Forty came and went uneventfully. No mid-life crisis, no big hoopla, unless you count the career change at 39 1/2 was the midlife crisis. I remember 25, 30, and 35. 25 I focused on creating a family and growing that family. 30 I made a promise to do things that scared me. At 35 I decided I wanted to travel and set my goal for 50 states in 50 years....or maybe that was between 30 and 35? I can't remember because I was stuck in my adventure stage. I still am, but it is admittedly less so than five years ago.
Forty. Gosh, I really had no idea where I thought I'd be and very few expectations of where I wanted to be. I learned early that you make all the plans in the world, but know they are always tentative because life loves curveballs. Although, curveballs tend to bring me the best things, so I don't mind them much. Even when they're not so fun.
I'm going into forty with few expectations. In this next decade, I want to live completely in the present. Live in the moment, don't look back and don't look too far forward. I'm focusing on building a life outside of my children and family, spending more time with friends and doing things for me. I want to continue to do things that fill my cup, that bring me happiness. I don't have time for the other stuff. I want to slow it down, enjoy the day to day and being able to be around for it all.
Let go and live in the world around me, as few plans as I can get away with (which is hilarious right now, since we live out of our calendar and have plans six months out). I don't know where this new career chapter takes me or where I want to go with it. I only know I'm enjoying it and the opportunities I find.
