Why do women dread turning 40? Let me share my story. Oh, the thrill of celebrating my 41st birthday! As I reflect on the wild ride of my 20s, I'm amazed by my incredible transformation. I conquered real challenges and emerged stronger than ever before. There were moments when I teetered on the edge of survival, but here I stand, a warrior of my own destiny.

In my younger years, I sought solace in the allure of alcohol, believing it necessary for having fun, fitting in, and making friends. But as I grew, I shed that illusions. Those shallow connections revealed their true colors, and I realized I actually liked my life more without it. I have spent the past 13 years in sobriety and I am so grateful everyday that I get to experience this life with all my senses present. Something I wish I had understood at a much younger age.

Entering my 30s marked a powerful shift. I realized that my past mistakes and struggles were not to be blamed on conditions like my upbringing. No, I had to take ownership of my life and my choices, having lived independently for over a decade I had no place blaming things on people like my parent. It was time to unpack the emotional baggage of my childhood and embark on a journey of self-discovery. This discovery would prove to be one of the most empowering lessons I have learned, and I'm still learning.

Heartbreaks and toxic relationships didn't break me. Instead, they shaped me into a fierce and discerning lover. I've learned to identify those crimson flags and to believe them when I see them. Setting healthy boundaries has become like a new best friend, as I walk towards a deeper sense of self love. For truly, I am the greatest lover my soul has ever known.

I got over the societal notion that somehow a woman needs a man to be deemed good or on the right track. I was perfectly okay being alone, nothing was wrong with me for enjoying being alone, and I got to spend the last 3 years of my 20’s loving life, healing, and having some of my favourite years ever. On my 30’s Birthday I met my husband, and I whole new path of healing began.

The right partner brings not only companionship and friendship but also serves as a mirror reflecting my strengths and weaknesses. Together, we foster growth, stimulating the emergence of the absolute best version of ourselves. I remember before I met my husband, asking for someone who would challenge me to my deepest core, and well let’s just say I got what I asked for. A divine union is not always the bliss we thought we where looking for, but it is the right ingredient for polishing us into our best selves.

Through the years, I've basked in the radiant moments shared with cherished friends. Some may have drifted away, but their impact is eternally etched in my heart. In my 20s, I wandered a path of diverse occupations, navigating the maze of options life put before me. I discovered what stirred my soul, unveiling the passions that ignited my being, and I discovered al the things that didn't .

Ah, in my 30s, a whole new world revealed itself through my enchanting journey into Boudoir Photography. It became a source of inspiration, casting transformative spells upon others and nurturing their souls. A path of immense worth that fills my own heart endlessly. To further enhance the splendor of my thirties, I embarked upon a journey of Burlesque performance on my thirty-ninth birthday; an extraordinary way to commemorate this milestone. This experience solidified for me the belief that it is never too late to embark on a new journey, and 40 really isn’t as old as society has tried to make it sound.

This journey to my 40s dances with tales of triumph, lessons learned, questionable fashion choices—each moment shaping me into the resilient being I stand as today. My heart cherishes every broken shard, every dream that danced just beyond my reach. Small victories and moments of fulfillment sprinkle my path like stardust.

Yes, the new wrinkles and the desire for extra sleep may not be my favorite parts, but they are mere brushstrokes on the canvas of my life. I embrace my gray hair with audacious confidence, a testament to the battles won, the control seized. Every strand whispers, "You are here, more alive than ever before."

At 41, I adore and hold reverence for the enchanting woman I've become. I wear my past, luminous and ornate, for it has molded me into the masterpiece standing tall today. As I venture into the boundless expanse of the future, I'm intoxicated by the possibilities that shimmer ahead. Turning 40 marked the birth of a new chapter, and with butterflies in my soul, I impatiently await the wondrous adventures that beckon me.