Emily A. Clark

design. simplified.

So Long, Thirties. Hello 40!

Nov162016

Fall family pictures

I went back and forth as to whether or not to even acknowledge this big birthday on the blog. But, as I was thinking back over the last decade, it’s just been too good to not give Him praise. (Plus, some of you have been with me through most of it.) In the last ten years, I’ve birthed three babies, started this blog, attempted a design business, celebrated 16 years of marriage, moved four times, changed churches three times, kept the same best friend and broken my addiction to Diet Dr. Pepper. My body is worse, but my contentment is way better. The beauty of aging—right?

I used to watch all of those women on Oprah talking about how 40 is the best age. You’ve learned to embrace who are you are and let go of (most of) what other people think. I always just thought they were saying that to make themselves feel better because they were, you know, old. Turns out, they were actually telling the truth. Wrinkles and saggy-after-baby-bellies matter less than having fun and counting your blessings. Oh, and you also find out nobody is really looking at you like you thought they were in the first place. It’s SO good when you start to get over yourself, isn’t it?

What nobody actually tells you is that you can turn 40 in age (and body) but mentally still feel 14—for the most part.

So, turning 40 isn’t freaking me out as much as I thought it would. What’s really freaking me out is the fact I’ll have three drivers by the time I turn 50. Now, that’s scary. But, I won’t think about that today and will try my best to savor the good decade ahead.

I know many of you are more “experienced.” So, I’m curious. What’s been your best age so far?

 

photo credit: Hart to Hart Digital Photography

 

 

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Comments

  1. I just turned 50-I wish I could say I had the same enthusiasm about that ;) I loved my early 40s-I felt great-confident, strong and I think I looked my best too. I also had my last baby right as I turned 42-so that was pretty wonderful also. Honestly though, I think my favorite age is wherever I am. I am so fortunate to be healthy, have a wonderful husband, my children are amazing, and I love where I live and the people in my life. I hope that I continue to feel that each age is fantastic. Happy birthday, Emily!

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  2. Happy Birthday! I’m 41 and I have to say, the 40s have been the best! My kids are independent (at 10 and 14) so I have a bit more time for hobbies and girlfriends. We are debt free and in the house of our dreams (my husband and I still linger over memories when we were 26 and debated over spending $3 at Starbucks!) So definitely with age has come more financial security, wisdom and grace. At 41, I don’t stress over what my MIL thinks or really what anyone thinks and I spend my time and energy where I want to spend it, not where others think it should be spent. Welcome to the club!

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  4. I think the “best age” is whatever you are today, and again tomorrow, and on and on. After all, that we are here – today, is what its all about. Took me a long time to figure that out though; I recall crying and locking myself in my bedroom when I turned 21, certainly not the typical reaction to that b-day. There’s good in every day. Happy birthday to you Emily and happy every day too.

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  5. Emily, I’m a long time reader of your blog but have never commented. However, today I had to… Happy 40th Birthday! You are amazing, an inspiration both in design and motherhood, and I can’t wait to see what your 40s bring… Imagine what you can do now that you will have a tad (small tad!) more time for yourself in the coming years! Have an incredible day and you are right to celebrate this milestone with all of your readers. I wish you another wonderful and blessed decade!

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  8. Awww – adored this post!! Happy, Happy Birthday my dear friend!!! What a special day it is. JOY and MEMORIES to last a lifetime. Cheers to YOU and let the 14 year old fun continue!! :)

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  9. Happy Birthday, Emily! If only we could have the life experience of 40+ year olds but keep the wrinkle free skin of our 20 year old selves! I’m much more content at this age and feel like I “know” myself more every year, but to be completely honest, I have had a harder time with the physical aspect of aging than I thought I would. I’m working on that, though, because I know it’s pretty silly. Actually, my kids getting older has affected me more than anything else. I hadn’t realized that my identity was “mom of young kids” until it wasn’t anymore. All of a sudden I have a preteen and a big kid and I don’t even know how that happened! I enjoy them, of course, now that they’re older, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss those chubby little hands and sticky kisses ;)

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  10. I turned 65 this year. The shocker was realizing that I now qualify for Medicare! The body is not the same as it was when I was 21 or 30 or 40 or even 50, but there are so many wonderful things about being 65 (aside from Medicare) that it more than makes up for wrinkles, flabby skin, and more pounds than I’d like to see. Life is full. It’s beautiful and colorful and rich with experience. It’s full of love, lots of laughter, and joy of grandchildren growing. Looking back there have been some bruises along the way, and there’s some fraying around the edges, but there’s also a freeness that doesn’t come until you’re 65. I’ve only been at being 65 since June, but so far, it’s pretty awesome. I highly recommend it. As for turning 40, honey, hold on to your seat. The best is yet to come. Happy birthday!

