When I progressed another year over 40 this past week I reposted my favorite article about Helen Mirren (66) being voted ‘Body of the Year,” beating out celebs like Jennifer Lopez and Pippa Middleton. I titled the post "40 and getting better all the time". This title and the birthday wishes sent by all my 40 and fabulous twitter friends, brought up posed and interesting question. Is 40 the new 20?
Men and Women in this age group live full and active similar to in their 20s. We are still doing things that once were reserved for younger people. My fabulous Twitter friend John D. Boyle (@BrandFlair) suggested that I create a list explaining why 40 is the new 20 so here it is.
1. Marriage
People in their 40s are now getting married for the first time in their 40s. It is no longer a check box on societies list of things to do in our 20s.
2. Children
People are having children in their 40's. Thanks to modern medicine, our biological alarm clocks don't chime the alert at 29 anymore. There is no longer anything unusual about a 40 something having their first child and people no longer assume it's a grandchild.
3. Retirement
Thanks to our economy and recent recession, many of our 401ks look like 201ks. As a result we are thinking about the longevity of our careers and sometimes starting a new one. We know retirement is many years away and have to plan for it like we are 20.
4. Dating Ritual
We now date like 20-somethings. The over 40 crowd are joining dating sites like never before. I'm in the online dating industry and have seen a rise in that age bracket steadily over the past 8 years.
5. Behavioral Consequences
As a result of our dating behavior we are the fastest rising group of people contracting STD. Not proud of that one but sounds like a 20 something to me.
6. Dating “Freshmen”
Once a social shocker, we now date people in their 20s and no one even raises an eyebrow. This was more acceptable in the past for men in their 40s but now it’s not unheard of for a woman the same age to date a 20 something. In fact, many men in their 20s are very interested in dating women over 40. The first time someone that age showed interest in me I was appalled and insulted. I have children that age so people in their 20s are children to me. Now, I just politely decline and smile and think, hey, I still got it!
7. Leading Ladies
Hollywood once only used women over 40 to play matronly roles but that no longer holds true. The sexy leading lady is often over 40 and still drawing crowds at the box office. Jennifer Anniston and Haley Berry are anything but old-maids? Men have always had a slight advantage in Hollywood but now women are enjoying longer careers in entertainment too.
8. Old School
The economy is forcing many people in their 40s into going back to college to start new careers or fluffing up that résumé after being let go due to downsizing.
9. First Homestead
40 somethings are not only getting married and becoming parents for the first time but believe it or not many are also are buying a home for the first time.
10. Stage Diving
We are still rocking like 20 year olds. Sheryl Crow, over 40 and is still looking great and rocking her fans. According to John D. Boyle, he and his dad band (The Daddyz) are back together and jamming hard. When he has a gig near me I’m going! Oh yes, we are still cool! My twenty-something daughter told me so last week and I choose to believe her.
11. Back to the Nest
Another side effect to the down economy is that many 40 somethings are having to move back home with mom and dad or borrow money from them like a 20 somethings. Not me yet, but I was close a time or two.
12. Party On Wayne
We still party like it’s 1999…um…1989. 42-year-old blogger AmericanCurvyGirl and I still go out club hopping on occasion. We laugh, drink, and dance the night away just like we did in our 20's. This just wasn't done in the days of our parents.
With all the changes in modern living 40 somethings are a lot like 20 somethings from decades past. I declare it and @BrandFlair agrees. 40 is the new 20!
From my 12Most.com Article original post Elizabeth Maness
If you are single and over 40 try my site for modern love ContemporaryDates.com With all the great features you can meet and greet other hip 40's or date freshman if that's your thing.
[...] 12 Most Frolicsome Reasons Why 40 Is The New 20 [...]
Love this! There is no doubt that people are waiting longer to now get married and have children! And yes, I too am believing that 40 years of age is the new 20!
Thanks Jennifer .. They are I did not do this but I’ve noticed this. I had a great time writing this post for 12most.
Love, love, LOVE this post! I have a birthday coming up in about 6 weeks and I think I’m going to post this to my wall!! Times have changed Girlfriend!! Wherever you are at right now in life is not only OK – but, you probably have a LOT of company!
