, and wellness practices that can ensure your later years are vibrant and active. It’s not uncommon to see individuals running their first marathons or joining dance classes, proving that vitality is not the exclusive domain of the young.

5. New Adventures and Learning

The confidence that comes with four decades of life often inspires a willingness to try new things, pick up new hobbies, or pursue travel adventures. It’s a time characterized by a hunger for continued learning and growth. Whether it’s learning a new language, diving into a new book genre, or moving to a new city, the world opens up in unexpected and thrilling ways for those who reach this milestone with an open heart and mind.

6. Embracing Self-Confidence and Fearlessness

One of the most empowering aspects of reaching your 40s is the newfound sense of self-confidence that permeates various facets of life. You’ve faced enough challenges to know that failure isn’t the end but rather a learning opportunity. This decade often ignites a kind of fearlessness — an understanding that risks are worth taking, especially when balanced with wisdom and experience. You’re more likely to stand up for what you believe in, make big moves like changing careers or starting that business you’ve been dreaming of, or even embracing smaller, personal transformations that reflect the true you.

7. Redefining Priorities and Values

Turning 40 often comes with a significant shift in priorities and values. This period allows for introspection and evaluation of past decades, providing a clearer picture of what truly matters. For many, this is a time to focus on personal growth, family, friendships, and passions. Some might find a calling in activism, volunteering, or participating in their community, driven by a desire to contribute and make a difference. This redefinition is a powerful reminder that you are not defined by societal expectations but by the path you carve for yourself.

8. Renewed Focus on Happiness and Contentment

As you move into this phase, there’s a profound understanding that happiness and contentment are integral to your well-being. There’s a shift away from external validations of success, such as status or material possessions, towards what brings genuine joy, peace, and satisfaction. This might mean more time spent with loved ones, hobbies that inspire and captivate, or simply moments of quiet reflection. The 40s are a time to stop postponing happiness for future milestones and start living it in the present.

9. Preparation for the Future

While the 40s are a time to live passionately and embrace the present, they’re also a period for thoughtful preparation for the future. This includes not just financial planning but also understanding and making choices that will impact your quality of life in later years. It’s about proactive wellness, creating and nurturing relationships that sustain you, and building a life that continues to have purpose, excitement, and stability as you age. This forward-thinking approach, blended with living in the moment, strikes a balance that leads to a fulfilling life.

10. Expanding Horizons Through Travel

For many, the 40s bring about a time of exploration and adventure that might not have been feasible in earlier years due to financial constraints or family responsibilities. With a sense of financial stability and, often, more independence as children grow older, the world becomes your oyster. Whether it’s backpacking through Asia, taking art classes in Europe, or exploring hidden gems in your own country, travel broadens your perspectives, offers new experiences, and adds a thrilling chapter to your 40s.

11. Spiritual and Emotional Growth

Spirituality doesn’t necessarily pertain to religious beliefs. In your 40s, you may find yourself delving deeper into the realms of meditation, mindfulness, or yoga, exploring your spiritual side, or connecting with nature and the universe on a more profound level. This journey can foster emotional growth, equipping you with the tranquility and strength needed to face life’s ups and downs. It’s a time for emotional healing, forgiving, letting go of past grudges, and moving forward with a lighter, more liberated spirit.

12. Lifelong Learning and Intellectual Curiosity

The 40s often debunk the myth that education is only for the young. With an ever-curious mind and the advantage of online courses, community classes, and workshops, you might find yourself diving into new subjects that interest you or advancing your knowledge in specific professional areas. This intellectual curiosity does more than just keep the mind sharp; it keeps life exciting and dynamic.

13. Final thoughts

Embracing your 40s is about recognizing that this decade is a rich tapestry of life, woven with threads of experiences, learnings, achievements, and setbacks. It’s a time that encourages a forward-looking mindset, not with anxiety but with a spirited and reasoned optimism. Every thread has its purpose and place, contributing to the vibrant, resilient, and ever-expanding canvas of your life.

As you stand on the cusp of this significant milestone or navigate through it, remember that age truly is just a number. It doesn’t define you; rather, it refines you. The world isn’t shrinking around you; it’s expanding, offering new adventures, love, learning, and a deeper understanding of both yourself and the life you wish to lead. The 40s are not just an age to be reached — but a space to be felt, lived, and thoroughly enjoyed.

Wishing you well,
Ivy

The Empowering Epoch: How Turning 40 Can Be an Invigorating New Start (2024)

FAQs

The Empowering Epoch: How Turning 40 Can Be an Invigorating New Start? ›

Turning 40 often comes with a significant shift in priorities and values. This period allows for introspection and evaluation of past decades, providing a clearer picture of what truly matters. For many, this is a time to focus on personal growth, family, friendships, and passions.

