Seniors, what do you think when you look back on 40?

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When I was sixteen and doing my school leavers exams I was dreaming of college, qualifications and a career in journalism working on magazines, then freelancing and eventually becoming a successful author. I ended up turning down college and embarking on almost thirty years of caring for my parents and family. I was forty-three, nearly forty-four, before I had my own life and by then I was too exhausted and stressed to do anything. It took me over ten years (seven of those under a psychologist) to "find myself" again and finally rediscover my dreams.
I am now sixty-three and just last month I had my first book accepted for publication next year and signed a contract for a second. I am doing now what I dreamed of doing at sixteen and, though I have never had the college education, I know am a better writer now than I would have been had I gone to college and worked as a journalist. I have retained my originality and my style hasn't been corrupted by the demands of bland magazine writing, and I have all those years of "Life" to draw on.
My life hasn't followed the pattern I had planned. I spent some terribly long, distressing and soul destroying years and then waded through what appeared an endless limbo. And finally, when I became a pensioner, I rediscovered my old passions and dreams and hopefully the rest will be History, as the saying goes.
Never give up! You can never tell what life has in store.... you're never too old....Show more

I broke up with a long time boyfriend that I lived with when I was 37 and bought my own house. My early 40s I just worked a lot. I've never been married. By the time I was about 44, 45 the internet dating thing was starting so I did that. I met some real losers out there, that's for sure. But, I was trying to impress and I was in the best shape of my life physically. I looked young and I felt sexy and great. Problem was my heart was getting broken a lot.
I took a trip to New Orleans on a whim. I was devastated over some guy and crying. I wandered in the French Quarter in the rain. I know this sounds like something made up but it's the truth. I was sitting there having coffee at a café and all of a sudden I listened to the music on the street, I could taste the coffee and the pastry. I felt like I was healed. I knew that God wanted more for me than sorrow. I did go back on line and I met a great guy. We dated for two years long distance. By then I was 47 years old when we met. I ended up getting my heart broken again but I was stronger and I knew God was with me. I devoted my life to God, serving others, etc. We broke up when I was 49.
My best friend died the day after my 50th birthday.
So in short, I look at my 40s and think that I had a lot of fun with men, I traveled, I got hurt, and I found God....Show more

Looking back over life, my forties were some of the best years of my life. That does not mean that overall those years were free of hardships and a all fun and games but good years non the less. By the way I never was 40, I was 39 going on 40, until I turned 50. At 73 I have been retired now almost 18 years and living life as life should be lived. Was a little on the ill side for several months, but all is good and healthy for now....Show more

I don't think of much. I've been laid off for 7 years. Right now I do online volunteer work and enjoy that more than a real job. My health has always gone down hill ever since I was 10. I don't know what the next 10 years will bring, but I do the best I can, and live life to it's fullest every day....Show more

That was some years ago. Now I look at the forty-year-olds and think they are very young.
I was quite lost back then. Negative thinking had gotten to its worst. You know you either get rid of it successfully or you accumulate more of it with age.
The midlife period is a crucial period to change what we don't like about ourselves....Show more