Life changes when you turn 40. The back-aches start in earnest, you have to really start watching what you eat, and you’re more interested in watching the weather forecast than the actual news. But what do I know? I’m not even 30 yet and I think that life’s going to be as awesome in the future as it is now! No aches or secret maladies for me, no siree!
However, internet users that are 40+ have been sharing memes about what it’s like in the fifth decade of life on Earth, and it all seems funny and scary at the same time. Bored Panda has collected the funniest memes for you to nod off to (or laugh at and upvote if you’re still young and free like me!). Don’t worry, it’s all done with good intentions and it’s a bit of harmless fun. After all, in just a few short years, we’ll all be intimately familiar with these memes firsthand.
Bored Panda spoke about how much truth there is in these memes with comedy writer, musical stand-up comedian, and pop star in waiting, Ariane Sherine, who turned 40 last summer. Be sure to read on for my full hilarious and candid interview with her. [Spoiler Warning: yup, it’s just like we feared!]
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It is the same for absoluetly everyone, regardless of how old they are.
But it becomes more frequent as you age, that you wake up and need to pee. Thankfully not as early as my 40s though.
Load More Replies...But then you finally fall asleep and then wake up suddenly to go pee because you kept having dreams about peeing and you don't want to have an accident.
Especially the orange cat in the top right. That guy nailed it.
Load More Replies...Ha! I'm a pretty decent photographer, but when it comes to taking them of myself, it's a nightmare. I am about to go back on the dating apps (took some time off because covid), and I've had to ask a photographer friend of mine if he could take some updated shots because I just hate it so much. Heh.
I can't wait to take pictures like this when I'm 40. Just like when you pass 70, you throw out the jeans and only where dress pants. Evolution rocks.
I am obviously a 30+ year old in a 40 year olds body, coz again I can relate.
Once you have your mystery ailment we will apply upgrades and new ailments on a regular basis.
Any age can get an odd ailment. Any. I mean, I went to med school and have had to look this stuff up.... Yeesh.
As someone who’s rapidly approaching their 30th birthday, writing about being a 40-year-old sounds a bit like poking fun at people while hiding my own head in the sand. But, honestly, it’s all done for the sake of humor (and, well, getting ready for those backaches)! We could all use a laugh or two after the eternal emotional hangover that was last year.
London-based comedian Ariane, who is turning 41 this July and has already started the exciting journey into the vast wilds of her 40s, openly spoke to Bored Panda about what it’s like compared to life earlier.
Same, I've slept on my right shoulder at night since I was a teen. Now it hurts too much and I have to sleep on my left shoulder. Wonder how long before I have to sleep on my back which is hard for me lol.
Load More Replies...My lower back and knees are always messed up after sleep. And sitting for too long - don't even.
We should just upvote this random deleted comment
Load More Replies...I feel this. I used to pass out on a friends bean bag when I was 19 or 20 after a bender and woke up and went to uni, no problems. Now, if my pillow isn't just right I have a sore neck and a headache for the whole day. Joy.
I've been considering trying to fashion some kind of long, toe-nail cutting device, so I don't have to bend over and break my spine
Well I hung in there til 51. Then all in one month got tinnitus and three bulging disks. Still suffering. Ugh
I literally threw my back out in my 20s as I was reaching in my moms fridge for a pepsi. It was oddest thing but Dr said I had tweaked a muscle just at wrong time/angle. It was painful.
I'm laughing because my cans are still sitting at the end of the driveway on Monday and trash day was Friday.
I wanted to laugh at this but it's so full of truth I'm in pain!!!
“I'm sorry to tell you that it's all over after 40! Enjoy your next ten years before you suddenly notice that your back hurts, you're slightly obsessed with the Weather app on your phone, you feel very grateful for your garden shed, get super-interested in plants, and 9 pm seems like a late bedtime. The worrying thing is, I'm not even joking.” Ariane shared that moving into your 40s is exactly like the memes tell us. There’s very little hyperbole there!
As if retirement age will be 65 when I reach it. My gov't keeps raising the age limit!
We'll see about that if my plan goes right. The working 15 years more part I mean.
So smoooooth! sometimes i just want to get wrapped up in them and stay there all day.
Load More Replies...LOL. I've always said....when I was younger, I could could drink for two days and be hungover for an hour. Now, I drink for an hour, and I'm hungover for two days.
