"It sounds simple and obvious, but how many times have you not done something because you didn’t feel like it was perfect enough to put it out into the world?" GAH 🙈
Beautiful letter Hannah. Enjoy your birthday season!
It's funny how we view 'bigger birthdays' through the lens of what society may present to us - how we 'should' feel, or 'should' behave and so on. But and as you highlight, there will be new challenges, new people, and experiences to learn from, and these can be exciting! Especially when we begin to care a little less about what other people think of us.
Thanks for your words, I needed that this morning after a tough week 🙏🏻
I’m turning 40 next year and I’m ok about it too. I’m growing and working more and more on being myself (tending to my people pleasing tendencies like you), reframing what success really means for me (lot of pressure on that at the moment), and feeling stronger after every « low » episode.
I wish you already happy celebrations for your upcoming birthday 🎂
I adore everything about this, Hannah! You’re right about the focus and dread attached to milestone birthdays. Wouldn’t it be nice if everyone just flipped the script on that? I so agree that it’s to be embraced. All of it! How lucky we are to have opportunities to evolve. Personally, my 40s have been a time of incredible growth, and I wouldn’t trade any of it for my 20-something looks. Wishing you a very happy birthday month!
That’s so good and refreshing to hear about your positive experiences of your 40s so far. I often try to imagine in my head what I’ll think of myself when I’m 60 or 70 or older (hopefully). 40 will definitely seem young then and I’d be annoyed at my former self for thinking it was in any way old!
I remember turning 40 as if it were yesterday and not 30 years ago but what an adventure I’ve had in those years. The best is yet to come Hannah. Bon anniversaire 🎈
Thanks so much for reading, Chris. My garden brings me so much joy! The roses are just starting to come out now and I love the way they bring glimpses of colour.
Sounds like you are on a journey to find your niche. You have taken brave steps so far. I am sure your next decade will consolidate it. I changed career direction in my early 40s. It was scary but I had a sense of where I wanted to progress to and kept visualizing it. Have a great big birthday. You will have a bird chorus in your garden
Thanks Lucy! I love hearing about other women’s career change stories, especially when it happened later on. Visualising is good advice. I’ve been spurred on even more this week with the goings on in my ‘supposedly secure’ teaching job. I really just want to be in charge of my own destiny, but small gradual steps are hopefully getting me there 🐾
"It sounds simple and obvious, but how many times have you not done something because you didn’t feel like it was perfect enough to put it out into the world?" GAH 🙈
Beautiful letter Hannah. Enjoy your birthday season!
Thanks so much for reading, Janelle, and I’m happy it resonates. Less perfection, more doing is my 4th decade mantra!
This is the bit that landed with me too!
Happy early birthday, Hannah!
It's funny how we view 'bigger birthdays' through the lens of what society may present to us - how we 'should' feel, or 'should' behave and so on. But and as you highlight, there will be new challenges, new people, and experiences to learn from, and these can be exciting! Especially when we begin to care a little less about what other people think of us.
I think you’re right that the caring less about what other people think really starts to help! Here’s to even more of that
Thanks for your words, I needed that this morning after a tough week 🙏🏻
I’m turning 40 next year and I’m ok about it too. I’m growing and working more and more on being myself (tending to my people pleasing tendencies like you), reframing what success really means for me (lot of pressure on that at the moment), and feeling stronger after every « low » episode.
I wish you already happy celebrations for your upcoming birthday 🎂
Thanks Emy, I’m happy that my words could help a little after a tough week - sorry to hear that.
It’s sounds like you’re also on your journey to understanding your own needs better. Perhaps it takes 40 years (at least) to get there?
Thanks for the birthday wishes too. I’ll be spending it in France (of course 😉)
I adore everything about this, Hannah! You’re right about the focus and dread attached to milestone birthdays. Wouldn’t it be nice if everyone just flipped the script on that? I so agree that it’s to be embraced. All of it! How lucky we are to have opportunities to evolve. Personally, my 40s have been a time of incredible growth, and I wouldn’t trade any of it for my 20-something looks. Wishing you a very happy birthday month!
That’s so good and refreshing to hear about your positive experiences of your 40s so far. I often try to imagine in my head what I’ll think of myself when I’m 60 or 70 or older (hopefully). 40 will definitely seem young then and I’d be annoyed at my former self for thinking it was in any way old!
I remember turning 40 as if it were yesterday and not 30 years ago but what an adventure I’ve had in those years. The best is yet to come Hannah. Bon anniversaire 🎈
Love this, Wendy and merci! 🙏🏻
thank you for sharing this wonderful comparidon to your roses and gardening
Thanks so much for reading, Chris. My garden brings me so much joy! The roses are just starting to come out now and I love the way they bring glimpses of colour.
Sounds like you are on a journey to find your niche. You have taken brave steps so far. I am sure your next decade will consolidate it. I changed career direction in my early 40s. It was scary but I had a sense of where I wanted to progress to and kept visualizing it. Have a great big birthday. You will have a bird chorus in your garden
Thanks Lucy! I love hearing about other women’s career change stories, especially when it happened later on. Visualising is good advice. I’ve been spurred on even more this week with the goings on in my ‘supposedly secure’ teaching job. I really just want to be in charge of my own destiny, but small gradual steps are hopefully getting me there 🐾
Absolutely - we are all a work in progress! And happy birthday :)
Thanks so much Elizabeth ☺️
Enjoy your birthday and all the moments x
Thanks Sarah. Hope you’re having a lovely weekend with some walks/runs in the sun! ☀️ x