I just thought I would share my experience of turning 40 as it is one of those milestones that we achieve with mixed feelings.

I decided to go in denial and took a mini sabbatical to Latin America to learn Spanish instead of having the big 40th birthday party with friends and family. I spent the initial part of the trip with a travel age of 35 thereby celebrating my “36th” birthday party in wine country at an asado with fellow travellers!

I think 40 gives you the confidence to try out new experiences such as a 50km bike ride in a gorge, scaling a precipice over a waterfall barefoot, socialising with fellow travellers a decade younger, being wined and dined by men a decade younger…

I have to say reaching 40 was a blast and perhaps I should not have been quite so in denial about the number. In any case, it can often be a catalyst for change and I certainly turned the experience into an adventure!

Needless to say I have not achieved the traditional benchmarks such as marriage and children and was able to take off on a whim..