Bored Panda works better on our iPhone app
Continue in app Continue in browser

The Bored Panda iOS app is live! Fight boredom with iPhones and iPads here.

Woman In Despair Asks If Life Really Begins At 40, Dozens Share Their Own Experiences
A cozy scene on a blanket with a coffee cup, an open book, notebook, glasses, and a sticky note, offering hope.

Woman In Despair Asks If Life Really Begins At 40, Dozens Share Their Own Experiences

29

ADVERTISEMENT

It is said that life begins at 40 but many may beg to differ. For some, it’s all downhill from there. Others feel as if they’ve achieved nothing and possibly never will. Then there are those brave enough to start again after they’re officially “over the hill.”

One woman has revealed how she’s lost hope ahead of her 40th birthday. She says she once had a life filled with friends, fun, travel, dating, and adventures. But as she aged, all that dwindled. She’s never found a fulfilling career, and is yet to meet the love of her life. The woman is beginning to think it’s too late, and has reached out to others for advice.

RELATED:

    By 40, you should have it all figured out, right? Not always…

    Image credits: Getty Images / Unsplash

    This woman feels she’s so far behind normal life goals, and is losing hope ahead of her 40th

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: NegiPho/ Unsplash

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: Intrepid-Winter-7087

    ADVERTISEMENT

    “Turn on your greatness, turn the page, turn the corner and move on”: what the experts say about turning 40 

    While some dread turning forty and believe it’s when you move towards your final years, others are of the opinion that it’s the perfect time to pivot.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    “The simple phrase ‘turning’ means you can turn into anything you want to be,” says Dr. Nancy O’Reilly, “It also means you can turn on your passion, turn on your greatness, turn the page, turn the corner and move on!”

    “You are halfway through life,” she adds. “But you still have the second half. No matter where you are in your life, there are no rules where you should be.”

    The expert believes that whether you’re happily married, single or divorced multiple times, you can still turn your life around at the age of 40. The doors are wide open, she says, and you can still do anything you want.

    Whether you’re turning 20, 30 or 40, the reality is that you’re getting older. You may as well make the most of it. This means doing the things you’ve always dreamed of doing, letting go of what no longer serves you, and prioritizing what does.

    Focus on Emotional Growth and Well-being – Aging offers a unique chance to prioritize emotional health. Rather than feeling constrained by past insecurities or external expectations, use this period to cultivate self-awareness, inner peace, and resilience.

    Deborah Heiser is an Applied Developmental Psychologist with a specialty in midlife and beyond. Besides doing the things you’ve always wanted, the expert thinks that 40 is the perfect time to pay it forward. This doesn’t always mean donating money or goods.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    “Many people in their 40s feel a newfound desire to give back, whether by mentoring or contributing to their communities,” says Heiser. “Sharing wisdom and experiences with others can be immensely rewarding and create a sense of purpose.”

    She adds that it’s important to maintain your friendships and build new relationships during this phase of your life. Not only does this  contribute to your support and joy, but it can also have a positive impact on your health and overall happiness.

    “Instead of seeing it as an end, view it as the gateway to new adventures, personal growth, and meaningful contributions to others,: suggests Heiser. “By embracing these years as an opportunity to grow, explore passions, and share hard-won insights, we can turn the age of 40 into the start of something remarkable.”

    Dozens of women rallied to give her hope, and revealed how they’d started again at 40

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Poll Question

    Total votes ·

    Thanks! Check out the results:

    Total votes ·
    Share on Facebook
    Robyn Smith

    Robyn Smith

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    Robyn has produced work for several international media outlets. Made in Africa and exported to the world, she is a lover of words and visuals. This Panda has two bamboo tattoos: A map of Africa, and the words "Be Like The Bamboo... Bend Never Break."

    Read less »
    Robyn Smith

    Robyn Smith

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Robyn has produced work for several international media outlets. Made in Africa and exported to the world, she is a lover of words and visuals. This Panda has two bamboo tattoos: A map of Africa, and the words "Be Like The Bamboo... Bend Never Break."

    Linas Jokubaitis

    Linas Jokubaitis

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

    Read less »

    Linas Jokubaitis

    Linas Jokubaitis

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

    What do you think ?
    Rick Murray
    Community Member
    9 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm freefalling towards 53 and I still don't know what I want to do with my life. Maybe I'll figure out something before the bucket gets kicked, but I wouldn't count on it...

    StrangeOne
    Community Member
    8 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm almost 43 and I'm still in the stages of asking myself what I want to do when I "grow up".

    Load More Replies...
    Roberta Surprenant
    Community Member
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Started dating husband a week before 40th birthday. Married 24 years last May.

    Kiri Hogestyn
    Community Member
    7 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Lmao she will have much more to worry about once she hits 50 (from a 52 year old currently recovering SLOWLY from shingles and then some illnesses).

    Rick Murray
    Community Member
    9 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm freefalling towards 53 and I still don't know what I want to do with my life. Maybe I'll figure out something before the bucket gets kicked, but I wouldn't count on it...

    StrangeOne
    Community Member
    8 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm almost 43 and I'm still in the stages of asking myself what I want to do when I "grow up".

    Load More Replies...
    Roberta Surprenant
    Community Member
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Started dating husband a week before 40th birthday. Married 24 years last May.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    Kiri Hogestyn
    Community Member
    7 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Lmao she will have much more to worry about once she hits 50 (from a 52 year old currently recovering SLOWLY from shingles and then some illnesses).

    Related on Bored Panda
    Popular on Bored Panda
    Trending on Bored Panda
    Also on Bored Panda
    ADVERTISEMENT