Well, I'm in my 40's....and this morning I was thinking about how all the Hollywood stars are claiming that 40 is the new 20.  Now...although I would love for this to be the case...I'm trying to figure out exactly what that means....because there might be something I'm missing here.  Lets see...I'm going through Menopause...mmmm...I don't think many 20 year olds have to go through that.....Hot...Cold...Hot...Cold....and how long does it last anyway?  I've heard anywhere from 10 to 15 years....So if we're pretending that that part doesn't exist, okay.  Show me more.

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How about sleeplessness?  In my 20's, I could go on 3 hours of sleep, and still function the next day...a little tired, but able.  Now at 47, I have to keep on turning over all night...sort of like a shish-ka-bob...because laying on one side too long, makes my body ache.  Getting out of bed?  That first step? My ankles don't want to bend as quickly as they used to...Yeah...give me a minute or two and I'm fine.  But for the first couple of minutes...I'm sort of like the Tin Man making my way to the bathroom.

 

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Metabolism-  Okay.  Now maybe all of you have a super fast metabolism, but mine has decided to take a break.  So now, eating anything and everything that I loved when I was young, isn't in the equation anymore.  Exercising isn't as easy as it used to be, and not that I can't do it, but I want it to be fun.  Finding the time to get it in, doesn't necessarily mean my metabolism is going to speed up.  I'd love to say that myself and other normal people can have a personal trainer working with us everyday to give us a 20 year old body..but really?   My waist seems...well....higher than it used to be......Anyway....I'm going to make sure my kids have a little bit of mom time, after putting in a full work day. . If the new 20 is letting your kids raise themselves, and focus on trying to be 20, I'll take 40 something.  My kids are still more important to me, than looking like a million bucks, if I have to make a choice.

Wearing make up is much different at 40 something than 20 something as well.  At 40 something, you can't wear things like powder, unless you are trying to emphasize the little lines and wrinkles in your face.  So coverage needs to be sheer, but thick enough to hide those little spots that start showing up from all the sun bathing you did as a 20 year old.

 

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How about hair?   I know there are a lot of 20 year olds that start to get a few gray hairs here and there, but coloring is a part of regular life in your 40's...Sure it can be fun..but just knowing that if you wanted to, you could let your locks go and they'd be totally gray, makes you shudder just a little. This doesn't remind me one bit of my 20's, when I had so much hair I could have shared it with five other people.

It probably sounds like I'm being a negative Nillie, there are plenty of positives about being in your 40's.  They just aren't the things that you think of when you think of a 20 year old.

At 40, you have more confidence in who you are, what you've done, where you are going.

At 40, you start planning for your future, and the future of your kids.

At 40, you look forward to watching your children grow, and excel.

At 40, you welcome grandkids!  You can't wait to spoil them. You're still young enough to run with them.

At 40, you appreciate your parents...the sacrifices they made for you, and the decisions they've made.

At 40, you have an appreciation for having been given the opportunities that we have in this country.  It might not be perfect, but we have so much to be thankful for.

At 40, you can now enjoy the sun coming up in the morning, the birds singing outside, the laughter of a child, and the wise knowledge of an elder.

At 40, you can laugh at yourself, and teach others to not be so serious all the time. Slow down, and take time to smell the roses.

At 40, People are now dating like crazy.  And plenty of men as well as women are dating people half their age.

At 40, many people are now getting married for the first time.  I'm not sure if this is good or bad...I'm pretty stuck in my ways at 47.  As long as you can live with someone else that's stuck in theirs, I guess you're good to go.

If it makes you feel better to say that 40 is the new 20, go ahead and say it.  I think it's more like 40 is the new 30...but you know what they say..You're only as old as you feel.

 

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