A stressful life event (or two, or three) is a normal, expected part of being a forty year old woman. Turning forty is a once-in-a-lifetime event! You believe — you must — that your best work is ahead of you. I came home to find the children have all somehow disappeared. Not fatally, but enough that I walked around in a fog for a week, wondering how I could have dampened the impact. Be friendlier. Take care of your friends’ kids for the day. Consider These Styles, 127 Years Without a Male Cover Model, Until Harry Showed Up, This LGBTQ+ Black Couple Show It’s Still Possible to Live Your ‘Whole Truth’, The World's Foremost Scientific Communicator Wants to Be Your Teacher, LGBTQ+ Community Members Share Their Personal Coming Out Stories, 6 Expert Tips for Managing Your Money During Coronavirus, Best Sex Positions to Improve Your Sex Life. Have you been single for too long? It feels good to be turning the big 4-0. The days of smashing cheeseburgers and beer with impunity are over. Well, at least that we can remember. Then dress that way. I wave it off when I'm asked now. Have you always wanted to play the piano or take up rock climbing or develop video games? How this decade treats and changes you will depend on how you approach it. 1 of 20. Make new friends. 1. ). 40 Powerful Things to do Before Turning 40. Every 40-year-old man needs to know how to cook at least a few quality meals. Find yourself a local dodgeball team or a beer league you can join. This is also where toning down your vices can have a mitigating effect on what’s left of your youthful looks. Apologize to that person you’ve owed an apology to for a while. You can, however, slow them down by adopting a skincare routine complete with wearing sunscreen, moisturizing and using products free from harsh chemicals. Where did the last 40 years go? And now that you’re turning 40, isn’t it a good time to actually learn how this stuff is made? Whatever your passion, or whatever you enjoy in life, make sure you feed your soul with what inspires you. This gift list has many thoughtful ideas that will make turning 40 a day to remember. I am sad. You’re an authority figure now. This can’t be emphasized enough. Turning 40: Bucket List Of 40 Things To Accomplish. Your follicles seem to be in active rebellion as hair sprouts from inside your ears while your eyebrows start growing like they’re on steroids. One way to keep the balance is to take up a cause. You’re the one they’re looking to. Mortgage payments, college tuition for your kids, retirement, a rainy day fund – all of these things depend on you making smart financial decisions, which is easier said than done. Eat less garbage. Once you reach a certain point, it’s just better to shave your head and be done with it than try using hats, comb-overs and top knots to give people the illusion of a full head of hair. Take care of your friends’ kids for the day. Just the one friend who “threw” the party. And if you really want to, you can have a dance party in your … Giving a portion of your time and talents to improve the lives of others can make a world of difference and it is the best legacy you can leave behind. Biology doesn’t cut men off the same way it can with women when it comes to child-rearing, but nonetheless, chasing small kids around takes a lot of energy so if it’s something you want, don’t wait much longer. It’s not a big deal ... until it is, and then it’s expensive and painful to handle. Turning 40 was a little bit terrible. Do whatever you want to do, not what people want you to do. And I felt like I had lived a truly full and fun life, which made turning 40 not as bad as I had thought it would be. Stress is a literal killer. I want a party. On the other hand, at 40 you are much wiser and than you were at 21 and many consider it the start of the best part of life! Turning 40 is a major milestone. Even if she isn't excited about turning forty, she'll be surprised and delighted by one of these thoughtful and unique gift ideas. Please, stop calling it the new 30 or 20 – it’s 40, and it’s coming for you. Younger people, mostly, because the ones who arrived before you don't need to be told. Not only did I never think I would turn 40, but I was shocked to make it to 27. Go for it, whatever that is, without any hesitation: You’re halfway done. Plan your retirement: Start saving money or buy real estate. In the meantime, here are 20 ideas that will make turning 40 fun! Don’t go to your grave with a bunch of unfulfilled fantasies. My daughters weren’t there. While this milestone birthday often comes with groans and gripes, turning 40 doesn't have to be a bad thing. Wrinkles are likely starting to make a home around your eyes and forehead. Throw yourself your own 40th birthday party. Skip the swim up bars and sun loungers and go somewhere truly exotic on your next vacation. This brain has served you well for so long, but it starts punking you when you turn 40. View Gallery 20 Photos BRIAN WOODCOCK. Keep emergency kits in your house and car. Take one hour a day once a week to do something for yourself. So when this happened, it was quite a surprise. You’ve accomplished so much, and you’re right