PSYCHOLOGY|SELF-LOVE
Halfway Through My 40’s And Living My Best Life
The ups and downs and all arounds brought me to this state and I am HERE for It

Due to some major changes in my life recently, I stopped writing consistently which I started doing in September 2021.
This past Tuesday I started a full-time job working with children to help them learn English in playful and fun ways.
I am enjoying it much more than I expected, but I have had to adjust my writing and publishing habits due to significant changes in the demands on my time.
Even more drastic to me has been the sudden awareness of just how hard it has become for my body to keep up with the demands of working a 40 hour week with a 45 minute commute via train and by foot.
By the time I get home, my lower legs and feet are throbbing, not matter how comfortable my shoes are.
The above photo is what I do right away or after I’ve taken a shower — put my legs up, take some deep breaths and relaaaaxxx.
In my 20’s, and even in my 30’s, I had an abundance of energy.
I have worked 12–14 hour double shifts in restaurants that would leave me drained, but satisfied at the end of the day.
That is no longer an option for me.
I must have more rest.
In ways, it makes me sad that I don’t have the same physical capacity as I used to have when I was younger, but I am much more deeply satisfied with my life overall than I ever was in my 20’s.

It’s a lot harder for me to keep up with and read the stories that are being published by many of my favorite writers here on Medium, but today I did.
Natasha Nichole Lake wrote the following story that pierced my heart and made it burst with yet another layer of deep satisfaction due to the connection and sense of being fully seen in ways that are genuine, uplifting and comforting.
Why isn’t there more content and guidance available to those who choose to start careers, start dating, opt out of motherhood, or discover new passions in their 30s, 40s, and 50s?
What wisdom can you share with a woman in her 30s?
If you’re in your 30s now, share what brings you joy. What do you love most about this decade?
Everybody is welcome to participate in this conversation.
The 30’s was my favorite decade.
It was also one of my most painful — will write in more detail about it some other time.
I began a new career as a license massage therapist.
I went back to college to get my Bachelor’s degree after a 20 year hiatus.
I got my driver’s license for the first time and bought a car all by myself.
I started visiting Europe (primarily Italy) on a regular basis and taking real vacations for the first time in my life.
I stayed in one home in one city for the first time since I was a child/teenager.
The only 2 pieces of “wisdom” that comes to mind that I care to impart at the moment is:
Believe in yourself with your whole heart and don’t let anyone talk you out of doing what you want to do.
and
Talk to yourself like your best friend, not your worst enemy.
Recognize and know the difference.
Shine on lovelies!
Your $5 per month membership allows you to read unlimited stories, contributes to me earning half of that and opens the door to you earning money (I made almost $3,000 in 6 months) on Medium as well.
