So it happened; a few days ago I turned the Big 4-0. And I’ve got to be honest, it’s been pretty awesome. I’ve never been someone who shies away from my age or dreads birthdays, so it’s not a huge surprise to me that I enjoyed turning 40 immensely. But now, a couple weeks later, I still feel a sense of peace and joy wash over me whenever I remember I’m 40 now. I wasn’t expecting that.
So how did I, the perpetually single, childless, celibate, poor, awkward spinster, get to this place of incredible contentment while entering into middle age? I’m taking this week to write a series on 5 tips for singles to grow older with joy and hope, with 1 tip per day.
Tip 1: Celebrate with Friends and Family
Many men and women don’t enjoy their birthdays. For some, the thought of growing older each year is terrifying, others don’t want to make a big deal out of it or have attention on themselves, while others feel they don’t have close friends or family with whom to celebrate. We can choose to look at birthdays as reminders of our mortality, or like me, see them more like merit badges. Each year, I’m like “stick that new year onto my age, I earned that sucker!”
Part of rejoicing in the Lord always (Philippians 4:4) is learning how to rejoice in what he’s done in our lives. Each new year of life gives us another opportunity to rejoice in him. Even if it’s been a tough year, the fact that he got us through it is enough to celebrate. So, find a way to rejoice that works for you, but I encourage you to include others. Some years, my birthday is marked by a small immediate family dinner at home with a cake made by my mum. Every once in awhile I’m out of the state or country on my birthday, so celebrate with one or two other people who happen to be near. Other years, the whole month is filled with lunches, dinners, coffees, and mini-celebrations here and there as I touch base with friends as we come and go in the middle of summer. And other years, like this one, I get to have a huge birthday bash.
No matter what, I try my best to celebrate with friends and family. To thank God for being with me through yet another year, and for giving me the gift of a new one written for me, though yet unseen. Because I am prone to depression and cynicism, these moments of planned rejoicing are even more important – they force me to stop and give thanks (I Thessalonians 5:18).
ProTip:
If you’re a perpetually single man or woman who is about to get a little older than you’d like, my suggestion to you is to celebrate the heck out of it. Give thanks God got you through another year. Add that year on and wear it with honor.
Swing by the Awkward Spinster tomorrow for the next tip in the How to be Single, Celibate, and Happily Turn 40 series.
Great post! Though it’s three years away, I’m already saving for what I hope is a massive 50th birthday in New York. And Happy belated Birthday to you!
Oh my gosh, that’s going to be one awesome 50th, Theresa! I love it. It just makes these milestones so much more positive if we have something to look forward to. 🙂