My dad’s 40th birthday is emblazoned into my brain: the black decorations, the cake napkins that read “over the hill,” the tombstone cake topper, the constant jokes that he was officially old. To an 8-year-old Amelia, I interpreted all of this as “life is over at 40.”
Happy 40th! It took me until age 50, to just be happy with who I am and not try to please everybody else. So in my book, you are ahead of the game. I also didn't even start doing endurance activities until age 50 (too busy with work and kids prior to that), so you never know what the next decade will bring.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts here. I really appreciate your vulnerability and can relate to a lot of what you are writing. Even what you wrote recently on Strava about sharing your rehab workouts - that means so much to me as someone going through an injury during what was meant to be a very exciting first marathon build and seeing everyone else's huge workouts.
I'm a therapist and if there's one thing I have learned from my clients, as well as in my own therapy, it's that none of us actually have it all figured out, but we can't thrive when we hide ourselves away. It's a lesson I'm constantly teaching myself when all I want to do is snuggle up with what's familiar and wallow in my sadness. I admire your bravery and willingness to continue being curious about what's next, and willingness to continue learning about how to best nurture your relationship with all the versions of yourself - from 8 years old to 40 and beyond. Happy birthday, there is so much yet to come!
Happy birthday! I'm staring down 50 and you have a more thoughtful perspective than I did at 40. I don't think any of us escapes the grief of life, even if we are coupled up and everything *seems ideal* on the outside. Not to make this about me-but I just finished a 500 mile solo hike of the CO trail on Saturday. I'm an attorney too--and 500 miles of solo thinking/resourcefulness has put me in a space where my soul is screaming at me that things cannot go back to how they were pre-trail. I think we go through seasons of our lives and if we can trust ourselves (like you referenced in an earlier post) to follow our guidance, magic awaits even if the transition is painful and messy.
I’ve found my 40s to be such a time of reflection and acceptance. Wishing you a dazzling decade filled with love, joy, and less (heart)breaks. 😘 Thank you for sharing yourself with us!
Oh my goodness Amelia. Long time fan, first time commenting. Happy 40th! You are a light and I relate to some of the struggles you have but more importantly I relate to the pain that you share so eloquently. I think pain can make us feel so isolated but in reality many of us are dealing with similar intrusive thoughts and struggling with loving ourselves. I just feel like a big sister to you and want all the best for you in your life.
Happy birthday. You have been and continue to be an inspiration to me. From both an eating disorder recovery perspective and your running adventures. Thank you.
Thank you so much for sharing, I admire your courage and vulnerability. It's helpful to see I'm not alone in what I'm experiencing. I'm 41 and also feeling all the feelings that come from heartbreak after fully opening up and loving someone. Know that your words are incredibly helpful and I appreciate that you're willing to let us follow along and learn from your journey.
Happy Birthday, Amelia! Let your life be measured by how you live, how you love and the moments between!... a calendar is just a random measure of time, ask the Mayans, Romans, or Greeks to name a few! Live, Love, Laugh and Feel! Cheers to the "ORTIES"!
Happy Birthday to you! Life is a rollercoaster ride for sure. I'm 49 so one piece of advise. Keep an constant eye on your hormones. Peri menopause affects a lot, including joint pain, so in the coming years you will want your hormones to be optimized as much as possible. You have great adventures ahead!!
Happy late 40th! It doesn't matter how much we like to think we are in control of life, it just seems to happen. I was thinking back to some of your early posts and had thoughts about past relationships and memories from those... and this doesn't really have much to do with this post but, isn't it hard to do some of the same things you did with a past friend or love and the memories come back while you are wishing you could be back there again, and isn't is difficult to even want to do those things again knowing it will bring back memories and wanting to be back there again. 40 is twenty years ago for me. Reading your posts makes me think more about life and needing to take time to reflect on where I've been and what I've learned that can will be in the years ahead. Be well Amelia. Thanks for being courageous!
Happy 40th! It took me until age 50, to just be happy with who I am and not try to please everybody else. So in my book, you are ahead of the game. I also didn't even start doing endurance activities until age 50 (too busy with work and kids prior to that), so you never know what the next decade will bring.
