Well, I’m 40. Who saw that coming?!
From the time I was about 16, I kept a journal that I wrote in faithfully. As this milestone birthday approached, I thought about those books, full of my scribbles. I considered looking at them, to see if I had any predictions about what life would be like at this “advanced” age. But the truth is, I can’t bear to look at them. I know what they are full of – heartbreak, school dances, heartbreak, unrequited love, heartbreak, and feeling lousy about my body.
(On the other hand, I’m totally willing to peek at the diary I kept when I was in elementary school, because my entries were about what happened on The Dukes of Hazzard and how excited I was to have lunch at Friendly’s.)
So, instead of looking at my journals, I thought I’d just guess at what I thought life was going to be like at 40 – and what I was sure it wasn’t going to be like. Here goes!
- I thought I’d be married.
- I thought I’d be writing novels for a living, not working in a cubicle.
- I thought I’d be living away from home, probably somewhere in New England.
- I thought I’d be a mom.
- I thought I’d be skinny – finally.
Through the years (as sung by Kenny Rogers).
And here I am, unmarried, working in a cubical, living an hour away from the small town I grew up in (and visit frequently). I know now that I don’t want to be a mother, although I love other people’s kids a lot. Oh, and I’ve never been skinny.
But!
- I never imagined I’d have completed 11 half marathons.
- I never imagined I’d be a certified personal trainer.
- I never imagined I’d be a body positivity blogger.
- I never imagined fitness and health would be such a huge part of my life.
Thank you all for being a part of this journey. I don’t know where the next 40 years are going to take me, but I’m sure it’s going to be another unexpected adventure!
