14 Truths Women Turning 40 Want All Thirty-Somethings to Know (2024)

"Stop thinking 30 is old! It's still so young. I felt when I turned 30 that I was an old lady, and looking back, I wish I had appreciated my youth more." — Kathleen

"Just because your husband is 'safe' and loves you unconditionally doesn't mean he should be a punching bag. If you wouldn't lash out at a friend or boss in a certain way, don't do it to him. Life can be so great when you treat each other well!" — Suzanne

"My regrets in life center on friendships lost, and I am so happy about the relationships I have kept through the years. Make an effort to stay in touch with the people who have been truly significant in your lives (I am talking about more than a Facebook thumbs up), and your friends will be like family." — Mary

"Throw out your pre-baby jeans. Your body will never be the same after you gain a million pounds in pregnancy. Even when you lose it (or some of it) afterward, you still won't look or feel the same. Holding on and trying rock them again like you did 'before is just a frustrating exercise in trying to go back in time. Slim down or don't slim down — either way, just buy new jeans for the new you. You'll feel, and look, a whole lot better." — Carolyn

"Try harder to get into shape. I wish I had known that it's nearly impossible to lose the extra weight I put on after 40, even with diet and exercise. In my 30s, if I put on a few extra pounds on vacation or over the holidays, I could always take them off with hard work. Now, they just stay no matter what I do. If I'd tried harder to get down to fighting weight in my 30s, I'd have more flexibility to add a few pounds today." — Liz

"Don't be afraid to ask for what you want, whether it's in a relationship or at work. You are the only one who can do this, and you owe it to yourself." — Jeannette

"One word: Botox!" — Mary

"Stop caring so much about what others think and do more of what you want to do. That's something I'm still working on!" — Kathleen

"I took so many awesome vacations and saw some amazing places in my 30s. Looking back at them now (realizing that I probably won't be able to revisit any since going off-the-grid just doesn't seem doable as a mom of young kids) lets me enjoy them again, if only in my memories." — Lisa

"While it's overwhelming to adjust to the constant care of little ones, you'll be in the next phase before you know it. The whole time they're living with you at home is pretty short in the grand scheme of things!" —Vee

"The 'latte effect' is real! I wish I'd saved more for that house down payment when I had the money to play with instead of spending more as I made more throughout my 30s. Set aside 'future' money for grownup things like a house, car, kids' tuition, every month because 'later' comes a lot faster than you realize." — Summer

"You'll be happier and have a hell of a lot more fun that way anyway. Especially as a mom, nothing is ever perfect even if sometimes it's close and you feel like you just kicked the world's ass. Just remember, at the end of the day, your kids still look at you like you are the most amazing person around — perfect or not. And that's an awesome confidence booster." — Brianna

"Don't think of couples' counseling as a step toward the end of your marriage. Everyone goes through rough patches and wonders why, even if, staying together is worth it. Try talking with a professional earlier rather than later. If you iron out some of the issues that may be bugging you at 30, they'll be so much easier to move past. When you start at 40, they're so much harder to untangle." — Stephanie

"Follow your heart and act. My 30s were when I really found my adult self, the person my past has shaped me to become — because I made my goals and dreams a reality." — Laura