where you want to be. Be generous with your knowledge and experiences by guiding someone who’s just entering the game. No one’s saying you have to retire all your torn concert tees but, as a forty-something, you’ll want to make sure you have some good options for business, casual and formal events, too. A chili cookoff, a scavenger hunt, a family roast, a country getaway … anything. Take a nap during the day, or at least shut your eyes—and don’t allow interruptions. ". If you don’t, don't. after you hit decade number four. Have you always wanted to dress a certain way? Feed your soul. The next day you eat half a tortilla and gain 17. I am hysterical. The harder you struggle against it, the more you suffer. Instead, find a few that are feasible and discuss them with your partner. “What we do is we take everything from the digital invitation and create a customized invite through Paperless Post, assigning a Zoom ID to that invite,” Reichert explains. Make them all special so people who come appreciate spending $100 on a sitter. Skip it. My wife wasn’t there. Be good enough at a few meals that people go out of their way to ask you to cook it for them. You couldn’t live without your morning—and 3 p.m.—caffeine boost. Go somewhere international that you’ve never been. It can’t be stopped, so why not choose to embrace it? Many people dread the aging process. Print photos and create beautiful photo albums to remember and reminisce about your life. Looking for a new career? You need a retirement plan. It’s time to get your affairs in order. So ask yourself – do you want to spend the rest of your life making someone else rich, or would you rather start your own business and make yourself rich? Not only is it easier to put on weight now as your metabolism slows down, but threats like heart disease and diabetes are more real than ever, so start subbing greens for grease and hedge your bets. After you turn 40, you can eat 400 calories a day for six weeks and your body will release three pounds. Many men will find their hair thinning if not totally falling out in their 40s. Throw yourself your own 40th birthday party. But this is a list of things to do at least ONCE before turning 40—and there’s no reason to stop working on it (or stop adding to it!) We’re talking stir fry, shepherd’s pie, roast chicken, omelets, spaghetti sauce or the perfect steak. Get those dating apps going. For men and women turning 40 years old, these beer can koozies are great table decor. So turning 40—it's all good. RELATED: These Are the Health Screenings You Should Be Getting At Your Age. RELATED: Here's Where Your Career Should Be at Every Age. People will expect you to enjoy drinking wine. Life's too short to carry around unnecessary anger. You don't have to complete every task on this list, but if you can check off the majority you'll likely be in a great state physically, mentally, socially and emotionally by the time your 50s come around. Your finances are going to play a big role in your life from now on. Instead, embrace the changes we all go through and reframe your expectations to account for the new reality of being an aging human being. Not only will you feel unburdened, you might just rescue or rekindle an important relationship. But aging is inevitable. My 40th birthday arrives this week and I have become a wreck. Learn how to build a fire and a shelter. If you're coming up on this milestone birthday and you're unsure of how to celebrate it, we gathered some 40th birthday ideas to choose from, whether you're looking to mark the occasion with a small, medium, or large group. Get over the mental hurdle and book an appointment. The youthful ease with which you pretended you would never die is fading away. I’m all for dancing like no one’s watching, except that the majority of the time someone’s definitely watching. 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Find whatever works best for you and be diligent about implementing it whenever you feel your stress levels rising. Stop smoking. Your 20s were a time to experiment with personal style. You deserve a big celebration, so go all out on this one. These 40th birthday ideas for him, are sure to make it something he’ll remember for a long time. But the confusion of figuring out the best way to celebrate this milestone is bringing you back to the directionless chaos of your 20s (don’t get us wrong, being 24 was fun, but Mountain Dew and mango vodka? These 40th birthday gift ideas for your wife will make her feel special on her birthday. Turning 40 and seeing all of those “over the hill” birthday cards is enough to make 40-somethings want to hide out. Being part of a team, exercising and meeting new people is a great trifecta to keep you feeling young. 