
If you’re about my age you may remember those “over the hill’ parties our parents had when they turned 40. I’m having a hard time reconciling being ‘over the hill’ when I still feel like I’m 28. Honestly, where does the time go?
I wanted to share some thoughts I’ve been having on turning 40. Whether you’re younger or older than me, this feels like an important milestone and one worth reflecting on. And forgive me if this post seems overly sentimental, I’m writing this as I sit on our balcony watching the ocean in a hotel room in Oahu. I’m feeling very happy and grateful right now.

The last year of my life was a huge transitional period. After discussing it for years, Danny and I finally decided to move across the country to begin a new adventure. Prior to that, I felt stuck and uninspired. I needed a change and new scenery to open up my world and spark creativity and inspiration in my life. So we moved from Kansas City to Seattle, and honestly, it was the best decision. I love our new city and the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. I don’t know what life has in store for us, whether we’ll live in Seattle for the rest of our lives or if we’ll end up somewhere new, but I love knowing that anything is possible.
In the past year, more than any other time in my life that I can recall, I’ve become very introspective. I’ve started to consider what I want the remainder of my life to look like, the goals I want to accomplish, and the places I want to see. I get the excited feeling of butterflies in my stomach when I think about the future.

In my next few years, I want to travel (Paris, London, NYC!); I want to learn French; I want to continue my journey of personal development; I want to nurture the important relationships in my life; I want to eat many, many more croissants; I want to have a successful career as a blogger; I want to find my confidence and let go of self doubt; I want to take a photography class; I want to see beautiful places and show my kids the world; I want to buy another house and make it our home.
Most of all, I don’t want to settle for a life that I’m less than inspired by. This means different things to different people, but for me it means seeking out new adventures, being curious, and cultivating a life long love of learning and growing. In a recent podcast I listened to, the guest, an expert on aging, was encouraging listeners to think about midlife as a chrysalis rather than a crisis. This is how I want to view this journey of aging. That my best years aren’t behind me but in front of me. And that’s how I plan to live my next 40 years.
Cheers to getting older, my friends!
