I’m celebrating my 40th birthday with a look towards the next decade. Turning forty feels like a huge milestone!
Here’s To Turning 40!
A new DECADE feels like such a giant jump! After all I haven’t started a new one in ten years – haha. I will have to change my Peloton profile to go from 30s to 40s today! That feels like a big jump.
My Twenties: About Me
(Always gotta think about my sister’s blog when you mention the Twenties!)
My twenties were a time of self discovery. Graduating college. Job searching. Starting a household routine. Adulting for the first time. Learning to budget. Choosing a career…..and then another one. Moving to a new state.
I did a lot of self discovery and started to figure out who I wanted to be in the world. (And then questioned all that by my mid-30s…)
My Thirties: About Family + Friends
Having two children, one at 30 and one at 36, shaped this decade in the most purposeful way. I knew from a young age I wanted to be a mother, and I am grateful for my two boys who are as wonderful as they are opinionated 😉 They complement each other very well and are quite the duo when they get giggling together.
I also look back on my thirties as a time to surround myself with people I love and care about who will support me unconditionally, from my partner to fostering friendships. I’ve made many new friends and let some friendships go that didn’t come as naturally as they once had. I love the Charlottesville community and that there is so much overlap of friend groups. And that you can’t walk to the Downtown Mall or the farmer’s market or ACAC without seeing three people you know.
Looking Forty-ward
Last year’s birthday when I was turning 39 was a look back in time. This year I’m looking forward….forty-ward.
While I have heard a lot of people talk about their 40s and 50s as the “best years of my life.” I’m also a bit nervous! I know diseases like cancer can strike at any age, but I’m more worried about that kind of thing now than ever. I feel greater anxiety about our safety in general than I did in my younger years, and I’m not sure if that is because of my children, the world, my age, or all of the above.
So while I want to make grand plans for this decade, there’s a huge part of me that says KNOCK ON WOOD. **Doing that right now**
Things To Look Forward To:
In the near future, here’s what we have to look forward to this 40th year!
Birthday Weekend on Bald Head Island
Birch and I celebrate our birthdays three days apart, and the boys are out of school Thursday and Friday for teacher workdays, so naturally we are heading down to our family home on Bald Head Island for a little escape! On my day I’m hoping for some delicious seafood, and on Birch’s he’s hoping for a pirate cake!
Joint Birthdays in Anguilla
Thomas and I are taking a dream trip to Anguilla in December to celebrate both of our birthdays! (I am 6 weeks older than him.) We booked the trip mostly on Chase points, and we’re staying at the Four Seasons there thanks to a gift card I earned with Beautycounter last year!! I love a tropical vacation more than anything, so I have been looking forward to this for a long time. **Knock on wood again**
Disney World!
I really hope the kids don’t read this post because we are going to Disney World next year! We’ve been debating when to go, where to stay, how to do it, and all those fun logistics for a long time now. We were so indecisive!! I finally said the only way to do our first trip is on points, so we can learn the ropes without spending a fortune. And I think at 4 and 10, the boys are a good age to go.
We used our credit card strategy to get the Marriott Boundless Card and will be staying at the Disney Swan Resort for four nights! (This is the only Disney property you can book with points because it’s Marriott.) I also found cheap Jet Blue flights out of Richmond, and I’m going to get our tickets via the Undercover Tourist using the Capital One points eraser. I’ll be sure to share the travel rewards plan on what we did as it gets closer if you want to mirror it.
Home Renovation Next Year
Our home renovation is starting in March and it’s looming over me a bit! We have to pack up the house and move out….for 5 months. Not exactly something super fun to look forward to, however, the end result will hopefully be amazing (**knock knock**) so it’s now or never!! I hope we have moved back in by the time I’m turning 41. I have a blog post coming up with some of our design inspiration!
What advice or thoughts do you have for me on this milestone day?
Only one thing is certain: I’ll always be Younger!
Photos by Cramer Photo!
Louise RD says
Happy milestone Birthday! Sounds like you’re off to a great start with this new decade:-)
Kath Younger says
Thank you 🙂
Jenny Share says
Happy Birthday, Kath! 🙂
Kath Younger says
Thank you!
Amy says
I always admire your simple class and grace. I found your blog around…2011, maybe? It’s been a joy watching you and your family. Inspired by you, Smoothies in a Bowl are pretty much my main form of food consumption. Happy Birthday, Kath. I’m 47 and am grateful for the wisdom and freedom that each new year brings. Best, Amy G.
Kath Younger says
Thanks so much Amy!
Amanda says
Welcome to the 40s. So much about it is great but it’s also a huge biological transition. I’m 44 now and hoping more women begin discussing all our physical changes. So we have more support and to also feel a part of something that can be great. Happy Birthday!
Kath Younger says
Curious to hear more about these!
Ellen says
Ha ha, cute ending. Happy birthday!
Kath Younger says
Haha 🙂
Cheryl says
Oh goodness… I’ve known you for 38 years now! 🙂
Happy Birthday to you
Kath Younger says
Crazy to think about!!