6 beers were no problem when I was 17, with 34 I maybe drink one or two and it's enough. Come to think of- it's similar with weight gain. 2 mc donalds meals then and I did not gain one gramm at 60kg. One coffee with sugar and milk now and the scale tips to 85kg.
Load More Replies...LOL I usually set an alarm for 11:55 and am back in bed at 12:05
Load More Replies...I avoid drinking now cuz I thought I was gonna die from last hangover. A 2 day hangover.
I was curious to find out how we can all age with dignity and grace, as we move through life, even if we seemingly haven’t yet accomplished all the goals we’ve set for ourselves and still aren’t living our dream lives.
“Dignity and grace are overrated,” comedian Ariane said. “I'm still planning to be famous around the world—you can cite this quote next year when I become a pop superstar!” And I fully believe that this will happen.
Right. Took me a little while to learn that the young engineers at work were not exactly fascinated by my stories of being a computer tech in the 80s. "The first portable computer weighed almost 25 pounds and had 64 KB of RAM and a 5-inch monochrome display. Man, that sucker was awkward to lug away on a service call!!" *eyes glaze over*
Nah. I'm in the middle. Of course we are a company of 8 people so...
what a reminder ..when i had to ask a younger colleague what the slang word meant! the younger were throwing the word around in every sentence i had no clue!
I'm 43. This last year has put me off the news. Nothing but covid. It's boring AND depressing.
I'm almost 40. I try to avoid the news when I'm at home. I doubt three years will change that.
So if you are into news, you are not idealistic? Interesting approach.
Most news today is selling ideas, so not really true. True about the weather forecast, though.
I'm 43, and have been obsessed binge watching the show America for the past year
In the comedian’s opinion, age absolutely should not be a barrier to success, whatever line of activity you pursue. However, one thing that you should bring along into your 40s and beyond is the ability to laugh and laugh hard. “A sense of humor also helps with everything in life. Learn to laugh at yourself and the world—it makes everything a lot easier and more fun.” So keep on laughing. During the easy times and especially the hard ones.
Its possibly it's a female anatomy thing, haven't come across as many dudes struggling with this...(shrug)
Load More Replies...Not 40s. This is Said every pregnant and post-partum woman in history.
It seems to me. I'm the answer to Life, the Universe and Everything (42).
Load More Replies...My partner has crazy long eyebrow hairs. I call them their mad scientist eyebrows :)
Load More Replies...Eh, I’m middle eastern. I needed them more when I was like 10 than most people ever do.
I'm 'only' half Lebanese and I feel you. It's become such a habit that I'm always absentmindedly stroking my chin/upper lip for any strays that need to be removed RIGHT NOW (never mind any other body hair. Never ending struggle)
Load More Replies...Possibly referring to state of internal maturity, not so much physiology...just speaking personally😅
Finally, I asked Ariane for advice for those of us who might be a long way away from 40, but absolutely trembling in our boots at the thought of hitting the Big 3-0. However, the comedian pointed out that there’s nothing to be afraid of and, in fact, life gets way better than in your 20s.
“You're terrified about turning 30? 30 is the best bit! Your 30s are the decade when you have more experience and knowledge, but you still have the energy to get out of bed. Your body doesn't ache and the pillows and duvet don't beckon you in the early evening. Embrace the next ten years before everything goes south!”
Hot flashes and night sweats when hitting pre-menopause are a whole other story. I didn't believe until it it me a few months ago.
Load More Replies...I’m 71. Always cold until I go to sleep, but wake up soaked. Don’t think I have any hormones left, though.
Hahahahaha I bought a new shelf to put all of my countertop appliances on. First: I realized I had enough countertop appliances to warrant a new shelf and second: I was sooooo stoked when my new shelf came! (good grief)
You should see my new spice organization system. No, not a spice rack. An Organization System. Yes. I am old.
Load More Replies...The last years I find myself getting enthusiastic over kitchen supplies and other useful house products instead of clothes and shoes! Maybe it's also because who needs new clothes during a pandemic!
I bought an espresso machine to satisfy my barista-made-overpriced-coffee addiction in home office. It cost more than all clothes from last year combined. Still talking about it to colleagues 3 weeks later. Nearly the same excitement was over a xxl original tupperware salad bowl. No more leaking bowls full of salad and dressing when you arrive at the BBQ. 10 years ago I would have never spent 30 bucks on a plastic bowl.
