THE 40'S ARE A SOFTWARE UPGRADE

image by sydney clawson

I heard this about a year ago and then again on a (podcast) on my drive home yesterday. And seeing that I just recently had a birthday, that quote rang in my ear loud and it only made more sense than it did the first time. In fact, it was almost serendipitous that I heard this quote on the way home from lunch with a new friend where we talked about re-invention, and subtle, but superb changes in the 40’s. Indeed, this metaphor, made more than a lot of sense to a girl like me. And here’s the big why.

My mother always said the 40’s were magnificent. She said it was a time when the rigid balancing act of motherhood and marriage came to a halt and she realized it was time to make a change. Like, she woke up one day re-booted and was the same machine, only she saw things much clearer. She was ready to operate like she felt: refreshed, refurbished, and ready to take on big things she knew she had the capacity to handle.

And boy did she ever.

With 4 kids finally in school, she took on night class, dance class, aerobics class and even Dad started shifting around her schedule, to help her grow into this newer, cooler, stronger her. It was a season she would blossom overnight. And it was magic.

You see, today, in my forties, I’m feeling this paramount shift. This surge. This opportunity for growth and it’s an ever changing wild ride (not without bumps and bruises of course.) But to finally know me and know who I am and where I’m going and not having to do it for anyone but myself, is a Godsend. And I’m here for it.

I’m also here to tell you that if you think you’re never going to evolve and that life gets crappy when you get older, I’m here to enlighten you a little.

The 40’s are a software upgrade. They are full of clarity and better functioning. More acute awareness of who we actually are and where we are going. That whole getting stuck in a rut for a week stuff….nope. This decade is here to swipe out any of the old adages that you still believe about who we are supposed to be, and rather a brand new discovering of the very unique enterprise of you. Yep, you.

Why? And more importantly how?

Well, with that upgrade comes a new set of tools. A new set of balls actually. And there’s no manual here. There’s an expectation with those new tools and balls that since you have them now, you must use them before they waste away in the real old age when it’s too late.

Like a computer gets new life, we do too. And it’s here for the taking. It stares you in the face until you pay attention. And if you don’t pay attention, don’t worry, one day in the middle of a toddler meltdown, it will smack you straight in the face and suddenly clarity explodes all over you like Holy Water. (True story.)

Is there a possible crash and burn?

I suppose yes. With all new upgrades, even though we operate at our new and shiny best, there is always the possibility of a crash and burn. But isn’t that the way with any part of life? Nothing and I mean nothing is guaranteed except the constant of change. So although we may feel our upgraded status, there’s always the flip side of having a meltdown. Good news is, we know better now and we’re more efficient. We pour a glass of wine, and we handle it.

Because we’re women

The brilliant, beautiful, brave multi-tasking everyday woman who evolves into many different flowers over her lifespan. Walking into your forties is every bit of that and more. It’s freedom. Freedom in you. Freedom in your past and freedom in what lies ahead. Also the freedom in loving yourself and your body (on good days :) is the kind of life dreams are made of. Trust me, I’m skipping through the forties like hopscotch as we speak…and finally, it feels like an absolute gift to be alive and honestly, I’m more alive than I’ve ever been.

And if that ain’t a software upgrade, prove me wrong.

Now I’m off to get my dirty martini and crab cakes in a corner booth on a Thursday because I can. And because I deserve it.

Ok. Love you, bye.