So glad I found people feeling the same way I do! The dread of turning 40 has literally hit me overnight, eventhough I don't turn 40 til Feb 2010. With me, it's the close proximity of 40 to 50 and then yikes 60, all of a sudden it just doesn't seem that far away and I wondered if I've squandered the last 10 years - I should have seen this coming! Women have a tougher time too, there's more pressure on us not to age! I don't have kids, it was never a priority but now I'm wondering if it's too late, i'm unsure about the long term relationship I'm in, oh hell!! Good luck to everyone, let's just lie about it afterall it's only a number right!

dear mike,
i hope you are feeling more empowered!
congratulations on your recent birthday!
so often we believe the hype that the time to create newness in our
lives ends after a certain age...you have a grand opportunity to
create anything you want out of your life at anytime.
take a class and learn something new that you have always wanted to know, learn how to tango, take a road trip, fall in love with yourself!
may you feel peace and joy in your spirit and may you feel love that liberates! peace and many blessings!

I Welcome 40! March 13, that just happens to fall on a friday. But i do consider this a lucky day Friday March 13th. I myself am not married, I have no children, I do not own a home. I believe every woman wants that fairy tale wedding, and happily ever after. But I find myself very grateful for the life that I have lead, filled with adventures, good people, and lots of laughter and tears. I am looking forward to 40, I am at the point in my life I think what is next? what do I do? I can do anything? I have set a few goals, but also am going to just sit back and ENJOY MY JOURNEY....PEACE TO ALL WHO ARE TURNING THE BIG 40...LEE

I'm so glad I came across this blog. I'll be turning 40 in June of 2010. I just broke up with a boyfriend recently, in a dead end job and I sometimes wondered if it's too late for me to achieve my dreams of a career, husband and children. I try to shake that low feeling off because I know I can still achieve my dreams but I can't help but question that. Thanks for the encouraging posts I will be coming back here more often.

Lisa, dreams will happen if you open yourself up and let them. 5 years ago I was 35, single, living in another country with debts & nothing to call my own. I had resigned myself to the fact that I may mever get married or have children (I desparately wanted children). My mother gave me some sound advice, just relax for a change and have some fun, enjoy life. So I did. I started casually dating a man I worked with & we accidently fell pregnant! I left him in the UK and travelled home to Oz with no job, no money, no car, no home & was scared out of my head. Luckily I had the most amazing family to fall on.
I turn 40 this week. My son is 4 1/2, the father of my son & I got back together and were married a year ago. We still don't own a home, but we have come a long way and are happy. Our next dream is to have another baby and at 40 I am terrified but also excited. And our big dream is to still own our home.
Heh we started later in life, but we had fun along the way and we know who we are now and what we want.
I always said I would rather be happy alone, then unhappy with someone. Live your life for you, the way you want and do whatever you need to to fullfill yourself, your dreams will come true.....some of us just have to wait a bit longer. Be happy.

I will be 40 next July... I'm not in a relationship, don't own my own home, haven't got any children (don't want any!), and i'm currently unemployed!
Sounds bad eh?!
My life previously has been great, i've lived my life how i've wanted, travelled, had many great experiences, met many great people, i've been free! Oh, and i don't feel or look my age either!
Now i'm starting to panick... shouldn't be having this much fun... should be more responsible, have a morgage, job, husband blah blah blah!!
So yeah, down in the dumps! I know i shouldn't be comparing myself to others and be bogged down by what society says, so i'm going to try and shake these thoughts away and get back to being ME again!!
40 is a fresh start so let's welcome it! :-)

I turned forty last month and it has brought in a depression I cant seem to shake. i am starting toquestion things I never did before. I guess Im experiencing the bad side of it...feeling older and being viewed that way. Any suggestions appreciated!