Load More Replies...sad but true..I got excited my strawberries would now last longer in m fancy new Tupperware!
I love storage, doesn’t have to be tupperware coz that stuffs expensive but containers and cupboards are something I can’t seem to get enough of.
OMG all kitchen ware is waaaaay too exciting these days. Pots for Christmas? YESSSSS
To me, it's the opposite. I need less sleep now (I'm 41) than I did when I was younger
Me every morning. But that's just cos I never seem to make it to bed before 2 am
It’s true. I have to have a set bed time or I am useless the next day. It’s all the getting up in the nigh to pee!
Load More Replies...Turning 40 is a big deal, however much we might talk about 40 being the new 30 (and 30 being the new 20, as well as 67 being the new 53). Family medicine specialist Deb Schilling puts it bluntly that it’s the period where we’re not feeling quite old yet, but we aren’t quite young anymore, either.
I haven’t wanted to see what I look like from behind, the front and sideways for as long as I can remember lol,
Yeah, that gravity can sure be a real biatch when it finally hits you. Like overnight.
I haven’t wanted to see that since I was 16 , certainly not going to start now
Why not? People act like you just automatically fall out of health and get ugly. Some people are way too ready to be old when they are still relatively youngish.
This doesn't have to be, if you keep up an exercise routine. Keep the weight off and work on those glutes. Weak glutes are the reason for sooo many pains. Keeping them strong not only helps keep you well, but keeps that rear view looking better.
I don't know, I think it's very personal. I work out 5/6x a week and in the last 2 years more and more cellulite has appeared even though I'm doing a lot more strength training. Covered up my butt looks better than ever though
Load More Replies...The difference between 20 and 40 is that when you fall down at 20 you say, “Ow, that’s gonna hurt for a couple of days,” but when you fall down at 40 you say, “Well, that’s gonna hurt forever.”
That depends on which formerly dormant conditions decided to rear their ugly heads that decade. And for women, there’s the additional spectre of being pre-menopausal then in full menopause by the time they’re ready to turn 50.
Load More Replies...blood pressure, check. cholesterol, check. Multi-vitamin, vitamin D and prilosec? check, check check... started that at 30, can't wait for 40.
Yeah, I got mine at 22. Breaking all the most depressing records here!
I have had a 1 inch sized pill box overfilled since age 30. ?! I win?!
I'm 25 and take. *counts* over 10 pills each day. freaking f*****g hell
“While she may still feel young, her body is beginning to reject what was once considered normal which is due primarily to hormonal fluctuations. Women begin to experience unintentional weight gain despite no dramatic change in eating habits or exercise. Clothes don’t quite fit the same as they used to even though the scale reads the same. They may feel testy and short, tired and annoyed. They find it difficult to get a good night’s sleep. Their periods may become irregular and different,” Schilling explains some of the changes that some experience in their 40s as their bodies change.
Or start becoming the crazy cat lady. At 41 I got my first cat. Now I have...more.
how many? after 45 ..is when the colony grows..
Load More Replies...That’s a mom thing. You jiggle from 3 pregnancies because you had 3 pregnancies. Not because you’re 40-something.
Think it depend on genetics lol I have cousin in their 40s all natural n look gorgeous
Complaining about how lucky men are because of “dad bod” is the worst. This term pretty harshly critiques male bodies. I have seen professional athletes, Zac Effron, Jason Momoa, … all criticized with the term dad bod. It’s insane. Oh thank you dad bod for saying I can still be attractive and not have ripped abs. I have never had defined abs, and I have worked out for a lifetime, so accordingly I was born and will die with a dad bod. I have also never dated a woman with defined abs, all have been attractive to me, but I never was ignorant enough to suggest they had a mom bod. Maybe focus on your own body positivity and stop perpetuating body judgmental terms for others.
Not all of us went for the babies thing and still stayed in decent shape.
Some of us who did the baby thing are still in great shape. I'm a Nana with no sags or bumps and a healthy active body that looks half its age. Welcome to 50! Bring on the jealous downvotes. Most people can't handle the body positivity thing when your happy with what you are. Some of us love getting older!!
Load More Replies...It definitely happens to me and I'm a teenager.
Load More Replies...I find that the dings that hurt don't bruise for some reason, only the ones that you can't remember happening do. I wonder why that is.
