This is a little something I wrote at the beginning of 2023 … ahead of turning the big 4-0 later that year.

just be

This is my 40 year.

The year I turn 40.

A mix of emotions and thoughts about this, so far.

Contemplative questions: Have I done enough? Have I achieved?

Am I enough?  

Each birthday milestone seems to bring the well-meaning encouragement: “25 is the new …”, “30 is the new …”, “35 is the new …”

And now I’m bracing for the almost pitying: “40 is the new ….”

But really, is it the new … something.

Why can’t each milestone just be.

Embrace. Accept. Move. Grow.

That’s how I’ve decide to approache this cusp – the edge of a new decade.

I wouldn’t want to be 20 again. I don’t think I’d want to be 30.

 Well, maybe – less wrinkles would be nice.  

Over the past 40 years (and especially the last 20) …

I’ve grown.

I’ve shrunk.

I’ve loved.

I’ve hated.

I’ve cried.

I’ve discovered.

I’ve learned.

I’ve succeeded.

I’ve failed.

I’ve lost.

I’ve gained.

I’ve lived.

I’ve experienced.

I’ve dreamt.

I’ve achieved.

I’ve changed.

I’ve been sure.

I’ve doubted.

I’ve accepted.

I’ve questioned.

I’ve loved … again … and again.

I’ve found my forever.

But mostly, I’ve been.

I’ve simply been me – just me.

I’ve just been me in all my many nuances.

And so, on the edge of 40, and everything that another decade embraces – I plan to live another decade just being me.

I plan to …

Love.

Live.

Question.

Accept.

Doubt.

Be sure.

Change.

Achieve.

Dream.

Experience.

Gain.

Lose.

Fail.

Succeed.

Learn.

Love.

Grow.

I plan to be human.

I simply plan to be … me.

x G. 

Margaret Mielczarek

editor, journalist, digital content creator with a background in nutrition & dietetics.