Hey everyone! I hope you are all doing well. I am writing this having been in isolation for pretty much the last 3 months as I am trying really hard to not get the caronavirus. There is a side of me that wonders if isolation is worse than the virus but I don’t want to test out any theories. I have been able to leave my house for a few errands and to spend time with my parents (and my brother Sam has moved back home!). One of those occasions was to celebrate a big birthday for me! The BIG 40!

Yes ladies and gentleman I am now 40 years old. I have been on this earth for 4 decades. It’s honestly pretty surreal but I am feeling good about my spot in 40. Of course I had grand plans for my 40th Birthday but like most plans the last year they had to be put on the back burner. I wanted to go on a cruse, maybe even the Disney cruise, and that obviously isn’t happening right now. Hopefully someday but not right now.

Instead of going out we had a virtual murder mystery party that was a play on the Great British Bake Off called The Great British Bump Off. It was pretty fun and I appreciated how everyone got into it and did voices and got into their characters. My niece was even taking detailed notes so she could accurately guess the murderer. I hope we can do it again because I had a great time.

Of course such a milestone definitely makes a girl think. As I have pondered starting my 40s I feel pretty good about where I’m at. I think starting my 30s was a lot harder. Back a decade ago I hadn’t accomplished much and felt like I was still in the same spot I was when I graduated from college in 2002. Now I’ve purchased my own home. I have 2 successful podcasts and am a film critic on rottentomatoes. I feel like I actually have something to show for my life which I don’t think I had at 30.

Naturally there are things I expected to have which I don’t. I have yet to fall madly in love and get married. Who knows if I ever will? I don’t have any children and unfortunately I live far away from my nieces so I don’t get to see them often except for virtually. I wish I had more of a legacy when it comes to young people but I try to at least be a good example to my young followers online whether it be on youtube, podcasting or on twitter.

Most importantly I have wonderful friends who support me and hopefully I support them. I am so grateful to all of my cohosts for my various podcasts and all the guests and friends I’ve made through collaborations. There are too many to name. I know social media gets a bad rap and it can be toxic but I have been so buoyed up by my connections whether it be on twitter, instagram, discord or more. I would definitely say the good outweighs the bad in that department.

So there you have it! 40 has come and I am here to celebrate it! Let’s hope my 41st birthday I’m not isolated and am able to travel and get out of my house more often! That’s the dream these days. What’s your greatest advice for someone turning 40?