The One Where I Ponder What It Means to Be 41. Or Something Profound Like That.

So today is my 41st birthday.

Holy. Toledo.
I'm 41 years old.
I remember when that sounded OLD.

Now it just sounds "normal."
Like, yeah....I'm 41.
No big deal.

Last year when I turned 40 I was all "OMG! I'm turning 40. Whatever am I going to do?!?!?"

And now, a year later I'm all like..."Yeah, I'm 41. Whatevs."

I think I've finally decided that it's "just" a number and it's really no big deal.
So I'm 41 years old.
So what?

I have gray hair (which I color every 4 weeks to hide said gray hair). I have wrinkles (I think). I have stretch marks. My joints creak when I walk up or down the stairs. If I sit for too long I feel stiff in those same joints. I have arthritis (and probably carpal tunnel) in my right hand. It all comes with the territory.

I "almost" forgot it was my birthday. Yesterday I said to my husband "Oh yeah...tomorrow is my birthday." I have a tendency to forget things if I don't write them down. I prefer to think that is due to having too much on my mind rather than the fact that I'm 41.

I have grown less tolerant of some things and people in the past year (I feel so OLD when I say that, but it is so true). If I see people being overly negative, rude, or just plain mean I'm going to unfriend/unfollow them online and just ignore them in real life. Because life is too short for stupid crap like that.

I have also realized that some things that I thought were "really important" a few years ago are really NOT that important. I do things for ME now...and I don't do them seeking approval from anyone. [Case in point: My blog. I'm writing it for me. If people notice that's great. If they don't, it's their loss].

As I'm journeying through my 40s I have come to the realization that it's not about how many friends you have, it's about how many friends would have your back in a time of need. I know who those friends are and that's really cool.

I've also discovered in the last year that it's not about how much money you make as long as you love what you're doing. Sure, money is nice but being happy doing your job is nicer. I've had bigger paychecks and been miserable. It's much nicer to be appreciated for your work and have fun doing it.

Sometimes it isn't about getting a corner office and having an "important" job title. Sometimes it really is just about loving what you do and doing what you love.

Yeah. I'm 41.
I guess I'm older and wiser, right? 

Oh and one more thing: I'm happy.

And isn't that what it's all about?