My 40th Birthday: The Anti Midlife Crisis
How old are you? Nearing 40? Far from it? Beyond it?
Well, this year marks the beginning of my 4th decade (on March 24 to be exact), which actually has had me pretty excited. I normally get giddy about my birthday, starting on or around January 1 each year. But, this year, I was ecstatic. Why? Because 40 is a reason to have a big party. And what’s a party without family and friends? And what’s better than spending an entire evening with your favorite people in the world, right? So bring it on!
Then I started realizing that I’d actually be 40 and while my ecstatic outlook toward my birthday didn’t change, I did start pondering my life: what I’ve accomplished; what I’m involved in now; who has helped shape it; who currently surrounds me, making it the amazing life that it is. Feeling like I should be depressed or having a mid-life crisis, I started searching for gray hair and even analyzed my new wrinkles.
All I came up with was this overwhelming feeling of gratitude for the amazing life I have and all the amazing people that are in it. How in the world did I get so fortunate?
So this post is dedicated to you! All the fabulous people I’ve met because you’re in my bloodline, because I’ve come into contact with you in real life, or because I’ve met you through this whirlwind world of social media in which I now live—you, who have helped make me “me” and have enriched my life. Here’s to another amazing decade!!!
I was this excited about my 30th birthday. My 40th was a life changer because I finally got my bi-polar diagnosis and I felt like my life wasn’t spiraling out of control anymore.
Happy 40th Birthday and wishing you many many more
Happy Birthday week, Jyl! I’m hitting the 4-0 in November and it seems unreal. But, really, 40 is the new 30, right? It sure feels like it from where I sit…
Happy 40th birthday!!! Throw yourself a great big party—-Make it GREAT!
(I was a knuckle head and mistakenly thought my husband would plan something for my 40th—there was nothing -no party, no cake, no dinner out….nothing…dang! should of planned my own big party!)
Enjoy the day and welcome to 40!!!
Happy Birthday Jyl!!
Happy Birthday Jyl.
I just did a post on my birthday which was the 18th because I just turned 50! I dont’ remember 40 bothering too much. But 50 is a killer for me. I still feel like I’m in my 30′s…I just have to remember that others don’t see me that way.
I would have never guessed you were 40. I would have guessed early to mid 30′s. You look fantastic!
Happy Birthday JYL! You make 40 hip and happenin’!
If I look like you at 40, I’d be celebrating too! You are amazing! Hope it’s a fun celebration!
Happy 40th JyL! The older you get the more friends you have! Now that is what I call presents! I had a big 80′s party for my 40th, it was a blast. I hope your big party is filled with great food, fun, friends & family. May you have awesome memories that will last you a lifetime! Woot!
Cheers m’dear.. I”ll be thinking of you while on my BDAY too!!
the big 40… 
ENjoy the whole thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Happy birthday Jyl! It’s the day after my daughter’s birthday! See you soon I hope!
You don’t look a day over 28. Happy Birthday! It was so fun to meet you at Mom 2.0, and I’m having fun watching what you’re doing on your website! Thanks for the great job you did in your session at the conference.
Happy (belated) birthday! I love that you look at what you’ve accomplished and are thankful — many people should be, but aren’t. You have a LOT to celebrate. Enjoy it! (Site looks awesome, by the way!)
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jyl Johnson Pattee. Jyl Johnson Pattee said: @KathieLB When did you turn 40? We should def compare notes. Here's a post about my party: http://bit.ly/bfxdyT #timetoplay #gno [...]
[...] love to celebrate my birthday. It’s March 24th, but every year I start celebrating in small ways starting on January 1. But this year was [...]