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  11. Happy birthday Emily! And, thank you for the wise words. I’m taking them to heart as I approach my own 40th in June. Cheers to another wonderful decade ahead!

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  12. Emily –

    I felt the very same when I turned 40! I have LOVED my 40’s – it really is freeing to not care so much what others think and having confidence in yourself and where you are going. Since I had my girls later in life – at 31 and 35, my 40’s were spent really enjoying them. As I face the BIG 5-0 in April I don’t feel so much like I did when I turned 40 – I am not super excited for this big one, argh! But as they say, ‘aging is a privilege denied to many’….so I will try to think of it in these terms. I will tell you that this decade sped on by so enjoy those babies!
    xo~Jill

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  13. Happy Birthday Emily! You look AMAZING, healthy and happy! I don’t know how you do it with a job like this and 5 kids. I am turning 40 in February and I am really looking forward to it. This is my decade I have decided. The last decade was primarily focused on my three young boys. Now that they are getting a little older too, I am going to try to rediscover all the new things that bring me joy. Just potty trained the last one so 40 here I come!

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  14. Happy Birthday Emily! What a happy post! I am 54 and think the age you are is always the best. I can’t imagine anything sweeter than my precious grandchild and being healthy is such a blessing! You make 40 look great! Thanks for a lovely blog!

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  15. Happy Happy Birthday! I’ve loved (for the most part) being in my 40s. I’m more confident, less caring about the things that I shouldn’t be bothered by and more focused and thankful for things I should be. It just feels like life has finally gotten a little easier. I do however wish they’d keep referring to people on tv shows in their 40s as ancient I feel more aware of my age now more than ever! I hope you have a fun day planned!!

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  18. Happy Birthday Emily! I absolutely loved my 40’s. 50’s aren’t too bad either, but you are so right that you learn to let go of the little stuff and cherish everything that you have!
    Let me also explain that having your children start driving can be very freeing as well….someone else to run to the store, pick up groceries and take their siblings to practice. (That’s after you get over the nerve wracking part of teaching them to drive!)
    Holly

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  19. Happy Birthday Emily. I would definitely say that turning 50 does come with a mental and physical freedom. You are settled into life and have truly embraced who you are as a person and friend. You begin to fully understand the importance of surrounding yourself with people that make you feel good and uplift you and the necessity to eliminate anyone and anything in your life that doesn’t serve you well. And as you noted, age really is a state of mind.

    One of my favorite quotes on aging is this…Aging is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength.
    Continued blessing and many happy and ‘youthful’ years ahead.

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    • I agree, Shelley! I’m in my 50’s too and I think for me it boils down to a heightened sense of confidence. I have chosen to surround myself with people who share my values and I no longer feel the need to participate in every activity or social event that crosses my path. But physically, I would love to be 40 again!

      Happy Birthday Emily! Enjoy the next decade!

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  20. I just turned 70 and still feel 14 inside. It is a shock to see myself reflected in a store window since that is not my mental self image. I hate my neck but it still works. Believe me, you are at your prime and when you turn 50 you will see photos of your 40 self and sigh at how young you looked. The same will happen each 10 years. My 80 year old friends say – only to be 70 again. You are right that people aren’t looking at you as you imagined so just dress and act in the way that makes you feel good. I can see you do that already so keep up the good work and Happy Birthday!

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  22. “Oh, and you also find out nobody is really looking at you like you thought they were in the first place. It’s SO good when you start to get over yourself, isn’t it?”

    This. Congrats and welcome to the club :)

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  25. Happy Birthday you sweet young thing! I turned 62 this past summer. So turning 40 seems so young to me. My advice is to savor every day. Life is short.

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  27. Happy birthday! You are a woman of many gifts from the Lord, including those wonderful children. I don’t know that I have a favorite age-more that I have a favorite age, whatever that is, of when all of your kids are in college or beyond. College is great-kind of half in the nest and half out of the nest!

