Have you ever heard the saying "Life begins at 40", Where does this come from?!
By gemini_rose
@gemini_rose (16264)
April 5, 2008 3:20pm CST
I am 34, now I was on the phone with my dad the other day when he says to me "it is your birthday soon, nearly 40 ah? you are catching up to me" Whoa I said I am not nearly 40 I have got a few years yet! My dad then says" it is nothing to worry about, life begins at 40 they say". (who says?)
So, after thinking about this for the last couple of days, I would like to know, has anybody else heard of this saying?
If so is it true? and why do they reckon life begins at 40?
What is so special about it, or is it just a way of softening the fact that you are 40?
I would love to hear your views on this!!!
3 people like this
15 responses
@kiran1978 (4134)
• Australia
5 Apr 08
I don't know about life beginning at 40 lol, I hope it begins at 30. I turn 30 this year in September.
I have heard that the 40's is apparently the new 20's, lol. I think they are starting to think that because alot of people these days have only just began then to settle down as they have focussed on travel in their 20's , career in early 30s then I am guessing family life mid 30s. That is my theory anyway, lol. Women seem to be having kids alot later. Also I think when you ae 40 you are more financially independent to do things that you want to enjoy. Life is such a struggle for most before then.
Life at 40 seems to be good for some of the stars such as Demi Moore, boy, she looks 21. Even Jennifer Annisten she is 39 years old approaching 40. Life is looking pretty good for them in their 40s. 1 person likes this
@kiran1978 (4134)
• Australia
6 Apr 08
Hey, nice to know some people notice I have been missing, lol. I had my friend up from the goldie all weekend, so that is why you haven't seen me, lol. That is funny how you thought you had a strange new friend in your friend list. I was worried some people may not recognise me. That was me last year, had blone hair for seven years, only just changed it back 6 months ago. I like to be a chameleon, lol, change makes me feel fresh again. My last avatar was more recent. Got sick of seeing same avatar was needed to see new one. Might change it to new one again soon, lol. Have great day, you still have another good 6 years till your 40th yet.
1 person likes this
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
6 Apr 08
Hello you, have not seen you about for a day or two, have you been busy or were you just hiding from me!
I will tell you something funny, I never noticed that you had changed your avatar, and I get to all discussions through myLot page and not through email and I kept seeing this one in my friends discussion box and thinking I cannot remember this friend and then when I was looking at the titles of the discussions I thought, hang on a minute she is copying kiran1978, of course when I took a closer look, it was you! You confused me by changing your avatar ha ha. So 30 this year, my hubby turns 30 in November, when I turned 30 I cried, I got so down, very touchy you know about my age! I suppose if I look good at 40 and feel good at 40 then I will get what the saying means!
I will tell you something funny, I never noticed that you had changed your avatar, and I get to all discussions through myLot page and not through email and I kept seeing this one in my friends discussion box and thinking I cannot remember this friend and then when I was looking at the titles of the discussions I thought, hang on a minute she is copying kiran1978, of course when I took a closer look, it was you! You confused me by changing your avatar ha ha. So 30 this year, my hubby turns 30 in November, when I turned 30 I cried, I got so down, very touchy you know about my age! I suppose if I look good at 40 and feel good at 40 then I will get what the saying means!1 person likes this
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
6 Apr 08
I noticed! Nice for you to have your friend over hope you had fun. Please do not change it too much or else I will be permanently confused he he!
1 person likes this
@minnie_98214 (10557)
• United States
5 Apr 08
Life begins when your 34 too so have some fun lol why wait till your 40. Dont you just love when people try to age you faster. Im 29 and I still wont let anyone say youre almost 30.
1 person likes this
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
6 Apr 08
My dad always does, it will be my grandma next, she always does it too! I never wanted to be 30, it broke my heart when I turned 30, it was made even worse with banners and balloons announcing it to the world outside my house.
2 people like this
@minnie_98214 (10557)
• United States
6 Apr 08
Im not too worried about 30 I still feel 18 most the time. Plus my mom is looking good for her age so im hoping I get to keep my looks too. I get carded all the time people say I look 17 or so its funny.
1 person likes this
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
6 Apr 08
26 was the last time I got asked for i.d, I was so embarrassed as I had 2 children then and I was being asked if I was 18!! My mum looks good for her age, mind you so does my dad, so hopefully I will take after them.
1 person likes this
@littlewhite (256)
• China
6 Apr 08
actually i have heard an old saying "thirty with family&enterprise",,
1 person likes this
@williamjisir (22819)
• China
6 Apr 08
Hello dear gemini. When we say life begins at forty, I think that it is because we are more experienced and mature at this stage of life as we have already experienced so numerous things, ups and downs in life. We know how to value more of our life than we were at other stage of life.
1 person likes this
@williamjisir (22819)
• China
6 Apr 08
Hello dear chintoo. I love it when you say women get naughty at forty. I love them to be naughty to have more fun. hehehehe. I hope that mine will be the same. lol. Thanks for your response very much.
1 person likes this
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
6 Apr 08
Right, I think I see the meaning of it a bit more now! Thank you for helping me out.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163772)
• Garden Grove, California
5 Apr 08
I have always wondered where that came from? I did go back to college at forty and in two years i got my degree in English so guess life did start at forty. Now if only there was a saying for us senior citizens in the eighty category that would be helpful. lol
1 person likes this
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
5 Apr 08
Wow, well done you, I am impressed. Are you trying to tell me that you are in your 80s, get outta here!
