We dread the process of maturing and aging. Another birthday – especially with four in front – makes us panic, because it means that the period of first youth is behind us. But does mature age actually have so many disadvantages? Maybe life just begins after forty?
Maturing and aging are natural processes that affect each of us. Nevertheless, we are not ready for them. The awareness that we are getting older every year makes us anxious. We live with the belief that from a certain age onward, only limitations await us. This is how we see the fortieth birthday, among other things, as if the front four excessively – and, of course, negatively – impinges on our past life, health, appearance, success, sense of happiness. Crossing this magical boundary will not make us useless and infirm overnight. In fact, it’s only up to us to face the natural process of maturation and make the most of each stage in life.
Can life begin after forty? It can! But it can also continue at its best before then. We don’t have to wait for this stage at all, but we don’t have to fear it either. So what’s it like with this life beyond forty?
Surely everyone has heard the popular saying that life begins after forty. On the one hand, it sounds like a mantra repeated by people who are afraid of aging, but forcefully try to convince themselves that it won’t be so bad after all and the best is yet to come. On the other hand, hearing such words, one may get the impression that life at earlier stages cannot be successful enough until one is past forty. Both beliefs are quite damaging and probably have little to do with reality. This period, with forty on the back burner, can be as fascinating as any previous period, but also any subsequent period. Certainly at this age one already has some experience and skills that we should be proud of.
Forty is often filled with fear, and should rather be associated with peace and stability. At this age, we are usually well established professionally and financially liquid. Our children are often older now and don’t require constant care, so we have more time for ourselves. And since we have money and time, we can use it in any way we want, such as traveling around the world, attending various workshops and courses. And in such a context, the saying that life begins after forty is most accurate.
The older we get, the more we accept ourselves. At a younger age, we tend to be very self-critical, pointing out imperfections and beauty flaws to ourselves. We try to strive for a perfect image. As we get older, we learn to appreciate the capabilities of our bodies, it becomes more important that it works well, not that it looks good.
After forty, we are more conscious. We know what we like and don’t like. We know what gives us pleasure and what we need to avoid to avoid feeling unpleasant. We are aware of our weaknesses, but we also know our strengths. We are confident in our own worth, we don’t have to prove anything to anyone, and we don’t have to pretend to be someone else. Being aware of what we have experienced, we feel comfortable in our own skin. And this is probably the best thing about life after 40.
main photo: pixabay.com/StockSnap
