Eliza Hartley
Life’s a journey, not a race. Yet sometimes, we can’t help but wonder if we’re keeping pace.
Turning 40 is a significant milestone. It’s a point where you look back and assess your accomplishments and growth. Some people measure success by wealth or status, but the truth is, success is subjective.
In this article, we’ll explore nine accomplishments that truly set you apart in your 40s. This isn’t about money or popularity contests. It’s about personal growth, happiness, and life satisfaction.
So, if you’ve ticked off these nine things on your life’s checklist by your 40s, you’re not just ahead of the game, but you should also be incredibly proud of yourself. Let’s dive in!
1) Financial stability
Money isn’t everything, but let’s not kid ourselves – financial stability matters.
By your 40s, if you’ve managed to establish a solid financial foundation, you’re definitely ahead of the curve. This doesn’t necessarily mean being a millionaire or owning a mansion.
Financial stability is about peace of mind. It’s about having enough savings for emergencies, being able to pay your bills without stress, and having a plan for retirement.
It’s also about financial literacy – understanding how to invest, save, and spend wisely.
If you’ve achieved this by your 40s, you’re not just setting yourself up for a more comfortable future, but also demonstrating smart money management skills that many strive for and fail to acquire.
So give yourself a pat on the back. You’re doing better than you think!
2) Work-life balance
Finding work-life balance is a goal many of us chase, but it’s often a tough nut to crack.
In my 20s and 30s, I was all about the hustle. I poured long hours into my career, climbing the corporate ladder and achieving milestones. But one night, burning the midnight oil yet again, it hit me: my personal life was taking a backseat.
Turning 40 was a wake-up call. I took a step back, reevaluated my priorities, and started setting boundaries at work. I made time for what truly mattered—my relationships, my well-being. Surprisingly, my stress levels dropped, and my productivity soared.
If by your 40s, you’ve found that sweet spot between professional commitments and personal life, trust me, you’re ahead of the curve. It’s not just about managing time; it’s about crafting a life that brings you genuine happiness and fulfillment.
3) Mental resilience
Life doesn’t always go as planned. We all encounter setbacks, disappointments, and sometimes even tragedies. Yet, it’s our response to these challenges that truly shapes us.
In my experience, individuals with strong mental resilience often enjoy better mental health, find more satisfaction in life, and may even live longer.
Take my cousin Phoebe, for instance. In her 40s, she’s faced numerous career setbacks and personal challenges, but she always navigates through them with a positive attitude and determination. This resilience has not only helped her overcome obstacles but has also strengthened her overall well-being and outlook on life.
By the time you reach your 40s, if you’ve mastered resilience—learning to navigate life’s storms with grace and emerging stronger for it—you’re definitely ahead of the curve. It’s a skill that develops over time and experience, and one that you should take immense pride in.
4) Maintaining a healthy lifestyle
Health truly is wealth, and it’s more than just a saying.
By the time you hit your 40s, if you’ve nailed down a routine of healthy lifestyle choices, you’re ahead in multiple ways. That means not just hitting the gym and eating right, but also making time for regular check-ups, getting enough sleep, and handling stress like a pro.
Living healthy isn’t about having a six-pack or running marathons (though those are awesome if that’s your vibe). It’s about respecting your body and mind, giving them the TLC they need.
So, if you’ve stuck with healthy habits into your 40s, it’s a sign of commitment and foresight. You’re investing in a better quality of life for the long haul—and that’s definitely worth celebrating.
5) Personal growth
Life is all about growth. By your 40s, if you’ve been actively seeking out ways to learn and better yourself, you’re truly ahead of the game.
Whether it’s picking up a new hobby, mastering a language, or going back to school, embracing personal growth means diving deep into self-awareness and emotional intelligence. It’s about understanding your strengths and weaknesses, connecting with your emotions, and building empathy for others.
This ongoing journey of self-improvement not only enriches your own life but also enhances your relationships and outlook on the world.
6) Maintaining strong relationships
Relationships are the glue that holds our lives together. They give us love, support, and a sense of belonging.
By the time you reach your 40s, if you’ve nurtured strong relationships—with family, friends, or even colleagues—you’ve achieved something truly precious. It’s not always easy, especially with our busy lives and the inevitable ups and downs.
Building strong relationships takes effort, patience, and empathy. It means being there for others when they need you and knowing they’ll do the same for you.
So, if you’ve maintained strong, healthy relationships by your 40s, you’ve got something priceless. It’s a network of love and support that will stand by you through life’s challenges and celebrate your successes with you. And that’s something to cherish and take pride in.
7) Finding your passion
There was a time in my life when I was stuck in a job that paid the bills but left me feeling empty. I was just going through the motions, lacking any real sense of purpose.
One day, I took a leap and decided to pursue my passion for writing. It was scary and uncertain, but also incredibly exhilarating. Now, I wake up every day genuinely excited to do what I love.
By the time you reach your 40s, if you’ve found and embraced your passion—whether as a career or a hobby—you’ve achieved something truly remarkable.
Think about it. Passion is what infuses our lives with meaning and joy. It fuels our motivation and makes every day feel alive.
8) Helping others
In our quest for personal success and happiness, it’s easy to overlook the value of helping others. Yet, giving back is incredibly fulfilling.
By the time you’re in your 40s, if you’ve made a habit of lending a hand—whether through volunteering, mentoring, or simply being there for someone in need—you’ve embraced a level of altruism that sets you apart.
Let’s be clear: Helping others isn’t just about impacting their lives; it enriches your own. It brings purpose and strengthens our connections. It reminds us of the profound impact of compassion and kindness.
9) Self-love and acceptance
By your 40s, if you’ve embraced loving and accepting yourself—fully embracing your strengths and flaws—you’ve achieved something truly significant.
Self-love isn’t about being self-centered or settling. It’s about recognizing your value, celebrating your accomplishments, and embracing your imperfections.
It’s understanding that you’re a work in progress, and that’s perfectly fine. It’s about treating yourself with kindness, acknowledging your uniqueness, and understanding that you deserve love just like everyone else.
Mastering self-love and acceptance by your 40s unlocks the path to genuine happiness. It’s a remarkable accomplishment to be genuinely proud of.
Life’s success isn’t a race—it’s about thriving in your own journey, one milestone at a time!
In the grand scheme of life, it’s important to remember that success is a journey, not a destination.
True success isn’t just about the recognition we get from others; it’s about feeling fulfilled by what we’ve accomplished.
By the time you hit your 40s, if you’ve ticked off these nine things—financial stability, work-life balance, mental resilience, a healthy lifestyle, ongoing personal growth, strong relationships, pursuing your passions, helping others, and loving yourself—you’re not just excelling. You’re truly thriving in the game of life.
Remember, everyone’s journey is unique. Your path may differ from someone else’s, and that’s perfectly okay. Life isn’t about comparing your chapter 40 to someone else’s chapter 20.
