I wanted to announce my great blog experiment for 2010. On January 10, I turned 39 (yes, true confession - I’m not quite yet 40) and I’ve decided to spend some time blogging a bit more personally.
Being the web editor for More.ca (and before that, 50Plus.com) has really coloured my view; I spend so much time listening to, reading about, interviewing, and writing about women who are truly inspiring that in some way I feel like my 40s can never measure up. But I’m also deliciously aware that this is a time when many of us come into our own; having defined ourselves as workers, wives, parents, daughters, and siblings, we come back to trying to define ourselves.
Part of what I admire about many women over 40 is the way they get out of their comfort zones and push themselves to try new things. I sometimes have a first response to new things that can be summarized in two letters: No. Or even, Oh no! This year I am working to turn that into yes.
I have been trying for at least week to decide what I could tell you about myself that will give you a starting point for where this section of the blog might go. I think I’ve narrowed it down to three things:
- Sometimes, I over think things. Being a planner has served me well in some areas of my life but I increasingly feel like I need to adopt the Nike slogan and “just do it” more often. I will be looking for inspiration and help from you guys in doing more this year.
- My husband and I planned to have kids earlier in our lives but for various reasons, including a perinatal loss, we find ourselves with a 4 year old. I’m so, so, so glad for my son Noah but I have felt that the struggle to achieve that crazy thing called balance has been a challenge. Or maybe I’m just whiny. I want to bounce some of these issues off you all.
- Out of these two challenges I have really lost ground in terms of staying fit. My body is not my best friend! All right, I’ll get real: My body has never really been my best friend for reasons I’ll discuss in an upcoming post. I really want to address this now, because I really do believe that being active is something I want to be for decades. And, honestly - I want to dress and look better too.
So here we go! Feel free to start sharing your advice, responses, and anything I should be reading/trying/thinking about in the comments. And don’t worry - Vanessa and I will still be blogging in the usual way, so stick with us for those posts as well.
Ah, yes, I smile. Yes to overthinking (A trait I share), yes to the challenges of balancing family and self in peace/chaos. A friend recently sent me a piece about a hotel that offers people a chance to run in a huge hamster wheel, and we both commented: “We feel like that all the time!”
I’m hitting 45 this year, and have found that so far in this decade, I’m returning happily to some of the practices I had in my single and solitary 20’s. I reflect in my journal in the early morning (both the trivial and the momentous), enjoy more time with friends now that the kids are older and more independent, and sniff in the nuances of the air every day when I get outside.
I look forward to hearing of your journey!
Comment by Talking_Janet — January 26, 2010 @ 2:34 pm
You’re sooo gonna love your 40s!
Happy birthday.
Comment by Mary Ann — January 26, 2010 @ 5:47 pm
Hey Jenn, have fun blogging about turning 40! I turned 40 last June (I’m 40.5). So far so good. Went to San Francisco with my 3 other girlfriends that were also turning 40 (last May). It was awesome!
I noticed you’re on twitter, keep posting and link to your blog. I’m on twitter, too:
LesliCKellow
Comment by Lesli Christianson-Kellow — January 26, 2010 @ 5:53 pm
Hello Jenn:
I love the premise for your blog regarding saying “Yes” to new experiences as you approach this exciting new decade in your life.
It just so coincidentally coincides with title of my new book, “Before You Say Yes …” which is a guide to being an effective director on a non-profit board. (To be released next month by Dundurn Press.)
Perhaps you and/or your readers might be interested in it. Read more here: http://www.wizardofwords.net/BeforeYouSayYes.html.
All the best,
Doreen Pendgracs
Comment by Doreen Pendgracs — January 26, 2010 @ 6:08 pm
In my thirties, I would watch my older female friends in awe. They seemed to have so much energy, and they clearly weren’t willing to take any nonsense from anyone. I couldn’t wait until I reached 40.
In reality, it took me to age 42 to stop taking any nonsense from anyone. I’ve always been a bit of a late bloomer.
I look forward to this series. At almost 47, I am sure I will have a comment or two to share.
Comment by Eliza — January 26, 2010 @ 11:01 pm
Try turning 53 and feeling like you should only be turning 40…I remember 40 vaguely…at 50 you begin another cylce of life and the things that annoyed you at 40 you laugh about…the things that concern you at 50 is diet (not being on one to lose weight..just assuring you eat properly), and vitamins…and “face cream for women over 50…there is a difference..and you get called “mam”..I usually just tell people my name..wonder if this will annoy me at 60??
Comment by Gale Himschoot — January 27, 2010 @ 8:55 am
good morning:
Reaching FORTY is a milestone, yes, but ………having lived through it myself and looking back, it was one of the very best experiences. You are old enough to appreciate everything and every day!
Talk to me when you reach SIXTY!
I would like to see more about women OVER forty also…you are excluding some of us out here who still work, are “hip” to coin a probably passe phrase, and want to stay “in” the here and now!
All the BEST for your journey to discovery!
Kind regards,
ct
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Comment by OneilJanell23 — June 20, 2010 @ 11:58 pm