#2

Turning 40 has been a turning point for me—a time to embrace who I am and who I’m becoming. 

            And in the words of my oldest sweet angel-baby, Brooklynn, “The F@<k?”

All joking aside, being a mom, a wife, and a teacher, my adult life has always been about taking care of others. So I’m trying to prioritize myself more now—finding my passions, practicing self care and embracing the changes that come with each new chapter. 40 feels like a big deal.  So I did what any normal person would do and created a 40 by 40 list. Don’t worry, you aren’t missing #38-40, they are blank.  I still have almost three months to come up with three more things….

When I asked AI to create a name for my blog for “a teacher mom about to turn 40 doing DIY projects and cooking” it created several names, all corny, but I liked the ring of 40 and Flourishing. I googled flourishing to find the exact definition, Merriam-Webster's website had my favorite:

The meaning of FLOURISHING is marked by vigorous and healthy growth : very active and successful.

I was sold. Growth is important to me.  My top choice for pleasure reading will always be self-help books.  I am very active and I desire to be successful.  Check, check and check!

This milestone isn’t about having it all figured out; it’s about stepping into myself, enjoying the present, and finding joy in every messy, beautiful moment. 40 feels like the beginning of a new kind of growth, flourishing!