I turn 40 in exactly 1 day and 14 hours.
I’ll admit, this is the hardest birthday yet for me. Part of what makes it hard is that I loved my 30’s and I’m really going to miss them. Here are a few reasons why:
- I began this new decade with an unforgettable trip to Thailand with my bestie!
- I chaperoned student trips to Italy and Spain and helped my students experience other cultures and gain an appreciation for travel. On that same note, I was a high school teacher for most of my 30’s and it was an extremely rewarding experience.
- I got my Master’s Degree. Granted I don’t use it anymore but obtaining it was a big accomplishment at the time.
- I spent a month traveling with Jay through Bolivia and Peru.
- I witnessed my husband become a Jeopardy! Champ and then got to see him on TV!
- I visited family in my parents’ native Honduras.
- Jay and I got engaged in Rome and then returned there with eleven of the most important people in our lives to get married and celebrate our marriage with them. This trip will forever be the best trip of my life!
- Jay and I had the best honeymoon ever. Ten countries in eight weeks: Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria, and Romania.
- I discovered more amazing places right in our very own backyard:
- Utah: Bryce Canyon, Salt Lake City, the Great Salt Lake at Antelope Island, Bonneville Salt Flats, Whitewater Rafting On Weber River, Zion National Park.
- Arizona: The Wave (!!) and Hoover Dam
- Idaho: Magic Valley Canyon Rim, Craters Of The Moon, Idaho Falls
- Montana: West Yellowstone
- Wyoming: Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Jackson, Devil’s Tower, Rodeo
- South Dakota: Crazy Horse, Mt. Rushmore, Helicopter Ride over the Black Hills, Wind Cave, Badlands
- Jay and I celebrated our second anniversary with a romantic trip to Paris and our fourth anniversary with an amazing trip to Budapest, Bratislava, and Vienna.
- I got to witness and be a part of the weddings of my brother, best friend, and Jay’s sister. I will miss being a bridesmaid!
- I documented the births of my adorable niece Leyla and my handsome nephew Colin. Becoming an aunt and seeing Jay become an uncle has been such a gift.
- I witnessed so many wonderful people in my life become parents, but especially my brother, my best friend, and my sisters-in-law.
- My father recovered from a severe brain stroke. As a result of his stroke, we had him move closer to us and now I get to see him much more often than I used to.
- I discovered running and ran three marathons, five half marathons, and numerous other smaller races.
- We started our photography business and it grew faster than we could ever have imagined.
- I left my teaching job for my dream job of being a full-time photographer.
- From births to 120+ newborns to christenings, birthdays, proposals, baby bumps, family milestones, and 150+ weddings, I’ve had the honor of documenting countless memories for so many wonderful people.
- I’ve met so many amazing people over the last ten years that have each taught me something about life and I’m incredibly thankful for the connections, relationships, and friendships I’ve made.
- I decided that I don’t want a life that glorifies being busy. I’ve learned to say no to more things so that I can say yes to more of the things that truly matter.
- Thanks to wise words by my husband, I’ve learned that life is too short to waste it doing something you don’t absolutely love and not be doing something you look forward to every single day.
As I reflect upon the last decade, I’m beyond grateful but so very nostalgic. The last decade was filled with so much joy that I can’t imagine how my 40’s will be able to top that. Can life actually get better than this? Which leads me to the second reason why I’m having a hard time turning 40.
While I welcomed my 30’s feeling excited about what was to come and I felt like I had my whole life ahead of me, I’m entering my 40’s feeling mostly fearful about what the future holds.
I’m certain that all of these fears stem from the fact that my mother died at age 49. I realize there’s no reason to think I’m going to die at 49, too, but I can’t help but think – what if I’m entering the last decade of my life?
I’ll try not to dwell on that too much but it’s a thought that pops into my head pretty often these days.
I’m hoping that if I embrace life, don’t take anything for granted, and focus on surrounding myself with positive people and experiences, I will be able to let go of this fear little by little.
My biggest dreams for my 40’s are to fill this next decade with happy memories and live past the age of 49. Which means my biggest goal is to become the happiest and healthiest version of myself. No matter where you are in your own journey, I hope this inspires you to also embrace joy and strive to be the best version of yourself, too.
Here’s to a decade full of creating unforgettable memories with loved ones, celebrating joyous occasions, traveling the world, pursuing adventure, eating healthy, and living fit!
Follow my journey here.
itsalexpeterson
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Liz Burkowske
You are the best. You’ll have many many more Birthdays and Adventures. I Love you. Have a wonderful Birthday. My Love to Jay. Love Liz
May . 05 . 18Arya E.
What a thoughtful and inspiring piece Alex! Loved reading every bit of it and very happy to see that you are doing so well 😊
Happy 40th and cheers to a great decade ahead! 🍻
Best,
May . 05 . 18Arya
Laur
Loved reading about your 30s. I know that we don’t see each other often, but I know you and your 40s will be another adventure!
I turn 40 this coming March and my father died when I was 11. Like you, there’s no reason for me to think that I will die so young, but I think the seed is buried in my sub conscience. I spent most of my 20s and 30s traveling the world and I never plan to stop!
Btw, how many countries have you been to now?
May . 05 . 18Sidra Hashmi
I know you’ll wear your 40s as gracefully and excitingly as your 30s! It is just who you are 💛 Wishing you the best as you enter a new era of possibility and adventure!
Best,
May . 05 . 18Sidra Hashmi