Thank you, appreciate that!!!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts here. I really appreciate your vulnerability and can relate to a lot of what you are writing. Even what you wrote recently on Strava about sharing your rehab workouts - that means so much to me as someone going through an injury during what was meant to be a very exciting first marathon build and seeing everyone else's huge workouts.
I'm a therapist and if there's one thing I have learned from my clients, as well as in my own therapy, it's that none of us actually have it all figured out, but we can't thrive when we hide ourselves away. It's a lesson I'm constantly teaching myself when all I want to do is snuggle up with what's familiar and wallow in my sadness. I admire your bravery and willingness to continue being curious about what's next, and willingness to continue learning about how to best nurture your relationship with all the versions of yourself - from 8 years old to 40 and beyond. Happy birthday, there is so much yet to come!
I really really appreciate this perspective - thank you!
Happy birthday! I'm staring down 50 and you have a more thoughtful perspective than I did at 40. I don't think any of us escapes the grief of life, even if we are coupled up and everything *seems ideal* on the outside. Not to make this about me-but I just finished a 500 mile solo hike of the CO trail on Saturday. I'm an attorney too--and 500 miles of solo thinking/resourcefulness has put me in a space where my soul is screaming at me that things cannot go back to how they were pre-trail. I think we go through seasons of our lives and if we can trust ourselves (like you referenced in an earlier post) to follow our guidance, magic awaits even if the transition is painful and messy.
Congrats on that hike!!! Definitely on the bucket list for me. I appreciate your words and perspective 🩵
I’ve found my 40s to be such a time of reflection and acceptance. Wishing you a dazzling decade filled with love, joy, and less (heart)breaks. 😘 Thank you for sharing yourself with us!
Thank you! I hear it’s a great decade
Oh my goodness Amelia. Long time fan, first time commenting. Happy 40th! You are a light and I relate to some of the struggles you have but more importantly I relate to the pain that you share so eloquently. I think pain can make us feel so isolated but in reality many of us are dealing with similar intrusive thoughts and struggling with loving ourselves. I just feel like a big sister to you and want all the best for you in your life.
Erin, this means the world to me - thank you so much 🩵
Happiest Birthday, Amelia! Thank you for sharing your journey, struggles and thoughts. You’re inspirational as always and we’re all so proud of you!
Thank you!! ❤️
Happy birthday. You have been and continue to be an inspiration to me. From both an eating disorder recovery perspective and your running adventures. Thank you.
thank you for reading!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMELIA!!!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
thanks Ladia!!
Thank you so much for sharing, I admire your courage and vulnerability. It's helpful to see I'm not alone in what I'm experiencing. I'm 41 and also feeling all the feelings that come from heartbreak after fully opening up and loving someone. Know that your words are incredibly helpful and I appreciate that you're willing to let us follow along and learn from your journey.
Sorry you are going through similar stuff - we got each other!
Welcome to your 40s, Amelia!
Sure, the last decade of your life has been marked with super highs and super lows. There's no better reminder to let you know that you're alive.
What you should be proud of is your super growth. You'll continue to discover yourself and with that, more improvement. Here's to the next decade!
thank you so much!
Happy Birthday, Amelia! Let your life be measured by how you live, how you love and the moments between!... a calendar is just a random measure of time, ask the Mayans, Romans, or Greeks to name a few! Live, Love, Laugh and Feel! Cheers to the "ORTIES"!
I love this so much, thank you!
Happy Birthday to you! Life is a rollercoaster ride for sure. I'm 49 so one piece of advise. Keep an constant eye on your hormones. Peri menopause affects a lot, including joint pain, so in the coming years you will want your hormones to be optimized as much as possible. You have great adventures ahead!!
thank you, super helpful (and I wish more people knew this!)
Happy late 40th! It doesn't matter how much we like to think we are in control of life, it just seems to happen. I was thinking back to some of your early posts and had thoughts about past relationships and memories from those... and this doesn't really have much to do with this post but, isn't it hard to do some of the same things you did with a past friend or love and the memories come back while you are wishing you could be back there again, and isn't is difficult to even want to do those things again knowing it will bring back memories and wanting to be back there again. 40 is twenty years ago for me. Reading your posts makes me think more about life and needing to take time to reflect on where I've been and what I've learned that can will be in the years ahead. Be well Amelia. Thanks for being courageous!