40 Lessons I Learned by 40

 

Turning 40 hasn’t been high on my priority list. In fact, it’s safe to say I’ve been dreading it since the day I turned 30. The past 10 years have seemed to fly. Lately, I’ve been nostalgic for my younger years and yet doing my best to fully embrace this new decade with grace. Although my life hasn’t gone nearly the way I had expected it would at 20, I now know there was an even better plan in store for me. To top it off, I feel even better and more vibrant at 40 than I did in my 20s and 30s.  

To celebrate 40, my husband, David, planned a 5-day trip to Bermuda (separate post to come) and a weekend in my hometown of Louisville, Ky. with my family. I couldn’t have asked for a better or more memorable milestone celebration and as I reflect on the past four decades of my life, I’m overcome with emotion. 

The past few months I’ve been thinking more about all the experiences that have shaped 40 years of my life and the lessons I’ve learned along the way. Since I did something similar for 30, I’m doing it again for 40: 

40 Lessons I Learned by 40

One // You’re never too old and it’s never too late. 

Two // People will disappoint you. Don’t take it personally. It’s not about you. 

Three // There is always a silver lining. 

Four // Friendships require care and attention to thrive. 

Five // The best friendships will withstand time and distance. Recognize the ones that do and take care of them. 

Six // Those who matter don’t mind and those who mind don’t matter.

Seven // You are responsible for your own happiness. 

Eight // Anything is possible if you put your mind to it. 

Nine // Use sunscreen and take good care of your skin.

Ten // Always send a thank you note. 

Eleven // It’s ok to say “no”.

Twelve // Protect your energy. 

Thirteen // Fear is not an excuse. Feel the fear and do it anyway. 

Fourteen // Anything worth having takes work. 

Fifteen // Success looks different for everyone. 

Sixteen // The greatest gift you can give someone is to listen. 

Seventeen // How you do one thing is how you do everything. 

Eighteen // This body is the only one you have – take care of it. 

Nineteen // You can’t please everyone. 

Twenty // Change is inevitable so embrace it. 

Twenty-One// Nothing changes if nothing changes.

Twenty-Two// There is no better meal than the one you make at home.

Twenty Three // People will remember how you made them feel. 

Twenty Four //  Marry your best friend. 

Twenty Five // Show up and follow through.  

Twenty Six // Travel often. The greatest education comes from seeing the world. 

Twenty Seven // Set boundaries and adhere to them. 

Twenty Eight // Meditate daily. 

Twenty Nine // One workout can change your entire day. So can one matcha latte. 

Thirty // Sleep is free. Get as much as you can. 

Thirty-One// Finding your purpose is the most fulfilling thing you will ever do. When you hear the call, answer it. 

Thirty-Two// The greatest love you will ever know if the one you have for yourself. Only then can you truly and fully love someone else. 

Thirty-Three// Every experience has guided you to this moment. Be grateful for them and find the lessons.

Thirty-Four// Everything you need is already inside you. 

Thirty-Five// Fail and fail hard then get back up and try again. 

Thirty-Six// Know when to walk away. 

Thirty-Seven// Be kind. Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. 

Thirty-Eight// Never stop learning. 

Thirty-Nine// Know where you’re going, and take the road less traveled to get there.

Forty// Leave your comfort zone often, that’s where growth happens. 

Do any of these lessons resonate with you? Or tell me, one of the lessons you’ve learned from life. 

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