39 and Fine? More Like 39 and Whine!

Do you remember when you were a kid, and you couldn't wait to grow up? You fantasized about all of the things you would be able to do and couldn't wait until you were finally old enough. But now, as you approach your late thirties, you realize that growing up isn't all it's cracked up to be. Turning 39, in particular, seems to be a definitive moment in the ageing process.

With just a year left until hitting the big 4-0, you start to take inventory of your life and all the things you haven't accomplished yet. Suddenly, you're not feeling so fine anymore. At least, that's how it is for me! I recently had a moment where I looked in the mirror, noticed a few new wrinkles, and found myself whining about getting old. As much as I hate to admit it, turning 39 is coming with its fair share of complaints. But I've decided to turn all of this negativity into something positive and share some of the humorous struggles and complaints that come along with turning 39. So, let's dive in and embrace the fact that we're not as fine as we thought - more like 39 and whine!

The Struggles of Turning 39

As we get older, our bodies start to feel the effects of all the years we've been on this earth. Suddenly, wrinkles start to appear overnight, grey hairs or as we like them to call them, "silver strands of wisdom", start to multiply on our heads, and even a single drink can lead to a hangover that lasts more than a day.

Wrinkles are probably the most obvious sign of ageing. We can try all of the anti-ageing creams and serums we want, but eventually, we're going to get some wrinkles. Let's face it, our faces are like a roadmap of our life, and every wrinkle tells a story. But sometimes, you can't help but wonder if those stories really needed to be etched onto your forehead.

As for greying hair, well, I like to call them "silver strands of wisdom." Sure, maybe it's just a way to make myself feel better about turning into a silver-haired vixen, but it does have a nice ring to it. And who doesn't love the occasional salt-and-pepper look, right?

But the real struggle of ageing is the decline in our ability to party as hard as we used to. We've all been there - you go out for drinks with friends, thinking you can still handle your alcohol. Next thing you know, you're waking up with a hangover that lasts more than a day. It's like your body is trying to tell you, "Hey, I'm not as young as I used to be, lady!" And don't even get me started on the recovery time. Suddenly, a wild night out means two or three days of recuperation rather than just bouncing back the next day.

Despite all of these challenges, we can still find humour in them. After all, laughter is the best medicine, right? So let's embrace our wrinkles, grey hairs, and slower recovery times. Life goes on, and we might as well do it laughing.

The Emotional Rollercoaster

Ah, the emotional rollercoaster of approaching 40. Who knew that getting older came with so many feelings? Suddenly, time seems to be running out, and we start questioning all of the choices we've made in life so far. It's like we're on a never-ending quest to figure out what the heck we're doing with our lives.

But let's be honest, these emotions can be a bit dramatic at times. Maybe you're hyperventilating at the thought of being closer to 50 than 20, or maybe you're making a Pinterest board of all the things you want to accomplish before you turn 40.

A sense of panic comes with the thought that we're no longer spring chickens. Suddenly, we're acutely aware of everything we haven't accomplished yet and start questioning if we'll ever achieve our dreams. It's like we've hit the halfway point of life, and the pressure is on us to make the most of the time we have left.

And let's not forget the good old midlife crisis. We're suddenly growing our hair out, buying sports cars, and hitting the gym harder than ever. It's like we're trying to turn back the clock and recapture our youth.

But despite all the panic and anxiety, let's not forget the funny side. I mean, who hasn't had a good laugh at their own midlife crisis? Maybe it's discovering a new hobby like knitting or bird watching. Whatever it is, let's embrace the fact that we're growing older and wiser and enjoy the ride. After all, life is what you make of it - so let's make it hilarious!

The Comparison Game

Ah, the comparison game. Whether we like it or not, it's a game we all play. We see our friends and colleagues posting their perfectly curated lives on social media, and suddenly, we feel like we're not measuring up. We question why our lives aren't as perfect as theirs and start to feel like we're falling behind.

But let's be real. Social media can be a bit of a smoke and mirrors show. You see your friend who seems to have it all together - the perfect job, house, and family- but you don't see the mess behind the scenes.

We tend to compare ourselves to others because we think it will make us feel better about ourselves. But in reality, it just leads to disappointment and frustration. We're all on our own journeys, and we can't compare ourselves to others because we don't know what they're going through.

That being said, we still can't help but compare ourselves to others. Maybe you're scrolling through Instagram, seeing your celebrity crush living their best life, and suddenly, you're feeling bad about your own situation. I mean, who hasn't tried to copy a celebrity's hairstyle or wardrobe only to end up looking like a poor imitation?

But let's find the humour in it all! Let's laugh at ourselves and our tendency to compare ourselves to others. Maybe it's trying to make a Pinterest-worthy dinner and ending up with a burnt mess or trying to do yoga like your Instagram influencer crush and falling over halfway through. Whatever it is, let's embrace our imperfections and find a way to laugh at it all. After all, life is too short of taking ourselves too seriously!

The Bright Side

Ah, the bright side of turning 39. While I may be complaining about the challenges of ageing, there are definitely some bright spots to look forward to. For starters, I've gained a lot of wisdom over the years. I've learned from my mistakes,I know myself better than I used to, and I have a better understanding of what I want out of life.

And with that wisdom comes confidence. I'm no longer worried about impressing other people or trying to fit in with the cool crowd. I know who I am, and I'm proud of it. I've developed a sense of self-assuredness I did not have in my younger years.

But the bright side doesn't stop there. Also, I am definitely more comfortable in my own skin. I no longer feel the need to try to impress other people constantly, and I am certainly not as concerned with what others think of me. I am happy being me, quirks and all.

And let's not forget the other perks of ageing - afford nicer things and go away on grown-up holidays. We've worked hard over the years, and we deserve to treat ourselves every once in a while.

Overall, turning 39 may not be as bad as we thought. It's a time when we can reflect on our past, appreciate the present, and look forward to the future. So let's embrace our age, wear our wrinkles and grey hair with pride, and enjoy all of the wonderful things that come with getting older. Life has only just begun!

A final thought about almost being the big 4-0

So there is the bright side of turning 39. We can take comfort in knowing that we've gained a wealth of knowledge and wisdom over the years, not to mention the newfound confidence that comes from getting older. We no longer need to worry about impressing others or fitting into a specific mould. We already know who we are, and we love ourselves for it. And don't forget all those other perks too.

At the end of the day, ageing can be viewed as an opportunity rather than a burden. Sure, our bodies may be breaking down, but our minds are only getting stronger with each passing year. So let's make the most of each stage of life and embrace our wrinkles with pride!

After all, life only gets better with age! As my sister says, we're going to age disgracefully!

This blog post was originally posted on my blog https://katie-louise.com/39-and-fine-more-like-39-and-whine