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People Share Hilariously Relatable Examples Of What “Life In Your 40s” Has In Store

Image consists of words that say, "This is so weird. Yesterday I found myself talking to a crow that landed on my deck. It wanted food and waited for me to go get a breakfast bar and come back. When he grabbed it I took a video and posted it on social media. I have literally become that old man you see on.a park bench feeding seagulls."

Growing old is the pits, trust me. I’ve been there and done that. I lived to tell about it and learned many things about life in your 40s along the way. The topic is also a popular one on Reddit threads. One Redditor conversed earnestly with birds as she refilled and moved feeders around the yard.

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Image shows a screenshot of a Reddit post about refilling and moving bird feeders while arguing with the birds to illustrate what life in your 40s is like.
Image from Reddit.

As you add years and your children grow up and leave the nest, you may talk to birds, squirrels, bunnies, and all your pets. Here’s a hint — if they’re answering you in human language, you may have other things going on. Sometimes, your brain soaks up knowledge that you have no clue about. One day, you’re ignorant about everything; the next day, you find yourself naming the species of birds in your yard.

Image shows a screenshot of a Reddit post highlighting how "life in your 40s" automatically results in everyone being able to identify bird species by name.
Image from Reddit.

“This is so weird,” one 40-something commented on Reddit. “Yesterday I found myself talking to a crow that landed on my deck. It wanted food and waited for me to go get a breakfast bar and come back. When he grabbed it I took a video and posted it on social media. I have literally become that old man you see on a park bench feeding seagulls.”

Another noted the recent 4th of July holiday with a keen observation: “I went to bed at 4 p.m. and woke up at 11 on the 4th of July. 41 doesn’t hit like 21 did.” It certainly doesn’t. In the same thread, a different person added an affirming comment. “Sometimes I nap too long and I need another nap.” The truth in both statements hurts.

Although life in your 40s can bring about many new (and sometimes negative) changes, it isn’t all bad. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains life expectancy ratings for men and women. While the CDC states the average for males in 2021 is 73.2, it is 79.1 for women. That means, at 40, you’re just reaching middle age.

Image shows a variety of different types of squash.
Image from Wikimedia Commons.

Life In Your 40s Doesn’t Mean The Rest Is All Downhill

When people hit 40, they typically have a stable career, have children, and are somewhat settled. Many take the time to evaluate life goals and reassess things. But 40 is not the beginning of the end. If you’re not ready to give up on life, install a couch-to-5K app on your phone and start training to run a race! Pickleball is becoming a popular sport, too, and you can join a local league. There is also bowling. If you’re over 45, don’t forget to sign up with AARP to live the good life with all the senior deals available.

Or you may need to plant squash like the Redditor who said, “Yeah, I just built a raised garden bed and am super excited to plant squash!” If talking to the birds in your yard is one of your activities, you can learn how to have those birds eating out of your hand. The Bird Whisperer explains how in an easy step-by-step tutorial. Whatever you decide to do, do it well and enjoy life in your 40s.

You can find the source of this story’s featured image here.

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