So wrong. I am 49, and almost never get a bruise. My wife at the same age,.however... that is quite the oposite. So.I supose we equal each other out.
I'm not 40 and I always get bruises that I don't know where they came from
Nope- that's the way it is since I was like 15 at least...but has lessened in recent years. Or will it come back at 40?
Meanwhile, BestLife points out that our bodies start feeling the wear and tear with age: our hair thins, our sight deteriorates, our eardrums weaken, and even our voice boxes undergo change. And the jokes about back problems aren’t actually jokes: doctor Erin Nance points out that there’s a higher risk of developing a “herniated lumbar disc.” However, rest, physical therapy, and even anti-inflammatory medication (with the right prescription, of course) can all help.
rugs are the same price for everyone, so still expensive in my 30s.
Don't know if you did this on purpose, but the way you used the word "swell" shows your age! I agree with you, though.
Load More Replies...I just noticed a hershey's bar i smuggled in my room a week ago.
Load More Replies...damn the nightstand...i found myself waking up in some crumbles from the pack yes the whole pack of biscuits i was binge eating listening to the weather forecast!
oh my goodness, this is one thing about me that drives my husband bonkers. He stops complaining when I let him pick out a candy bar tho... lol
THIS!! I have heartburn all the time now, when I haven’t eaten or drunk anything. Don’t even mention the word pizza!
Wow, guys, I'm 45 and none of this is true for me yet. I don't know if it's genes, attitude, or just dumb luck, but I'm very happy about it.
40s are nothing compared to 60s. Everything hurts or creaks or both when moving. Permanently tired even when I just woke. All the partying you did in your youth will now punish you. People you know are dropping dead, I realize I am a survivor every day I wake up
I can barely make it to 8pm, had to switch to the 6 o'clock news lol
So, dear Pandas, which of these memes did you like the most? If you’re 40 or over, we’d love to hear from you and learn which ones you related to. Meanwhile, if you’re younger, let us know how you feel about getting older and if there’s an upcoming birthday that’s scaring the wits out of you.
Or when sleeping next to your spouse becomes a contest between which is louder..the farting or the snoring.....
I'm still on the hunt for the perfect body pillow. One with very little give. Because if it immediately flattens, what was the point of it?
Memory foam! I've got Hug pillow by Tempur - it's amazing.
Load More Replies...When I was in my twenties, I preferred to date older men (the young men I was meeting were immature in my opinion). But as I got to be in my thirties and pushing forty, I realized that dating older men was beginning to mean dating old men. Like old men looking for a nursemaid with benefits. A lot of them still thought they were the same young studs they used to be, when they had actually turned into that creepy old guy hitting on the young girls at the club. At forty, I ended up marrying someone my own age (the immature twenty somethings had finally matured enough by the time they were forty-ish).
Yeah, but then you can’t get up in the morning.
Load More Replies...I'm a teen and my body is always in pain. Definitely not just a 40s thing XD
my freaking knees hurt, i'm in the same boat as you.(and dont forget stepping on roots wrong almost everyday)
Load More Replies...Too many late night gaming sessions, name a body part that doesn’t have a damn cramp 🙄
I did that the other night, i sat on my calf. ;-; but then swimming with fins, foot arch cramps are common, hurt like hell as well.
Load More Replies...Cramps could mean a magnesium deficiency. Most of all minerals could decrease as we get older so check your calcium, magnesium levels, but also D3 and K2. Also have a good healthy diet :)
Gosh. Not looking forward to that at all. How can we prevent it?
WELCOME TO NON-CRAMPING CREAM!!!!! IN THIS CREAM, YOU CAN'T GET A CRAMP!!!!! BTW THIS IS SO FAKE!!!!!! I JUST WANTED TO DO THIS TERRIBLY lol
Load More Replies...That seems like what you’d expect someone who calls themself “wine mummy” to say.
...do people just quit on life or are these people just having a go at younger people and trying to confuse us?
Being thin doesn't keep you from jiggling
Load More Replies...Right then and there. So why not start right away? Those are some precious minutes you could add.
...and when in vaccination age group 18-59 you are all of a sudden closer to the latter.
Did I miss the memo on giving up at 40? Or am I not really 40? 'Cause I only really relate to the Tupperware one. (If anyone has a tip on where to find and nice set that isn't all tiny boxes, I'd appreciate it.)