40 Things I Can Do at 40 That I Couldn't Do When I Was 20 01/03/2014 02:31 pm ET Updated Mar 05, 2014 It seems like just yesterday I turned 20, celebrating with a double-layer chocolate cake, some vodka-laced Jello shots and my five college roommates. Forty is the new 30. The first batch of gift ideas list includes elegant, thoughtful 40th birthday gifts for women. Take one hour a day once a week to do something for yourself. People will ask you how you feel about turning 40. I also want to tour Nashville attractions during the day. Taking a coffee roasting class at your local coffee shop will not only be highly informative but super fun. Here Are Some Easy Ways to Make Friends, This Is How Nate Berkus and Athena Calderone Do Holiday Entertaining, MyDomaine uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. But at the same time, it really hit me hard. Do something you’ve always wanted to do but were too scared to. When I turned 40, a friend of mine threw me a party. Here are 10 things you should do … Watch less TV. This goes great with not caring about what people think. I have decided that on the way to turning 40 I will make a bucket list of 40 things that I hope to accomplish by the time I hit 40 years old. At least once. My friends and I all LOVE country music, good food, and drinking. See a look you'd like to emulate in a magazine. If you don’t, don't. You likely have a certain amount of expertise in a given field. You no longer have all the time in the world to try things so if you’re halfway interested in doing something else, give it a go. Whatever your perspective, these quotes on turning 40 are sure to help you set just the right tone. No matter how hard we try, we all commit wrongdoings from time to time. As you enter the next phase of adulthood, you may want to reconsider how you dress for the part. Get several 12-packs of these can coolers for happy 40 birthday party supplies and vintage dude themed parties. In your 40s, you’ll probably have a better appreciation for things like business class, luxury resorts, single malt whiskeys, sports cars, etc. Chances are, there’s a ton of documentation about your life scattered throughout the real and online world. Your brain contains myelin which helps improve your performance on when learning new things. Dr. Frank Lipman says there are ways to build muscle, and in turn burn calories, no matter what your age. 1. Don’t let your marriage stagnate. Time to pull all those disparate threads together into an archive that you control. As I turn 39 these are all of the things I would love to say I’ve accomplished in one year from today. Memories fade, especially as we age. As a single, working mum, navigating a new city for us, it should have been a lot harder. I got a job in Sydney, and took my son away from our settled life, in search of adventure. Those tannin-soaked hangovers actually will do you in. Go straight to the “brown stuff” phase of life. This is perfectly natural and nothing to feel bad about, but rekindling an old friendship can be incredibly rewarding and takes little more than an email or Insta DM to get started. © 2020 Ziff Davis Canada, Inc. All Rights Reserved. These 40th birthday gift ideas for women will add a dash of fun, creativity and playfulness to this celebration. Plus, you’ll end up with the option to rent out your space or sell it down the line for a tidy profit. Maybe your 40th birthday means it’s time to celebrate an unexpected stage of freedom. I don’t want a party. You forget why you walked into a room. The second batch contains unique, creative ideas for fortieth birthday celebrations that involve experiences – which I explore more in Creative Things to Do for Your 40th Birthday.. First, though, I want to tell you what my husband’s gift to me was on my 40th birthday…nothing. And if they are, it’s time to find a way to cut them out. Try hiking in the Himalayas or dog sledding in the Arctic circle. I wave it off when I'm asked now. So, if you eat the same stuff at 40 that you did when you were in your twenties, you will definitely gain weight. Turning 40 is the perfect time to focus on keeping your mind active. Make sure the fruits of your life’s labor end up in the right hands after you’re gone. Sharing a fantasy can bring the two of you even closer together as long as you’re honest and willing to be flexible. I had a long and emotional day and organising a last-minute birthday party for myself was taking its toll. You can learn a lot online but it’s almost always better to have a live instructor there to correct you and peers to bounce ideas off of. So to ensure you make the most of your 40s, we curated a list of the 40 things you should when the big day approaches. This one tends to happen naturally, but just in case, 40 is your cue to stop caring once and for all about what other people think of you. Do the things you want to do with abandon and let any haters waste their time hating. Get all your photos and documents into one place and make at least two backups. Know how to perform CPR or fashion a splint. 10/17/2014 08:43 am ET Updated Dec 17, 2014 The other week, someone asked me "What's one thing a woman can look forward to about turning 40? Everyone knows you’re supposed to live healthier as you get older. Make your life richer by giving it a go. But this is a list of things to do at least ONCE before turning 40—and there’s no reason to stop working on it (or stop adding to it!) Relish in the sense of accomplishment when you master a new skill or you learn something new. 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