Surviving Middle-Age Momhood

Life in Your Forties: Juggling & Surviving

Welcome to the rollercoaster ride that is life in your forties! You've gracefully waltzed through your thirties, but now, you're in the thrilling (used loosely) world of your forties. It's a time when back pain, fatigue, and that unrelenting desire for alone time have become your trusty companions. You're still the superhero of your family (probably), but you've also added a few more superpowers to your arsenal – like the incredible ability to nap anywhere, anytime, or at least want to. Let's take a charming journey into the world of moms in their forties who wear their jeans like a badge of honor when they take off the yoga pants, and even though they can't see like they used to, they see the beauty in every moment.

1. Back Pain Ballet: Your forties usher in a unique dance of back pain and fatigue. Sometimes it feels like you're performing a daily ballet routine, gracefully navigating life's twists and turns while secretly longing for a massage, a spiked beverage, and utter silence. If you have chronic aches and pains like me - like throwing my back out when I go over a speed bump - then click on a few of my favorite things.

What I love:

Epsom Salt Bath*

Biofreeze Patches* (I'm covered in them nightly AND my Physical Therapist recommends them)

Salon Pas* (if they made a body wet suit of these...)

Ibuprofen (you know where to get this!)

Neck pillow*  (this is the one I have and like)

2. The Quest for Alone Time: In the whirlwind of family life, seeking moments of solitude becomes a treasure hunt. Locking yourself in the bathroom for a few precious minutes of alone time feels like winning the lottery. I try to take time for myself each day, even if it's watching Netflix or scrolling Instagram. Some of us work inside to home, some outside, both paid and unpaid... Take some time for yourself regardless of how you spend your day! Oh, and get a planner! A paper one, a digital one, a fridge one... 

What I love:

Effin Birds Planner (caution: lots of swearing and it's amazing)

Fridge Magnet Planner (love this for planning our meals)

A Quick Energy Meditation (I like guided mediation and use the Insight App, but you can use any of the millions out there!)

Sitting in my car in the driveway after an errand pretending to be on a call

3. Eternal Fatigue Fighters: Your energy reserves are a bit like a smartphone battery at 5% – you're in constant power-saving mode. Yet, you manage to keep going, fueled by love for your family (Have to say that right) and an unwavering determination to conquer each day. 

What I love:

I love coffee but I also love Green Tea* (these packets are my favorite)

I do not NAP, but I wish I could - and if you can, DO IT!

4. Love Blooms in Every Wrinkle: With age come those charming laugh lines and a few more gray hairs. You wear them proudly because they're the footprints of a life filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories.

What I love: (face shit is pricey you guys, but these are my absolute favorites)

Facial Recovery Oil* (My mom's favorite! She had FANCY taste) 

Crow Catcher Eye Serum

Tinted Sunscreen/Moisturizer* (I use it everyday, all year!!)

5. The Nap Queen: If napping were an Olympic sport, you'd be the reigning champion. You've mastered the art of napping – in the car, on the couch, even standing up if necessary. You embrace your superpower with grace.

Bless you, if you can nap... I'll leave that right there.

6. Grief's Silent Echo: My family and I lost my amazing momma last year to breast and Ovarian cancer and we are still processing, learning to move forward, and taking time to honor my mom and our own grief. 

Grief is a silent but inevitable visitor that often knocks on our door. It arrives unannounced, uninvited, and often unwelcome. Yet, as a family, we've learned a profound lesson: instead of shunning it, we open our hearts and welcome it in like an old friend -but not like a good friend…

We are not defined solely by our joyous moments but also by our capacity to navigate the choppy waters of grief together. We are a tapestry woven with threads of resilience, compassion, and love—a testament to the enduring power of family bonds and maybe a few meltdowns.

What I love:

There are so many great grief resource out there, but most of all I recommend alone time, new and old family traditions, and finding a great therapist. 

7. The Ever-Changing Jeans: Your jeans may not fit like they used to, but you wear them with style and confidence. Every wrinkle and curve tells a story of a life well-lived, and your weight may fluctuate with your moods and I'll cheers to that!

What I love:

Poshmark, because why pay full price or buy new when my size can change drastically one way or another in a month!

Oh and I love Spanx workout/yoga pants (although I do not like yoga).

8. Navigating the Reading Glasses Era: As the print gets smaller, your trusty reading glasses become your sidekicks. They may be perched on your nose, but your vision for love, laughter, and the beauty in life remains crystal clear. As for me, well, I have night glasses, driving glasses, and computer glasses. Oh, and that constant DRY EYE – both from computer usage and a dry climate.

What I love:

ZocuShield Gel for Dry Eyes* (recommended by my eye doc)
MyboClean Gel and Brushes* (I use eyelash serum (Rodan & Fields), so my oil glands get a little blocked, but I ain’t giving up these babies.)
Lumify Eye Drops (over the counter)

So here's to all the incredible moms in their forties – the eternal nap queens, the laughter warriors, and the keepers of family love. As you gracefully waltz through this life, remember that the adventure is just beginning. Embrace the back pain, cherish the alone time, and keep napping when you can. Your forties are a treasure chest filled with moments worth savoring, and some you probably won't revisit. 

*Of course sometimes I can make a small commission on an item I promote, and if they have a star I am paid. You can also find a few a tour favorite drug store or Target! But some items just come from my favorite places and I'll promote them no matter what!