This Is 46
I’ve been thinking about aging lately.
When I saw the movie “This is 40″ I wondered if everyone is as freaked by turning 40 as Leslie Mann’s character who was so horrified she couldn’t even let anyone including her kids say she was 40; she just kept emphatically insisting she was 38. Is this relatable?
Well I’m 46 and I have no trouble announcing it to anyone who asks or even doesn’t ask. I’ve never felt better. I’ve done a lot, I’ve seen a lot, I’ve felt a lot and I’m finally in acceptance of who I am.
I work out because I love to sweat, because I want to be healthy for my kids and because working out is God’s mood stabilizer. I work out because I want to be stronger and live longer but not because I’m desperate to lose five pounds.
In fact, fuck five pounds.
I’ve finally accepted that I have a bigger butt but it doesn’t define me like it did in high school and for too many years beyond – years where if I was naked with a man I would do a ridiculous sideways saunter out of a room to avoid giving a straight on look at the ass. These days, it’s no longer a liability, just part of who I am – my distinctive mark. I can finally own my flaws.
Does this mean that I embrace every wrinkle on my face, let my hair go gray and spend my time in comfortable Aerosoles shoes? Oh hellz no (I’m open to change). I love Botox and get it any chance I can afford it. I had laser lipo on the back of my thighs but only because it was offered to me for free. I try to take care of my skin and body because inside I still feel 25 and I’d prefer if my outside reflected a tiny bit of my inner feisty attitude.
I want to wear pink boots, go rollerskating and listen to Carly Rae Jepson or Tupac or some sort of acoustic vagina music really loud in the car. I got my belly button pierced at 30 and my first tattoo last year. Sometimes I still shop at Forever 21 despite the fact that I passed 21 twenty-five years ago.
Okay, my back gets jacked up when I try to do a cartwheel on the front lawn, and all of a sudden I can’t go on the teacup ride at Disneyland without getting nauseous and feeling a migraine coming on and to be totally honest I’d prefer being home on the couch with reality TV and a comfy throw than out at a party or God forbid nightclub any day of the week.
But the bottom line is I’m fine with 46. Actually I love 46. And I truly believe that age doesn’t need to be a stigma. If we all just proudly said our age and showed our real face I think the world would be a more comfortable place. So as an experiment, I asked my over 40 friends far and wide if they would send me their picture and let me post it with their real age. I couldn’t believe how many wanted in – so many I had to split it into two posts and even have another one for over 50!
Let’s rock our forties!
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Jennifer
This is 41
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Lisa
This is 48
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Dana
This is 41
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Marisa
This is 46
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shawn kathleen
This is 43!
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Lissa
This is 41
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Caroline
This is 47
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Jen
This is 40
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Andrea
This is 44
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Shaunna
This is 43
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Alexandra
This is 40
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Shari
This is 49
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Elizabeth
I turn 42 on Jan 22 and refuse to act my age.
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Rene
This is 49
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Moira
This is 42
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Kitty
This is 44
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Wendi
This is 45
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Jennifer
This is 43
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Andrea
This is 47
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Devra
This is 45
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Ellie
This is 43. Wouldn't trade it for the world. Love my life.
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Debra
This is 45
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Kristen
This is 41
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Pamela
This is 42
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Beth
This is 43. 43 baby. Hottest and most in love with myself i have ever been! Boom.
Want more from me on Babble? Try This Is 40 Part Two
or 6 Things You Have To Give Up When You Have Kids
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I’m straight and all, but DAMN! I think I might have a thing for 40+ women! Smokin’ hot, ladies.
Thanks for including me, Stefanie! Those are some fantastic 40+ women and I’m just delighted to see their gorgeous faces. Oh, and I get sick on the teacups now too.
Love,
Shari
That 49 year old lady looks like Pamela Des Barres!
Thanks SWT – you rock! 40 was ok, but the birthdays since (2 of em) have been a bit rougher.
It’s nice to see other ladies out there who are 40+ and proud.
(photo not available :) )
I love to see these beautiful women at 40, great article. Women are beautiful at every age, however I never see any articles that promote the 70 year old ladies. I’m 73, feel like I’m 45 and can keep up with my grandchildren very well at this age.
Thanks for listening/reading!!
[...] more from me on Babble? Try This is 46 (Part 1) or This is 40 (Part [...]