1 person likes this
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
6 Apr 08
That is good then so when you get to 40 the world does not suddenly come crashing around down your ears!! Not like it did when I was 30, I felt like the world had ended.
@p3halliwel2005 (3156)
• Philippines
6 Apr 08
Lol..I think life begins at birth..Love begins at 16...and aging begins at 40 unless you are sooo rich and you can travel around the world at the age of 40 then I could say your life starts at 40. hehe..I have heard different ages with that quote..so I guess it's not accurate. I think every age has something special in it not just when you reach 40. Different memories of life comes in every age.I was just kidding about the aging part..I think 40 is still not that old..Maybe it's more of a life in adulthood.
@gemini_rose (16264)
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6 Apr 08
Ha ha, I am sure that when I reach 40 I will be saying that it is not that old!!
@revdauphinee (5703)
• United States
6 Apr 08
"Life begins at 40", !!! Nonesence im 69 and still waiting !LOL
@popciclecold (40214)
• United States
6 Apr 08
Hi gemini-rose. I think it is just a way of softening the fact. When you get 40, or older the saying changes. Then people will say if I was 20 and knew what I know now things would be a lot different for me. If I should live this Nov. I'll be 60. Believe me everyone has heard this saying. Take care popciclecold
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
6 Apr 08
Hiya, popciclecold, I do not think it will soften it much for me though! I do say if I was younger and knew then what I know now saying though, a lot!! Thanks for stopping by.
@mummymo (23706)
•
7 Apr 08
LOL Parents have a way of really getting to you , don't they sweets? lol I have got just over a year til I am 40 and I have heard that saying a lot! To my mind it is done to make us nearly 40's feel better but hey don't sweat it - I hated turning 36 but I am looking forward to 40! Why? I have no idea it is just the way it is! lol xxx
@gemini_rose (16264)
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12 Apr 08
I am so behind getting around to answering peoples responses, I am very naughty mummymo I have neglected you!! I know what you mean, I did not want to turn 30, but I was ok about being 31.
@ellie26 (4139)
• Malaysia
6 Apr 08
For me, age is not a point to determine where one should begin life. Age is only a number. The important thing is how you live your life, the experience you have in your life and to forget the past, live in the present and plan for your future. Forget about the age matter. Enjoy life and be whatever you want to be. Its your life no matter how old you are.
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
6 Apr 08
I try to see it as age only being a number, and I usually do until someone points it out to me!
1 person likes this
@dragonfly242 (1060)
• Bahamas
6 Apr 08
Hi gemini, heard the saying and now that i'm the big 4-o i dont feel any different.I guess you could say that things that bothered me in my twenties dont have the same effect today. But i can say that i have a new outlook on things i'm not so afraid of getting older any more.I was looking back at how many people i've known who didn't make it this far, so i guess for those of us who did that saying softens the blow of finally becomeing our parents
@gemini_rose (16264)
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6 Apr 08
Becoming our parents, yes I think that we do finally become our parents!
@ruby222 (4847)
•
12 Apr 08
Rose...mine began at fifty..moreso than forty!!!...at 40 I was still pretty tied up...not literally....but now at 52 I sometimes..only sometimes ..lol..feel this air of total serenity creeping over me...and I have no idea why !!!
But life affords a little more peace now....granted I have a hubby and a Mum who dont keep the best of health...and im by no means rich..or even comfortably well off....but..there is a but...in life I perceive myself to be rich...that husband is Oh so loving..Mum is fabulously funny....my kids are all lovely...ditto my grandchildren.....more than anyone could ask for.
Personally as life has slowed down...it affords more quality time...
My son keeps saying..Oh my lord...just 6 years till im 40!!!!!
Well im quite comfy here ...and God willing thats the way it will stay!!!
But im sure your 40s..whenthey arrive...will be amazing for you!!!
@gemini_rose (16264)
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12 Apr 08
I hope so! I think it is quite strange being in my thirties, I seem to go through a lot of strange emotions at times, sometimes I find it quite hard!!!
@arvndrnair (250)
• India
6 Apr 08
Yes Gemini, It is True. Really Life starts at 40. It goes like this. If you got married by 20-25, Your son/daughter might be completed his/her High School Education or may be in College. If you have a second Baby He or She would also have been grown up. Leave all those thing. The fact is that You are still have the energy,beauty,enthusiasm everything as you were in twenties. You should also have been almost settled by 40. You are working and your Husband is also working and both of you are earning. You became almost matured. You might also have been encountered with certain problems/difficulties and overcame all those diffuclties. The Forty start with a relaxed Life with Full energy and You are starting to Enjoy the LIFE in all the Way. Be proud of You that You are entering 40. Start Enjoy the LIFE.
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
6 Apr 08
Thank you that was lovely and it makes sense when looked at like that.
@smartbrain69 (2790)
• Canada
6 Apr 08
Yeah i have also heard that " Life begins at 40". i don't know from where it is begin but i feel that at 40 when person realizes that he has not enjoyed his life and time has passed than to make his heart and mind happy he says no problem life begins at 40.