Kelly recently posted..Express Love With Passion
Aww well both post were fun!!! I would be honored if you did !!! I adore all these people that inspired and helped me get this article together.. They are the best!!! My birthday on twitter was so much fun!!!
Fantastic! Times have changed for sure…. Parents who wait are USUALLY wiser! (-_-) Of course, there always are a few exceptions. x0x
Norma Doiron @ The LEARNED Preneur ╰☆╮
Norma Doiron@Social Media | Graphics | Web Design | Health, Wellness, Weight Loss recently posted..Plugins for Your WordPress Blog Optimization
Thanks Norma.. I think the older the better.. I tried my best asa young parent but not so sure I wouldn’t have done a much better job later… Thank you for visiting.. I love blog love day in group!!!
Great fun! I agree that so much about the 30′s and 40′s is what 20′s used to be like in decades past. In fact, I think that I didn’t really get past adolescents until I turned 30
Great article!
Elise Adams @AdamsOrganizing recently posted..Accountability: building focus and growing forward
Thank you so much Elise.. I feel the same way!!! $0 is my new years of discovery about myself and who I want to be when I grow-up..If i ever do!!!
Being a 40 something who has done most of the things you list in later life I I love your post! Thank you! I think older parents are usually wiser and more patient as well as wanting to spend time with their kids rather than put them into day care. I left my career very recently because I wanted to be at home with him rather than stuck in a job that made me sick! Best thing I ever did because now I get to spend time with him and run my own business from home. I would never have had the confidence to do that earlier in life.
Andrea Beadle recently posted..What a difference a year makes! Reflections on life
Andrea, I am so happy for you!!! I think the older the better too. This article was a way at poking fun at getting another year over 40 but something in the article was fact!! I did the same thing. I left the job that was killing me to be at home with my kids and run a business. Best thing I ever did for myself and my children !!! Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving me a message!!!
Definitely, the truth of the century! As the people asked for it and so it is. Nobody has to dress, act, feel, live and smell like a 40 year old anymore. Look younger and think smarter is the norm. Happy Manifesting to all of your followers! #YouCanDo http://www.manifestingmydestiny.com
Lorii recently posted..How Can I Find a Husband Using Social Media?
Thank you Lori!!! I think so too!! I intend to make my 40s my best years. I know I feel better and I hope to be better everyday!
This is great, Liz! I actually got married in my early 20′s and had my last child by the time I was 28. So when I was in my mid 40′s I had left a 23 marriage and started to date again, I felt like I had a new lease on life. I felt better then I had in my 20′s {having my wisdom helps} Since then I remarried and have been married almost 9 years. I definitely agree 40′s are the new 20′s, etc. I embrace each decade with grace & gratitude
Thanks!
Susan Preston recently posted..He Loves Me…He Loves Me Not
Wow Susan!!!! Thank you for sharing that!! So many people are starting over in their 40′s . I’ve worked with singles for over 8 years now. I have developed a passion for helping singles in their 40′s and dating again. I joined social media in march to connect with that group and do what I can to encourage and help them. I want a 40 and fab post from you!!! PLEASE!! :X
Absolutely wonderful list! Here’s to being over 40 and loving it. Age isn’t just a number … it’s a reason to celebrate our awesomeness.
lafemmeroar recently posted..Breaking the Rules of My Versatile Blogger Award
Get post and I completely agree with you. I couldn’t have known it in my 20′s, but we get so much wiser with age. I had a blast in my younger days – traveling the world and building my career. When I started having kids in my late 30′s I had so much great life experience behind me. I’m definitely a better mom than I would have been in my 20′s!
Jennifer recently posted..How to Help People by Not Helping Them
Then 30 is the new 50 (something) right? LOL Oh Lawdy if only every up too late second didn’t show up as an hour on my morning face, LOL Thanks for the read:)
auroramorealist recently posted..In Winter We Shiver
Thanks for stopping by .. I’m so glad you enjoyed the article. It was a hoorah on my birthday and fun to write..;)