Turning Forty | It's Always An Adventure

Posts Tagged ‘Turning Forty’

FORTY!

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged 40 the new 20, Celebrating a birthday with family and friends, Confidence in who I am at this stage in my life, GirlsHBO, Life in NYC, Living in Manhattan, Scalini Fedeli, signs of aging, TAO, Turning 40, Turning Forty, YOLO on June 4, 2012| 3 Comments »

The big day has passed. Yesterday I turned the big 4-0. Yep, I have entered into a new decade. And, I have to say, I was pretty spoiled. Last weekend I hung out with some fabulous friends in Mt. Tremblant, on Wednesday my incredible NYC girlfriends took me out to a wonderful dinner at TAO, on Friday Ron and I ate ourselves silly at Scalini Fedeli and yesterday I was showered with love by the girls. I am definitely feeling like a very lucky woman. But I guess it would be a little bit weird if I turned forty and didn’t take a bit of time for some reflection.

Here I am around 1, I know I was pretty darn cute 😉

The other day someone said to me “Are you okay with turning forty?”. I thought that it was a bit of an odd thing to say. Whether I am ready or not the reality is I AM turning forty and really there is nothing I can or could do about it. I could try and lie about my age but once you have kids that is definitely impossible, my girls went around telling everyone all weekend that it was their mom’s birthday and that she was turning forty… thanks kids =) And then of course there was a lot of people telling me that 40 is the new 20 and that is what really got me thinking and reflecting. Is 40 for a woman really that freaky, am I old, do I wish I was 20 again? Good questions.

A few weeks back I tried to watch the show Girls on HBO and I tried, I really tried but I just didn’t like it. I think one of the reasons I couldn’t even get through the first episode was because I just couldn’t relate to that whole crazy 20 something lifestyle anymore and I didn’t want to go back there either. The whole awkward dating, casual sex, trying to find yourself, getting your first job, trying to be independent… NO thank you. Also, I see enough of those girls on the subway, the ones that only talk in questions, you know what I am talking about -“I am going to this party this weekend?”, “there is a new store on fifth avenue?”, “Steven and Katie are fighting?”(insert annoying lilt at the end) that I really didn’t need to watch it on my tv. Don’t get me wrong there could be a bit of jealousy involved too- sleeping in on weekends, running without a sports bra, never needing a babysitter, all envious things but not nearly enough to make me want to be 20 again!

I mean there are definitely times when I am feeling the whole age thing. How many times can I possibly get a Groupon for botox, teeth whitening, magic diet pills or laser hair removal before a little bit of anxiety about the appearance doesn’t start to settle in. And of course there are subtle changes to the old bod, for those of you in my generation and beyond, you know what I am talking about, all the rest, I will spare you the details and you can keep the romance (and denial) alive for a few more years 😉 Today I had to google YOLO because I didn’t know what it meant. The irony is it means You Only Live Once. So, yes there are somedays when getting old(er) is a bit scary. Although, c’mon twenty somethings it is our age bracket that has brought back a little bit of sexy with “50 Shades”…

On the whole, 40 you are looking pretty damn good. I am living in a city I love. I am surrounded by incredible family and friends. To me 40 brings with it confidence, compassion, acceptance, understanding, strength, lessons learned and of course a willingness to tackle new adventures even if it scares you. I have many 40+ role models to follow and I think I will be looking forward rather than back.

Thank you for all of the well wishes. Cheers to many more years of fun and adventure, S xoxo

Blowing out the candles! Here’s to many, many, many more years to come =)

Read Full Post »

2012: The Year The World Ends And I Turn Forty. Huh.

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged Emerald Nuts Midnight Run, Getting Old, Happy New Year!, Lack of Resolutions, Life in NYC, Living in Manhattan, Not Sweating the Small Stuff, reflections, Resolutions, Staying Fit, Staying Young, The End of the World, Turning Forty on January 1, 2012| 2 Comments »

Well, hello 2012, looks like you arrived with a bang. It seems just like yesterday that we were ringing in the year 2000 and now look where we are. It has not escaped my notice that the year I turn forty is also the year that the Mayan’s predicted the world would end. Coincidence? Maybe. I am going to run with the theory that those of us born in 1972 are such “wild child” types that the world can’t handle all of us heading on in to middle age together. Yep, that is my theory. It makes me feel better, so there!

As I ponder Forty and a new year, a few thoughts come to mind. Does Forty make me feel old? The answer is yes and no. I definitely feel old when I see my former students on Facebook reach milestones such as 25th Birthdays, University Graduations, First Jobs, Marriages and Babies (!!). Yep, that definitely makes me realize that I am heading towards the rocking chair. But on the other hand, former students still talk to me, I know what Facebook and Twitter are, I have a Blog, can keep up with social media and pop culture references AND I went to the JayZ/Kanye concert. I can’t be THAT old, right… right????!!!!! *Sigh*

So, as I head as gracefully as I can to the age of Forty in this new year of 2012 I guess I can’t help but reflect just a little bit. I am not a big resolution maker, I think that resolutions are just a way to set yourself up for failure. “I resolve to cut chocolate out of my diet”. Sure, it sounds good in theory on the 1st of January but there is no way that it is still going to be happening by (if we are honest), January 2nd! So, instead I am going to reflect.

I am going to try really hard to not sweat the small stuff this year, knowing full well that I will. Because that is what I do, just ask Ron. I can’t help it. Someone has to and it is me. I like to worry. Cut me a little slack, I do live in NYC and there ARE a few things to worry about. “Seriously, where DO they take the garbage??” But I am going to try and worry a little less. Sometimes you need to just let some things go. It is what it is. I realize that. Woooosaaaa!

I am also going to keep up with this whole running thing. I am not going to resolve to get skinny this year. It is not going to happen. I have never been skinny, EVER. Even when I was in the best shape of my life I was not skinny. Not going to happen. Instead I am going to concentrate on being strong. Running with fabulous women and feeding off of their incredible energy and friendship is powerful. We are healthy and running and that is definitely something to be grateful for.

I am going to continue to do a few things that scare me. I just got into the NYC 1/2 Marathon. This is equal parts terrifying and exhilarating. I am in the middle of my training and this will be one of the most challenging yet rewarding fitness goals I will ever achieve. I still can’t decide if I might just be a wee bit insane 😉 This is the year I have to get back in the job market. Also a daunting and exciting task. Nothing moves slowly or comes to you in NYC, I had better step up my game!

Finally, I am going to remember that there is a lot of fun to be had and to keep the laughter alive. There are days when it is easy to take one’s self a little too seriously. We are all guilty of that. I am going to try and pause and find the joy in small moments, everyday. Because, if the world really is ending, I would really hate to have spent the last moments worrying about the last 5 pounds I wanted to lose instead of having that wonderful piece of dark chocolate 😉 Happy New Year family and friends!! I wish you all the best for a fabulous 2012. You are ALL invited to my Fortieth birthday party in June!!

Here are a few pics from our latest NYC adventure as we rang in the New Year by participating in the Emerald Nuts Midnight Run in Central Park. It was an unbelievable experience. A few thousand people running in the park, fireworks and people cheering you on as you did a 4 Mile loop in the park. Awesome!!