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advice to your 40 year old self

(27 Posts)
pipparj Wed 27-May-15 10:07:15

I'm on mumsnet quite a lot (lurk here mostly!) and thought this was very interestinhg. www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/2386273-If-youre-in-your-50s-and-60s-what-would-you-tell-your-40-year-old-self

I think I'd tell myself to worry about the small things less, really appreciate my DH and the time we spend together and not to ignore any health concerns - life's too short to worry about inconveniencing the doctor if you're really worried about something. What would you tell yourself?

annodomini Wed 27-May-15 10:22:03

Go with the flow!

AshTree Wed 27-May-15 10:26:50

I would tell myself that I wasn't too old to go to University and study Spanish, as my Spanish tutor was imploring me to. I made so many excuses - finances, teenage children, husband. How could I spend a full academic year in Spain with all those to consider? I do wish I'd done it sad

kittylester Wed 27-May-15 10:43:41

To always follow Anno's advice!! Except...... stop having children!grin

pompa Wed 27-May-15 11:27:08

My advice would be to take the advice I give to others myself smile

Anniebach Wed 27-May-15 12:27:31

Take your mothers advice and marry him

soontobe Wed 27-May-15 13:06:52

All the kids will end up leaving home quite early, but it will be ok!

campinggran Wed 27-May-15 13:53:03

It only gets better. All the little things that worried me in my 20s and 30s seemed insignificant in my 40s. I think that decade has been my favourite to date

rosesarered Wed 27-May-15 13:59:41

Yes, it was my favourite decade too!Although I would tell myself to chill a bit more I think.

rosequartz Wed 27-May-15 15:38:01

There is light at the end of the tunnel and things will get better.

NanKate Wed 27-May-15 15:41:22

To be aware of healthy eating and not allow the pounds to creep on.

ninathenana Wed 27-May-15 17:04:08

Scrape together the money to get the qualification for the job I'm doing for peanuts.

KatyK Wed 27-May-15 17:05:38

I would tell myself (25 years on) that 40 isn't old, that I looked good, nice and slim, when in actual fact I didn't feel it. I would tell myself to enjoy my life more and stop worrying about things that don't really matter.

jinglbellsfrocks Wed 27-May-15 17:08:05

Don't overdo the aerobics. Think of your joints.

jinglbellsfrocks Wed 27-May-15 17:10:58

Sorry. I was thinking more of what I would advise my DD at 40. Don't think aerobics were invented when I was that age. Don't know what I would have told me.

Teetime Wed 27-May-15 17:13:17

I would tell myself that a career in the NHS was a waste of time and talent and to start your own business.

Anya Wed 27-May-15 17:36:35

Nobody on their death bed ever thought 'I wish I'd spent more time at work'.

Coolgran65 Wed 27-May-15 19:44:06

I would have told myself.... Just go now, leave him and make a new life for yourself and child. Don't worry what others think.

Liz46 Wed 27-May-15 19:56:00

If I could go back to talk to my 40 year old self, I would say 'don't worry, it will turn out o.k. The selfish pratt that you are married to now will go off with a girl younger than his children, you will divorce him and accidentally meet someone so much kinder (and younger!!) who will make you laugh and will still be kind and make you laugh 23 years later'.

janerowena Wed 27-May-15 19:58:35

I too would go with, don't overdo the exercise. I wore my hip joints out with a combination of digging and using a stepper for an hour or so every day.

And don't overdo the pain medication so that ten years later your stomach and liver will never be quite the same again.

FlicketyB Wed 27-May-15 20:11:29

I wouldn't give my 40 year old self any advice at all. I would just leave myself to get on with it.

ShowerGel Thu 28-May-15 06:56:45

I would tell myself "So - you really think that marrying a self-confessed alcoholic is going to turn out well? - Really?"

Lorie Thu 28-May-15 07:28:21

Don't worry and be happy smile

Granne72 Thu 28-May-15 20:25:20

I'm with "FlicketyB* , I wouldn't have listened to advice anyway.
Everyone has to learn from their OWN experience.

Elayne Thu 28-May-15 21:32:26

Grow old completely disgracefully and NEVER join a site like this!!!