Are there things that everyone âshould knowâ by age 40?
As the âgenerationsâ evolve, so does the experience of âgrowing up.â For example, the âGreatest Generationâ had it different than the âBaby Boomersâ, who (certainly) have experienced life differently than millennials. No offense, young ones. Generational differences aside, the accumulation of âlife knowledgeââ at least to an extent â depends on involuntary factors (e.g. sex and type of upbringing). In creating this list, weâve taken these things into account.
This question is very subjective. 40 years is a long time (at least in human years), and many of us have very likely gained life experiences and knowledge that are applicable to other 40-somethings.
In other words, it is highly probable that many in this demographic have a shared understanding â at least at a basic level â of âhow the world works.â So, weâre going to list 40 things everyone âshouldâ know by age 40? Why 40 things? Weâll let you try and figure that one out.
It is important to understand that this article, as with many we publish, are intended to be fun, humorousâŚand, maybe, a bit insightful. Some of these may apply to you, some (most likely) will not.
We just want you to have fun, laugh a bit, and maybe (maybe) take away something else.
âLife really does begin at 40. Up until then, you are just doing research.â – Carl Jung
AnywaysâŚhere are those 40 things/experiences/lessons:
1. Weekend benders are ALWAYS a bad idea
2. Nothing beats a good nightâs sleep
3. Oneâs âcareer pathâ can include multiple forks in the road
4. Having your own den/mancave/hideout is irreplaceable
5. Your social circle has become smaller and smaller â and for the better
6. A night alone or with a significant other beats âhitting the townâ almost every time
7. Youâve had at least one great love that took some time to get over
8. To have kids or to not have kids? Odds are, you know the answer by now
9. To have a pet or not have a pet? Same thingâŚitâs either your âthingâ or not
10. Youâve experienced at least one tragedy, unfortunately
11. Youâve ate something completely strangeâŚand now love it
12. Youâve fought for something bigger than yourselfâŚby donating money, giving time, etc.
13. Singing karaoke is enough to induce a panic attack if sober
14. Singing karaoke can be a blast (or at least tolerable) when youâve âhad a fewâ
15. Fashion sense matters as much as the color of your toiletâs lid
16. Youâve (hopefully) realized the inevitability of death â and seek to live to the fullest
17. If you’re not a âpeople person,â youâll (probably) never be one
18. Fatty foods seem to have an immediate bloating effect
19. Exercise is a wonderful antidote to just about anything
20. A good read is a wonderful antidote to just about anything
21. The word âsuccessâ takes on much, much less meaning
22. Intimacy (i.e. âsex lifeâ) is wonderful in moderationâŚand when youâre in love
23. The youngsters look to you for advice more often â for better or worse
24. Dancing is either (a) completely acceptable (you can dance), or (b) completely off limits (just, no)
25. 99 percent of the stuff learned in college is not â and never will be â an important part of your life
Related article: 25 Things You Should Do While You’re Still Young
26. Slippers, a robe, a cardigan â you either own one of theseâŚand/or you enjoy crossword puzzles
27. Marijuana (aka, âpotâ)âŚyou either enjoy the occasional hit, or you absolutely refuse
28. Your internal bull**** meter has been finely-tuned, or at least received a tune-up
29. Talking to people on the phone is limited to (a) co-workers or (b) family â about 99 percent of the time
30. Being âuninvitedâ to something can feel really, really good
31. Formal work events almost always suck
32. Playing videogames, computer games, and/or other games are still really funâŚor not
33. Not having âa planâ has been totally worth itâŚor the âplanâ has yielded a good life
34. Incoming phone calls, e-mails, and other communications are looked upon with disdain
35. Taking the time to learn something new is almost always stoked by passion, not persuasion
36. Arguing with someone is: (a) pointless, (b) a waste of energy, and (c) âisnât my favorite show on right now?â
37. Youâve either wished to travel the world, donât care, or have obtained a passport
38. Come to realize that hangovers are both miserable and completely avoidable
39. The âSnoozeâ button looks really, really good from Monday through FridayâŚmaybe even Saturday and SundayâŚ
40. Realized that 40 is still youngâŚand youâve got plenty left in the tank â and youâre grateful for that.
How about you, dear reader, can you identify with any of these 40 âthings you should know by age 40?â
Weâd love to hear your feedback!
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