Erin m. says
Happy birthday! Longtime reader here who also celebrated turning 40 this year. Hope this us a great year and decade for you!
Kath Younger says
Thanks! Here’s to a great decade for us both.
Cyndi says
Happy Birthday! Enjoy all the adventures coming your way this year…this decade
Amy says
Happy Bday! Longterm reader here (since RD school and pre Mazen!).
Sounds like a fantastic kick off year!
I just took my 4 year old and 7 year old to Disney this fall. Great time for the whole family. One piece of advice: I highly recommend a stroller even though Birch can obviously walk. It was helpful for holding water bottles, snacks, and sitting during the long walks to all the attractions. This way the kiddos didn’t get tired before we even got into the heart of the park lol. You do so much walking and this can drain some kids. Good luck!
Kath Younger says
We are definitely bringing a stroller since Birch still loves riding. Thanks for the tip!
We’ll only have 3 days of parks. What would you recommend?
MK, Epcot, MK
Or
Animal, Epcot, MK
I think I’ve resigned that we’ll do Hollywood and Universal when we have two tweens/teens.
Meghan says
My kids have never been big AK fans. We have several zoos nearby and even a couple animal safari parks so maybe it’s not that exciting for them. It’s a half day park for us. I’d definitely do MK, Epcot, MK. My kids have always enjoyed Epcot even for their first trip at ages 3 and 6.
Excited for you all! Disney is the perfect trip for a family with an age gap!
Kath Younger says
Thank you for your advice!
Cello mum says
Happy Birthday! May your forties be fabulous and full of love. I’ve been reading, and enjoying, your blog since pre-Mazen days. Always a delight to see a new post up.
Kath Younger says
Thank you for reading all these years!!
Elle says
Happy birthday! I love the way you enjoy life with your family and friends and it looks like you have lots to look forward to the next few years! Honestly I have found my 40s to be pretty great!
Kath Younger says
Thank you!
Amy says
I don’t know how to reply to my original comment… but regarding parks at DW: do Animal Kingdom! Big dinosaur section, more little kid friendly, and the Avatar part was so unique and fun for adults. We also loved the safari. But that is only my family’s experience. I am sure lots of Disney fans will have their own advice 🙂
Amy says
I don’t know how to reply to my original comment… but regarding parks at DW: do Animal Kingdom! Big dinosaur section, more little kid friendly, and the Avatar part was so unique and fun for adults. We also loved the safari. But that is only my family’s experience. I am sure lots of Disney fans will have their own advice 🙂
Kath Younger says
Ok that’s two votes for AK!!
Tracy says
HAPPY Birthday Kath! You have a lot of great things to look forward to! Keep the positive attitude!
Kath Younger says
Thanks!!
Elisabeth says
Happy 40th, Kath! I celebrated my 40th earlier this year in May. While I was apprehensive about it, so far it’s turned out to be a much better year than my 39th (during which I tore my Achilles tendon, requiring 3 surgeries, after which I promptly fractured my opposite femur requiring yet another surgery). Hahaha.
Kath Younger says
Ouchhhhh!!!!
Elisa says
Happy birthday, Kath. You have accomplished so much! I love being in my early forties. I feel more confident, I am more aware of the environment and have educated myself on causes important to me, and I am trying to make sure I am the healthiest version of myself. I’ve accepted I’ve had to change my workouts, knee problems, but PT and the correct exercises, plus mat Pilates have me feeling good. I still miss yoga though! Your forties are also a great time to expand your career or take it in another direction. Enjoy this new decade!
Elizabeth says
Happy birthday, Kath! I have been re-reading old blog posts recently; it’s so comforting to go back to 2011 and 2012 and those “simpler days” (hopefully that doesn’t seem too weird!)
I am a few years ahead of you – a 1980 baby, and there are some physical changes associated with being 42 that are not my favorite. I feel like I’m entering perimenopause more and more with each month that passes; think shorter cycles and all that entails :-/ However, on the non-physical level, without trying, I am giving myself permission to become myself and to be completely myself. It’s wonderful. I’m currently in a program that’s Jungian-based, and Carl Jung has a lot to say about the difference between the first half of life and the second half. There is a lot of going inward in the second half of life that is beautiful, difficult, and ultimately (I think), our purpose. I wish you grace and love as you enter a new decade!
Kath Younger says
Very interesting to hear but feel I on a similar path <3
Barbara says
Happy birthday.
I’ll be 60 in a few days. I have had great role models and have no fear about it. Bring it on.
You are 20 years the Younger but another great role model for me.
Keep writing. I’ll keep reading.
Kath Younger says
Aw thank you Barbara!!
Danielle says
Happy Birthday to a fellow Scorpio! (My birthday is on Tuesday). Love your “40 AF” decoration.:) LOL! Rock on – and I look forward to continuing to read your blog for your adventures in your 40s! (I’ll be there in 2 years!)
Kath Younger says
HBD to you as well!!
P K says
Hiii! Happy bday! Can you share the nail polish color you’ve used?
Kath Younger says
I don’t know the name from the salon but it was a gold shimmer!