Knowing Myself

To Thine Own Self Be True...

In a few weeks, I will be turning 42.  I kind of love my 40's, so I'm ready to celebrate getting even more 40-ish, if that's possible.  I feel like peak 40's was when I chose to spend my 41st birthday cleaning out my linen closets because it actually made me happy. If you aren't in your 40's yet, that probably sounds sad and awful.  But if you are in your 40's, you get it. 

In my 20's, I was basically a child bride and I didn't know my ass from my elbow, as my sweet Grandma would have said. 

In my 30's, I started to get to know myself pretty well.  I knew my likes and dislikes and what drove me to get out of bed every morning.  But, I didn't live into those things.  In fact, some of them embarrassed me.  I liked sleeping in?!  Are you crazy?!  How lazy! That can't be right.  Something must just be wrong with me. Am I doing this right?  Am I adulting right?

But then you hit your 40's and, in the wise words of Rhett Butler, frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn. 

Your 40's are when you can let that freak flag fly.  You like to sleep in???  Do it, girl!  You don't like going to church???  Stay home and pray, honey!!!!  That person drains your soul when you're in the same room????   Bye, Felicia.  Your 40's are when all of your give-a-fucks are gone.  You used those up in your 30's, so now you're left with your true self - unfiltered.  It's such a relief!  To be able to wake up, look in the mirror, smile, and say, "Hello there, friend."

Here are a few things I have accepted about myself in my 40's: