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?
Rachel's Musings 
Hi Rachel. I first found you on Youtube some years ago, most likely due to me searching about the Last Jedi…that film makes me angry but that’s for another time. I followed you on Twitter until earlier this year when I deleted my twitter altogether.
So today I was thinking and realized I hadn’t looked at your blog in awhile and decided to stop by.
I can relate a lot to this post. I just turned 40 myself back on Jan. 8 and the day was nothing like I had hoped it would be. When I turned 39 I decided that for my next birthday I wanted a party. Then covid happened and that pretty much put an end to that idea. I didn’t do anything that day (and it being a Friday that would have been an ideal day for a party) but a friend and I did go out of town the next day. Of course, I wasn’t used to the amount of walking we ended up doing that day and a walk up a snow drift that probably should have been avoided left me feeling much older than my age for a good while after.
I don’t necessarily put a lot of stock in my age. Honestly, 40 feels a lot like 39 did although I am trying to get more exercise. But like you I did think back on the previous decade and the differences and commonalities between then and now. I lost my dad when I was 35 and still live in the same apartment for example. And like you, I was certain or at least hopeful that I would be married and have a family by now and that hasn’t happened or even really been close. If I’m being honest, and I am a compulsive truthteller, I could do better at finding ways for that fact not to bother me as much as it does.
Anyway, I’m not sure I have any advice on being 40 in part because I was still getting used to the idea when you hit the milestone other than the cliche sounding it is what you make of it. Still, this post is a little less than 2 months old as I write this comment so maybe you’ve come to some realization. Regardless, I hope you’ve been enjoying it as best you can in this time of continued isolation.
All the best:
Casey T