I have been thinking a lot about turning 40. I was unsure what to feel. I remember when I turned 30, the feeling was different. It was more about a feeling that I was reaching a point in my life when things were falling into place. Like a big puzzle where you were ready to put in the last piece! I hope that makes sense!
A lot of things happened to me during my 30s. I got married to my best friend, becoming a wife. Then we had 2 gorgeous little girls and so I became a mum! These have been moments and now memories that have marked my life!
Regarding my career, I decided to persue it in the UK even though I knew it meant I had to carry on studying in order to get my conversion in law. So this was another big achievement for me during my 30s.
Towards the middle of my 30s, I started to question everything. About my life and career. I was made redundant and things were starting to be difficult. During this period, I already had Bella and was looking to get pregnant again. I wasn’t ready to go back to work in an office again. I wanted to be around my daughter and I also wanted to focus on getting pregnant again.
During this period, Nick was happy to be able to support me financially for a few years while I was getting things more stable. I was grateful to have a supportive and understanding husband. This was very important to me. So I became a Stay At Home Mother.
After looking for more than 1 year and almost when I was starting to think that it wouldn’t happen (and that I should start looking for a job), a miracle happened. I became pregnant with Sienna! It was such a blessing for us!
I was fully committed to our new daughter and decided to breastfeed her full time and also I had her with me at home longer time than what we did with Bella.
During this period I was really concerned about what to do with my life! I felt lost. I was very happy to have started a family and also being able to be around them all the time but I knew I needed to find some answers to lots of questions that I had in my head. What would I do? Would I go back to practising law? Am I ready to go back to an office? Would I be able to cope? Will I have a new job? Will I be okay not being around my daughters if anything happens? I was getting older, so who would want to hire me?
I had all these questions in my head but I didn’t have any answers. I just didn’t know what would be best for me and our family. This was killing me! I was so stressed! Nick wouldn’t be able to pay for all of us forever so I had to find something quick!
This was my new challenge: finding a new job so I was settled perfectly for when Sienna started nursery at some point. I didn’t stop researching and looking for other ways to work from home and have flexible hours.
Suddenly after watching so many YouTube videos, I had an idea. It kind of just popped into my head! I thought why not try doing some videos at home to see how it goes. We made a few videos and we loved it but I needed something else. Something that goes along with the videos.
So I decided to have a blog too. I didn’t know how to start it but thankfully my hubby who works in IT guided me. I wanted to document our lives and be able to express myself that way. I was going to start one of the biggest adventures in my life!
I worked so hard during the first year. It was not easy. There is so much behind having a blog and a youtube channel. While I was breastfeeding during the night is when I drafted a lot of my posts. I was so tired but happy. My hours were ridiculous! Now, thinking back I think how crazy I was but it was necessary.
It was a 24hr job, like being a mother. My blog became my third baby! I took care of it very much and gave it so much love that it grew very fast within a year. I was earning money from my blog which was fantastic! I still had a lot of questions in my head. Would this now be my new job and career? Am I now a blogger? Is that my new job title?
Sienna breastfed until she was about 20 months. After that, she was ready to join our local nursery. Sienna needed more stimulation and being around other kids would be perfect for her. I was now in a position to do this because I was earning money so I was able to pay towards the nursery fees. So she joined our local nursery at 20 months old.
Bella was already at school so this meant that I would have some time just for me. I was so excited because I would be able to focus on my blog and channel even more.
The blog is doing very well and now it has become my full-time job! This was a dream that finally became a reality. I went through all these changes almost reaching my 40s. The last decade has been eventful for me. I am surprised at how it has turned out and I love it.
A few months ago, I was investigating about reaching 40 and having big changes in your life. I was a little bit scared of turning 40 and feeling old and that my life was over. The reality is that I feel younger than ever! I don’t think 40 scares me anymore. I think I AM NOW READY FOR IT!
Nowadays, 40 doesn’t mean you are old anymore. It has been researched that a lot of people go through big changes when they are reaching and going through their 40s. Some people like me change their careers, some just decide to start their families or some even decide that it is time to travel around the world!
This is AMAZING, right? Sorry for the long post and if you are still reading, thank you! I just wanted to end this post saying that if you are reaching 40 like me, do not worry because 40 is now the NEW 30! It is the time to experiment, let yourself go, search for your goals, find the way to happiness. Just do what you feel will fulfil you! And most importantly ENJOY LIFE!
Are you in your 40s or just reaching 40? Do you feel the same way? How are you finding it? Did you also go through changes?
Thanks for stopping by,
Love you all ❤️
Franca 💋
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Franca this is such a great post. I hope you have an amazing birthday and I know you will be bigger and better in your 40’s! I am still ignoring the fact I’m not far away and refuse to believe it!
Aww thank you so much Tracey! I was so unsure about turning 40 but now I’m so ready! Let’s keep thinking we are getting younger and no older! Lol 😉 xx
Just popping back from #KCACOLS xx
I love this post. Although I’m only 30, it made me think of life ahead and hoping to have a good 40th for myself as well in the future 🙂 thanks for sharing. God bless xx
As I said with my previous comment, I love your blog and your such an inspiration. I love the way you think positively and you don’t look 40 by the way 🙂 keep calm and stay looking young as you are. Happy 40th xx #kcacols
I have just turned 38 and have loved my thirties, I’m actually looking forward to my forties which is something I never thought I would say! Age is just a number and life is so different to how it was traditionally that we are not expected to just put our feet up as we get older but embrace every moment. Here’s to lots of new challenges and enjoying life 😉
I loved reading this post Franca! What a decade and a great story about finding yourself. Many happy returns! You’ve made me feel better about the big 4-0 coming at me in the next couple of years! X
Well done siter, wish you the best in this new challenge!!
