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Just came back from a close friend's 40th. I swear she had 38 "best friends" who attended lol
Initially she was going on a trip but wanted to ensure she could spend time with friends so she decided to have a gathering at her house instead.
I don't have a circle of friends that big at all. The older I get the smaller it gets especially now that I've moved away from everyone. I was thinking perhaps a trip somewhere (I love to travel) but I don't think many people would go as trips cost money and naturally there will be other people friends know mutually who are also all turning 40 all in the same year.
I do the "dinner out" thing most years so won't be interested in that likely. I have 2 years to plan for this so I was thinking if I do anything travel related I need to start thinking about that soon in case it costs a lot even if I do end up going alone...?
Did anyone else feel any kind of "pressure" to do something big on that day? What about the year or two before your 40th? Did you start to feel anxious at all? I've been reflecting a LOT lately, almost to the point of feeling anxious like I won't feel I've accomplished much by the time I get to 40. My friend who had the party finished a second Masters last year, got promoted earlier this year, met someone last fall and married them (2nd marriage) 4 weeks before her 40th. That's a lot to feel good/accomplished about!
Maybe what I'm really looking for is advice on how to feel okay with it so I don't feel as if I've got to do something "grand" to validate I've done well by that age. Overall I think I'm 'ok' with my life (nothing really to complain about) but at the same time I don't know that I feel too 'accomplished' or that when I turn 40 I'll be able to say my 20 year old self expected my life to be the way it is now.
I was supposed to have a party, but the night before my father had a heart attack and wasn't expected to live. Luckily, he lived through it but I never did have that party.
My husband threw a 'surprise' party at our home; friends and family attended.
It was a good excuse to gather people together and have a good time.
I did the same for him two years prior.
That I was turning 40 was not even on my radar two years prior to my birthday. So I was not feeling pressure, or considering it a mini-crisis at all.
IDK... if you want to travel, why wait 2 years to do so? Travel now!
Hmm...maybe that's what I'm feeling somewhat anxious about. I live away so no one's going to throw me a party. Plus I'm single. I don't really have much family or friends so a party doesn't seem in the cards simply because there wouldn't be many people to gather...
I do already travel now...I was just thinking that would probably be what I do to celebrate I guess. My birthday is in February between Superbowl and Valentine's so it's an expensive time of year to go anywhere. Plus it's cold in many places. But that wouldn't stop 'me' from going someplace.
I was supposed to have a party, but the night before my father had a heart attack and wasn't expected to live. Luckily, he lived through it but I never did have that party.
Well, we were gonna do a big family trip to the BVIs to my favorite spot.
But that's 3 planes and a boat.
With a 2 year old.
So me, my wife, 2 kids, my parents, my brother, and my brother's gf went to Barcelo Maya Palace in Mexico. South of Cancun for a week. 2.5 hr flight.
We took a limo to and from the airport.
Just came back from a close friend's 40th. I swear she had 38 "best friends" who attended lol
Initially she was going on a trip but wanted to ensure she could spend time with friends so she decided to have a gathering at her house instead.
I don't have a circle of friends that big at all. The older I get the smaller it gets especially now that I've moved away from everyone. I was thinking perhaps a trip somewhere (I love to travel) but I don't think many people would go as trips cost money and naturally there will be other people friends know mutually who are also all turning 40 all in the same year.
I do the "dinner out" thing most years so won't be interested in that likely. I have 2 years to plan for this so I was thinking if I do anything travel related I need to start thinking about that soon in case it costs a lot even if I do end up going alone...?
Did anyone else feel any kind of "pressure" to do something big on that day? What about the year or two before your 40th? Did you start to feel anxious at all? I've been reflecting a LOT lately, almost to the point of feeling anxious like I won't feel I've accomplished much by the time I get to 40. My friend who had the party finished a second Masters last year, got promoted earlier this year, met someone last fall and married them (2nd marriage) 4 weeks before her 40th. That's a lot to feel good/accomplished about!
Maybe what I'm really looking for is advice on how to feel okay with it so I don't feel as if I've got to do something "grand" to validate I've done well by that age. Overall I think I'm 'ok' with my life (nothing really to complain about) but at the same time I don't know that I feel too 'accomplished' or that when I turn 40 I'll be able to say my 20 year old self expected my life to be the way it is now.
I feel like I'm having a mini crisis lol.
I was ok with turning 40 and really didn't want a fuss made about it. Hubby and I went to The Four Seasons and saw a show on Broadway (that was all I wanted) but he ended up throwing a small get together at our house. I told him I did not want a surprise party like he threw for me when I turned 30.
My accomplishments are mine to celebrate (is turning 40 really an accomplishment? lol). I don't think I need to throw myself a birthday party and invite a bunch of people to feel good about my accomplishments lol
No one can tell you how to feel okay with it. It's what you want or don't want. It's just a number. Accomplishments happen at different times for people. For some, a lot happens before they're 30. For some it happens after 45 or 50. Feel good about your life in general and celebrate that
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so I was thinking if I do anything travel related I need to start thinking about that soon in case it costs a lot even if I do end up going alone...? 
