40+ and ALL the cliches!

I'm completely fascinated by how I'm so naturally becoming a cliche.

Chat, chat, chat, "Oh look! A bluejay!" Chat, chat, chat, "Eek! A hummingbird!" When did I become such a bird lover? 

Pretty flowers? Don't even get me started! Garden centres are open?! What?! Why are we ANYWHERE else?! It's official. I'm old...ish.

Turn down the radio while driving to see better? Absolutely! How else could I possibly use my eyeballs better?

Scream sing every hip-hop song from the 90s? Yep! Yell out, "I love you!!" to my kids at school drop-off? Heck ya, I do!

Talk to babies? Sure do! Talk to animals? More than humans! Am I even unique at ALL or am I just every  40+ year old woman??

My skin is changing, my hair is thinner, but simultaneously thicker. Wrinkles seem to come out of nowhere and look like they've always been there, yet I also don't recognize them. It's so weird!

I feel so passionately about important things, and couldn't possibly care less about others. I feel exhilarated, and also exhausted. I can't sleep, demons have taken over my legs (aka restless legs) and my brain still thinks I'm 25! HA! Right.

I'm more irritable, but also far more accepting and understanding. I want to do all of the things...but within the comfort of my own 2 acres. I have incredible friendships, but communicate almost solely via meme exchange... The 40s are weird.

"You got a Karen cut!!!", points out my youngest. Well, fuck me. 

It's also such a time for gratitude, simplicity, purging and truly uncomplicating life where possible. I have a  desire to do things that have great purpose or value and know wholeheartedly that time is the most precious thing. Ever.

I like myself more and care less who doesn't. I have confidence, finally, in many of my skills and abilities and compete with no one but myself to advance. I have a suggestion of a filter remaining and am working all the time on not settling for less-than, and standing up for myself, or others, when the situation calls for it. 

I lived a very long time trying to keep the peace with everyone. I worked hard to make others look good, or caring, or thoughtful, if it impacted someone I cared about. I tried to protect people, when it wasn't my job to do it. I'm over it. I'm just me-take it of leave it-Karen cut and all!

Bring it on, 40s! We've got another 6.5 years in this place. Lets make them GREAT ones!

Cheers to all you Karen-cut-lovers, hip-hop rappers and bird watchers- we've got this!