Gracias hermano! Bso
my 40s were absolutely the best for me and I’m sure they will be for you too. I was dreading turning 50 but when it arrived it wasn’t as bad as I thought, I didn’t change into a wobbly old lady over night (that happened a couple of months later!!) But despite my illness I’ve still had some lovely times in my 50s including getting married for the second time (on my birthday which kind of cancelled out feeling any older.)
Nice post. I am a stay at home mum now with 2 boys, not yet 40, but I am not really looking forward to it. Glad you are! 🙂 #KCACOLS
I hate aging, more because in my head I’m still young but I see reflected around me that I’m not. So while we think it’s the new 30, get a 30 year old nearby and you’ll quickly know ir’s not. Just get a crew of fun old people to stack the deck when you go out….#KCACOLS
Happy birthday Franca! I’m 39 and really feeling it this year. After switching careers, having cancer and trying to keep my head above water it’s been a lot but I think I’ve turned a corner and when I turn 40 it’s going to be awesome!
Sorry! Forgot #KCACOLS
I absolutely loved reading this, I am going to be 40 in a few months and am not really looking forward to it! Your post is uplifting. Happy 40th to you.❤️X
#KCACOLS
40 is definitely the new 30! I feel so much more sure of myself and what I want from life than I did in my 30’s – that was a wonderful decade but hugely life changing with getting married, moving house, having 3 children close together – full of joy but sleep deprivation and no time to think of anything but my children and getting through each day really! Since I hit 40 I feel there’s time to think about me and the children are older and blossoming into wonderful little people. It’s exciting! Huge congrats on your birthday and the success you have made of your blog. #kcacols
Really inspiring post for a new blogger like me! Age is just a number, it is all about how you feel and being yourself. The idea of age being an obstacle is just another example of society imposing values which are wrong and don’t stand up to any kind of scrutiny. #KCACOLS
Such a lovely post, celebrating all the wonderful things you have done, age is just a number!
#KCACOLS
Age is just a number for me. I look at older people and some of them look younger than others. I think mentally and physically we should try to look after ourselves as much as we can. Then just live in the moment and try to have fun each day. #KCACOLS
As I am 10 years on you I’m thinking 50 is the new 40! You are as young as you feel and as you are always busy and active I’m sure it will keep you looking and feeling youthful. #KCACOLS
I will definitely think like that when I turn 50! 😉 I wish I will look like you at 50! You look so young and beautiful! 🙂 xx
Absolutely the older I get the more I see growing older is part of the amazing experience of life, and the woman who inspire me most are the women who have lived and created something for themselves! You don’t need to hear it form me, but well done! #KCACOLS
What an amazing journey. Our really does make you realise that if you want something you need to make it happen and anything is possible. Hope you had a lovely birthday #KCACOLS
What a beautiful story Franca – it’s great to hear about how it all started for you. You’ve done SO well indeed! I’m 3 years away from 40 and a lot of questions are still swirling in my head too, but I’m happy! 🙂 #KCACOLS
Franca….you are never over 40???? I’d never have said you were that old. Anyway, yes, I’m just over that line. Couldn’t care less. I don’t think 40 is old anymore. In fact I’ve heard people go further than your saying 60 is the new 40.
Aww thank you! Now that I’m 40, I don’t care anymore! It actually feels great! Oh I like that! I will definitely say that when I’m 60 😉
Great post! And happy birthday! 40 is definitely not old and it’s great you have such a celebratory attitude x #kcacols
You’ve had such an amazing life so far. I really respect and look up to you for the amazingness you have acheived with your blog. Keep up the fab work and wishing you another spectacular 40 years.
#KCACOLS
Hey Franca!
I am a new reader of your blog and I have just stumbled on your blog and that’s awesomely cool trust me. 🙂
You see, I love your thoughts, your stories of your loving husband, Bella, Sienna and other experiences in your life. That was cool! I think you must be a really bold person to openly share your story…well, stories are cool and they sell like wild-fire, isn’t it?
Now speaking of age; 30 and 40…methinks age doesn’t mean a shit so long you are willing to give it all it takes to succeed. You know I have read and I’ve seen folks who literally wrote their names on the sand of time, achieving success and breaking all records at odd ages such as 50s and 60s. Some of them found their life purposes at 30 or 40 and that;s fine, so long they were wiling to give it all it takes to succeed legitimately.
You have done well, Franca and I am sure your husband would be extremely proud of you. Even your kids as you have been able to give them a good life and even save your hubby off his financial burdens. Good job ma’am!
You should have a great day over there Franca!
Theo
Hi Franca,
This is a lovely post. Your blog is great and you are really deserving of its success. It is a massive achievement to be able to say that you are ready to turn 40. Most of us are scared s******s about turning 40. Pen x #KCACOLS
I think you have that feeling until you finally turned 40. After that all seems fine! 😉 x
I was terrified about turning 40. I hated turning 30 and thought that 40 would be ten times worse. But in actual fact when it happened it actually felt almost insignificant. There were so many other more important things going on, exciting and challenging things that it actually felt like it was more of a celebration of the next part of my life. Welcome to the club! #KCACOLS
If it wasn’t for the fact everything seems to be heading South I wouldn’t be bothered about heading into my 40’s at all but getting older in the face and body totally sucks! Apart from that though, I love the fact that I actually know who I am now – I can’t quite believe (looking back) how clueless I was when I was 3o! I cried so much at turning 30, it felt so old and that life was ending. I’m 40 in December and I just think bring it on! Happy to be here! #kcacols