Turning 40 For A Woman: Why It’s Just The Beginning

When I was a teenager, turning 40 sounded like a lot of gloom and doom. The idea of being “over the hill” haunted me and trying not to turn 30 single, made me do some really stupid things. But as I am fast approaching 40, I just couldn’t care less. So, what does turning 40 for a woman mean in today’s world?

So you’re turning 40 and wondering is it really that bad? Let me tell you; not only is it exceptionally awesome to reach your fourth decade, it is a great feeling too.

Once you get out of the society imposed BS thinking about what you should have achieved or should stop doing by the age of forty, you embrace a super uber liberating feeling, a power that enables you to be you and do you; f*cking anything that makes you doubt yourself (respectfully).

Culturally, women have been taught that after 30, as we approach our midlife, we start losing our vitality, appeal, charm, and drive. But, what if I tell you that 40 is an age of breaking free, empowerment, and emotional and spiritual wellness?  

Instead of seeing turning 40 as an endpoint, see it as a chapter of new beginnings. Turning 40 for a woman means living intentionally while nurturing mental and emotional well-being.

Emotional growth strengthens as we grow older, often balancing the inevitable physical changes.

Turning 40 for a woman can be the best experience she has ever had. Here I have compiled a list of things that can make your 40s the best years of your life and why you should look forward to this milestone!

Turning 40 For A Woman: Why It’s Just the Beginning

Here’re 10 things that will make you believe turning 40 as a woman is a blessing!:

1. You Become You, More, and Unapologetically

In your 20s and 30s you might have tried hard to please; to be the cool girlfriend, the understanding friend, the agreeable employee, or the dutiful daughter or mother who puts her needs after everything.

When you’re reaching 40, you realize the brevity of life and the futility of shrinking yourself to fit in or make space for others dawns upon you. Dimming your light just because it’s shining in someone’s eyes seems to be absurd and unnecessary.

You don’t owe the world a watered down version of yourself. So, you become you, unapologetically; messy, wise, powerful, and real.

2. You Define Your Beauty and Appeal

Becoming 40, you realize beauty and appeal are not measured by a weighing scale, a tape, or by the number on your driver’s licence.

You stop giving a hoot about being the youngest one in the room, instead, you focus on being the most authentic, the most alive, the most sincere, the most you!

Beauty becomes all about health, glow, self-care, and being comfortable in your skin. You have earned those crow’s feet by laughing too hard and those stretch marks by living a lot. You’re not perturbed by them. 

3. You Own Your Life Choices

Being 40, you have made some big life choices by now. You may have married or moved in with a partner, you might be divorced, you may have chosen to stay at home, or moved up the career ladder, you’re a proud mom or you’re childfree.

Whatever the choices you have made, you’re done justifying them to others. It’s your life and your choices. You took each one of your life decisions based on what you knew or felt back then. You have stood by some of those choices and undone some of them.

Regardless whatever those choices are, you now take ownership of your story and embrace it with compassion and pride.

4. Your Circle Gets Smaller, But Closer

For a long time I thought it was important to have a large group of friends if I want a thriving social life and sound mental health. How wrong was I!

On my quest to be more likeable and have as many friends as possible, I entertained energy vampires, frenemies, fair weather friends, people who were secretly jealous of me, people who didn’t care, and people who silently eroded my sense of self. This made me feel lonely and question my self-worth.

Now, as I am turning 40, I have become self-assured enough to weed out the draining, competitive, and flaky connections. What stays are the real soul connections with people who have seen me at my best and at my worst and love me just the way I am.

By the time you’re becoming 40, you care about quality over quantity and seek emotional safety in your friendships.

Read: How To Spot A Frenemy? 12 Signs Someone Is Pretending To Be Your Friend

5. You Learn To Put Yourself First

After years of putting others first, the realization hits you. You cannot pour from an empty cup. You start making time for yourself, for rest, joy, fun, and self-care, without feeling guilty about it.

Whether it’s therapy, solo vacations, skincare rituals, or simply going to bed early to enjoy your mornings – you finally start honoring your own needs.

Read: How To Become A Morning Person And Be More Happy In Life (Even If It S*cks In The Beginning)

6. You Stand Up For Yourself

Turning 40 for a woman can be a game changer for her as she now can lay down stronger boundaries. She can say “no” to requests that don’t feel right and be okay with losing people who are not aligned with her best interests.

Whether it’s speaking up at the doctor’s office or telling off a rude relative, you have now learned to take a stand for yourself.

You know your worth, and you refuse to be dismissed, overlooked, or silenced. You advocate for your needs, your dreams, and your space in every room you walk into.

7. You Can Embrace Chaos with Grace

In your 40s, you stop fearing chaos and instead, start riding its waves with courage. You’ve survived heartbreaks, job losses, maybe even identity crises.

So now, when life hands you a new chapter, you don’t panic, you adapt. You know that confusion often leads to truth. Everything works out in the end. People, sooner or later, reveal their true color.

So, you’re chill. You sit back and enjoy the show, without losing your sh*it, like you used to do in your earlier decades. 

8. You Develop a Better Relationship with Your Body

When you’re reaching 40, you no longer punish your body for not looking like it did at 25. Instead, you marvel at its resilience.

You move because it feels good, not to burn calories. You nourish it not to “earn” food, but because it deserves love. Your body becomes your ally, not your enemy—a home, not a project.

9. Sex and Romance Are Better Than Ever!

One of the best-kept secrets about turning 40? Romance and intimacy can become more fulfilling and more enjoyable than ever.

Now you have understood what is important to you, whether it is casual flings or a deep emotional bond.

You have stopped wasting your time and energy investing into the wrong kind of intimacy and started channeling your energy to connect with another person – on body, mind, and soul level. 40 IS the new 20 after all.

10. You Live with Intention, Not Others’ Expectation

Turning 40 helps you recognize how precious your time and energy are. You stop doing things out of guilt or habit.

You start asking: “Does this serve me? Does this align with who I am?” You become intentional with your choices, your commitments, your company, your lifestyle. Life becomes a curated experience, not a list of obligations.

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Here’re a few practical strategies for those who are about to be turning 40:

• Be open to new experiences, even challenging ones
• Prioritize your happiness and emotional well-being
• Make new social connections and mentor younger people
• Take care of your body and overall health, but in a balanced manner
• Pursue hobbies and passions
• Embrace life long learning and self-development
• Do smart financial planning, including saving and investing for the future

40 Is The New 20: The Best Is Still Ahead

The biggest lie society sells to a female turning 40 is that her youth was her peak and now she is past her prime. But at 40, you realize that’s a load of crap.

You have wisdom, emotional intelligence, experience, and strength that your younger self didn’t. You begin to dream differently, bigger, but also deeper. And you know that life doesn’t end at 40—it actually begins.

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I hope this blog on turning 40 resonates with you. What do you feel turning 40 for a woman should mean in today’s world? What was it like being 40 for you? Write your tips and stories in the comments below and share this with your friends!

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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