I wish there were some happier ones about the great things that could happen in your forties... if there are any...
Welcome to your fourties... when you get to start seeing the fruits of your labour, when oppertunties increase and doors open because you are no longer 'wet behind behind the ears', and when decisions start becoming just a little bit easier because you know stuff. Welcome to your fourties where, if you have children, they are starting to become a little more independant and you see the light at the end of the child rearing drudgery and hopefully a little bit of pride at the people you see them becoming. Welcome to your fourties, when you settle in and learn to enjoy your skin a little more (even if it sags in places you hadnt noticed) and learn to feel more comfortable with who you and no longer GAF about what Joe down the road thinks. ..... There are lots of reasons to love your fourties!
Load More Replies...People give up and accept getting older. 40 is not old. 80 is old!
My mother accepted getting old after 60-something. My dad is 93 and in denial about aging. Dad is at home, Mum is in a home. Based on their examples, I should keep lying about my age.
Load More Replies...I turn 40 on Thursday. I feel this was meant for me, it was the first thing I saw when I came online this morning. I actually told my phone to f**k off.
I'm 42 and despite the pandemic, I'm enjoying my 40s a way lot more than my 30s. I'm more confident, don't feel I have to prove myself all the time, I've learned to manage lifes' struggles in a much easier way. For women, it's the balzaquian's age. Sure is great!
I cannot relate to almost anything on this list. Am I to believe that suddenly my whole body is going to spontaneously start malfunctioning in six dozen different ways come mid-July? I find that highly unlikely.
Depends on your luck, DNA, lifestyle, and did I mention luck?
Load More Replies...Welcome to your 40's were you realize you start hearing your mom coming out of your mouth
At 50, it's your grandmother, as I learned this past year. Oh crap.
Load More Replies...I am 47, all the above does not apply to me or to any of my friends. We are sporty people who have fun, who go to the clubs and music festivals, we go to work everyday, we take our responsibilities. We do not have any of those above described 40's symptoms. The above can apply only in a society that deems the 40s old for fun. And that is the USA.
Did I miss the memo on giving up at 40? Or am I not really 40? 'Cause I only really relate to the Tupperware one. (If anyone has a tip on where to find and nice set that isn't all tiny boxes, I'd appreciate it.)
I wish there were some happier ones about the great things that could happen in your forties... if there are any...
Welcome to your fourties... when you get to start seeing the fruits of your labour, when oppertunties increase and doors open because you are no longer 'wet behind behind the ears', and when decisions start becoming just a little bit easier because you know stuff. Welcome to your fourties where, if you have children, they are starting to become a little more independant and you see the light at the end of the child rearing drudgery and hopefully a little bit of pride at the people you see them becoming. Welcome to your fourties, when you settle in and learn to enjoy your skin a little more (even if it sags in places you hadnt noticed) and learn to feel more comfortable with who you and no longer GAF about what Joe down the road thinks. ..... There are lots of reasons to love your fourties!
Load More Replies...People give up and accept getting older. 40 is not old. 80 is old!
My mother accepted getting old after 60-something. My dad is 93 and in denial about aging. Dad is at home, Mum is in a home. Based on their examples, I should keep lying about my age.
Load More Replies...I turn 40 on Thursday. I feel this was meant for me, it was the first thing I saw when I came online this morning. I actually told my phone to f**k off.
I'm 42 and despite the pandemic, I'm enjoying my 40s a way lot more than my 30s. I'm more confident, don't feel I have to prove myself all the time, I've learned to manage lifes' struggles in a much easier way. For women, it's the balzaquian's age. Sure is great!
I cannot relate to almost anything on this list. Am I to believe that suddenly my whole body is going to spontaneously start malfunctioning in six dozen different ways come mid-July? I find that highly unlikely.
Depends on your luck, DNA, lifestyle, and did I mention luck?
Load More Replies...Welcome to your 40's were you realize you start hearing your mom coming out of your mouth
At 50, it's your grandmother, as I learned this past year. Oh crap.
Load More Replies...I am 47, all the above does not apply to me or to any of my friends. We are sporty people who have fun, who go to the clubs and music festivals, we go to work everyday, we take our responsibilities. We do not have any of those above described 40's symptoms. The above can apply only in a society that deems the 40s old for fun. And that is the USA.