    Love reading about all of your adventures in design and parenting- but you really have me on the edge of my seat, or have I missed it? The kitchen reveal!? 😊 Dying to see the island and beautiful green cabinets and green wallpaper – We all know it will never be completely finished – or when it is, you will change things around, so please show us what you have done! The little snippets are tortuous!
    Big fan in Charlotte

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    • Ha! You haven’t missed anything. I’m just taking my sweet time, decorating it in real life time (which is slow!). The beauty of having nothing sponsored as a blogger, I suppose ;)

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  28. Happy Birthday Emily! We share the same birthday.
    I really enjoyed my 40s ( I am 49 today) it is true that you are more at peace with yourself and think less about what others think of you. It is a time for reflection and being grateful.
    Enjoy your new decade!!!!

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  29. I am 48 (and will be 49 in February) – I can tell you that your 40’s are by far the most fabulous decade! Turning 40 was totally painless for me, because like you, I counted my blessings! I had outlived a few of my classmates and cheated death on several occasions….

    As the years have gone by, I don’t really wish to “look younger,” I just wanted to look good and healthy for my age. Just be kind to yourself and treasure each holiday, birthday and memory.

    I’ll let you know how turning 50 goes!

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  30. 54 is really great for me – my kids are 24 and 21 so I am an empty nester and yet no grandkids yet. My husband and I are using this time to “be our best selves” and enjoy our time like we haven’t been able to since we had kids. Looking forward to all our years ahead! And yes you do look amazing! Happy birthday!

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  34. Happy Birthday, Emily! I agree that every age is the best place to be—-always looking ahead instead of wishing one were younger. My mother never wanted to be older or thought of as older. She even lied about her age on her driver’s license (how did she do that?) by taking 10 years off her age. Sad thing is, she never did get old because she died unexpectedly at age 56. I’m 66 now and I appreciate my life so much more with each passing year. Life is a gift from Him!

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  37. Happy 40th Birthday Emily!! I would say you’re a pretty amazing 40 year old. I’m a 70 year old grandmother with children your age, and really love the age I am. I have found that God continues to give new opportunities, and blesses in different seasons of life. The photo of you with your children is beautiful!

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  38. Happy 40th! It has been so fun to watch your family grow and your blog continue its success over the years. You have been an inspiration to readers- not only by sharing your design talents, but by encouraging your readers to embrace their own style and surround themselves with what they love. Unknowingly, you have helped me have more confidence in my design choices, more so than any other person! Your posts on motherhood have also been really helpful, thanks for your honesty and for sharing stories about the joys of parenting. Wishing you a happy birthday and many more of God’s blessings for you and your sweet family!

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  39. Happy 40th birthday, Emily. My daughter turned 40 in May. I have told her many, many times the 40’s are such wonderful years. I agree with the comments given from your readers. I am 68, a retired teacher, and my dear friends and I celebrate every occasion possible. Remember, laughter is the best medicine.

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  40. Happy happy birthday Emily and happy year ahead! I don’t feel angst about my own age nearly as much as I do my kids’ ages. My oldest just turned 18 and is a senior in high school and THAT feels beyond comprehension! Love the photo of you with all your babies, that is the sweetest.

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  41. When I turned 60 it was the worst (I am now 64) I thought this is so old. All the ages are great and each has its season (well okay so far they are all great) My Mom told me it goes down after 80 ! Happy birthday !

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  43. Happy birthday!! I’m 44 and I still feel like I’m a young mom, although my kids birthdays keep reminding me that I’m not…my oldest turns 21 tomorrow and my baby is 13. Ugh. I have enjoyed every age. I think it’s more about how you feel than a number, so I’d stick with 14 ;)

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  44. Happy birthday Emily!

    I’m 28, it’s my favorite age so far. Not because of the number, but because of where I’m at. Year after year, my “Best age” always is the one I’m currently at. I will always be a sucker for age 13, and 16. falling in love, being stupid, figuring things out, on and on. Those were special years for me. I’ve always felt like age was just a number though. Because isn’t it?

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  45. Hi Emily, My philosophy is this: Don’t regret growing older, many are denied the privilege. We have lost some beautiful young family members. So when I look in the mirror and sigh at my neck (I’m 55) I try to be grateful. Plus, l’ m retiring soon! I just try to be happy at every age! Happy birthday and many more!

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  46. Well Happy Birthday to you (belated)! I’ve always been a person who had to stop and think how old I was when someone would ask me…but this year I turned 60 and that one I remember. I’ve always just gotten on with life no matter what my age. I’m glad you posted about your milestone birthday and shared your blessings. It also gave your lovely and wise readers a chance to respond – I had tears in my eyes as I read some of their comments.

    Here’s to many more birthdays, blessings, and blog posts. 😊

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