What is the significance of turning 40? ›

"Turning 40 is a time of reflection to take stock of who you are at this time in your life, which include the values, friendships, jobs, relationships, and thoughts you hold dear," says clinical psychologist Tricia Wolanin Psy. D.

Is it true life begins at 40? ›

While life does not necessarily "begin" at this age, it symbolizes a stage of newfound maturity, self-awareness, and opportunities that may not have been as apparent before.

Can you start a new life at 40? ›

Starting over in life at 40 can be a transformative experience, opening up avenues to a more fulfilling life. By exploring your passions, building on your strengths, and strategically planning your path, you can successfully navigate this transition and achieve your dreams.

Why is 40 a great age? ›

You Understand Age Is Just A Number

Once you turn forty, you realize you don't feel any differently. You can still do everything you could do before. You're strong, intelligent, busy and confident, with some life experience behind you and much more ahead. You don't suddenly become old at 40.

What is significant for a 40th birthday? ›

What makes a 40th birthday special? A quote from W. B. Pitkin states: “Life Begins at Forty.” The literal term for a 40th birthday is called a “Ruby Jubilee.” Forty is spiritually significant since it marks the middle of your life.

What does 40 represent spiritually? ›

So it is, then, that – again, Scripturally speaking – “40 means something”, as it brings to mind such qualities as repentance, newness, preparation (say, for an important work or task), self-examination, transformation, task fulfillment, escape from bondage or slavery (such as to sin), nourishment and growth (for ...

What is the purpose of life begins at 40? ›

More an extended essay and exhortation than a detailed self-help book in the modern sense, the general thrust of the book is that, given the current conditions of the world, one could look forward to many years of fulfilling and happy existence after age 40, provided that one maintained the proper positive attitude.

What is age 40 called? ›

A person between 40 and 49 is called a quadragenarian. A person between 50 and 59 is called a quinquagenarian. A person between 60 and 69 is called a sexagenarian. A person between 70 and 79 is called a septuagenarian.

How does life change after 40? ›

Life after 40 is a transformative phase filled with opportunities for self-discovery, reinvention, and personal growth. It is a time to embrace new horizons, nurture relationships, prioritize well-being, and celebrate the wisdom gained through years of experience.

Is 40 too old to reinvent yourself? ›

If you're over 40 and not too thrilled about where life has taken you, it's time to reinvent. You can't allow another year to go by without any change or growth. Get out of your own way. I can help you but only if you really want to be, do, or have more.

How do I restart my life in my 40s? ›

This can involve setting new goals, challenging oneself to step outside of comfort zones, and embracing new experiences. Whether it's through self-reflection, therapy, or personal development workshops, prioritizing personal growth can lead to a more fulfilling and balanced life.

What is the best career to start at 40? ›

Best paying jobs for a career change at 40
  • Translator. ...
  • Real estate agent. ...
  • Personal trainer. ...
  • Event planner. ...
  • Occupational therapist assistant. ...
  • Paralegal. 2022 median pay: $59,200 per year. ...
  • Healthcare administrator. 2022 median pay: $104,830 per year. ...
  • Human resources manager. 2022 median pay: $130,000 per year.

What is the magic of turning 40? ›

You can turn to anything that you want to. It also means you can turn on your passion, turn on your greatness, turn the page, turn the corner and move on! You are halfway through life, but you still have the second half.

What is so special about 40 years? ›

This period of years represents the time it takes for a new generation to arise (Numbers 32:13). Several early Hebrew leaders and kings are said to have ruled for "forty years", that is, a generation. Examples include Eli (1 Samuel 4:18), Saul (Acts 13:21), David (2 Samuel 5:4), and Solomon (1 Kings 11:42).

Why is turning 40 awesome? ›

By the time you turn 40, you've likely learned to accept yourself for who you are, flaws and all. You're not afraid to be yourself, and you're more confident in your own skin. A few wrinkles and gray hair no longer scare you.

What is special about the number 40? ›

1. Forty is the only number in English whose letters appear in alphabetical order. 2. Minus 40 degrees, or “40 below,” is the only temperature that is the same in both Fahrenheit and Celsius.

What is the significance of 40 years in the Bible? ›

The three great Hebrew kings — Saul, David and Solomon — were each said to have ruled for 40 years. That's no coincidence. Forty years is considered a generation in the Bible (i.e. a new group of Israelites that rises up, sustains itself, then dies off).

What is the saying when you turn 40? ›

"At twenty years of age, the will reigns; at thirty, the wit; and at forty, the judgment."

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