How to do 40

Mates.

We have danced, laughed, voice-noted. We have driven to each other’s house in a crisis. We have walk and talked. We have found ways around Covid cancelled Christmas, New Year, Holidays. We have been through the fashion trends. We have listened, dished out advice, shared our inner weirdness.

I’d be nowhere without my funny, patient, supportive mates. You’re the Absolute Best.

Meditate & Be Grateful.

Thank You Sun for Rising Today. I remember hearing that at Yoga and now I say it a lot.

There is always something good to point out. Find 3 things a day and write it down. See over time how much you feel more positive about life. I have 5 little new humans in my life in the UK – 4 nephews and 1 niece. I am grateful daily the family are alive and kicking. There have been close shaves.

Whether 5 minutes, 10 minutes, or 20, meditating now is vital to me. It centres it and lightens me. It calms my mind. And sometimes it does something deeper and I literally have a big grin on my face.

So close your eyes and breathe deep. 30 day money back guarantee.

Drink Less Booze.

GAMECHANGER. Having the willpower to not drink and liking yourself sober is a gamechanger. The fresh feeling the next day and the energy that keeps on building week after week is simply the best. You don’t waste time. You achieve things. You become pretty proud of yourself. And the full-body post-drinking cringe fest becomes no more. 

Career & Purpose.

You have skills and talents the world needs! Noticing what lights you up, what your brain engages in and what you feel motivated to do is key. I love my career now, it’s a combination of my experience and what I enjoy. I started to follow more of what I really enjoyed doing, as opposed to what I felt I SHOULD be doing and began to find my flow.

Listen to your intuition. Understanding my purpose and what I am passionate about has led me here, creating Fire and Forte. I don’t know where it will go but I sometimes wake up at 4am and get my laptop out. I’ll scribble in a notebook in a park, I’ll voice memo myself ideas out on a walk. I am loving writing and creating.

That flows into all areas as personally, I feel much more fulfilled. You’re must better at what you enjoy it turns out . How handy.

Fitness.

Work it baby. Run, Lift, Move. I love a blaring soundtrack and getting into any of those. Running has always been my thing. A long early morning run is one of my favourite things in life. Lifting weights gives me that endorphin buzz and both work for my body too, I like seeing it change.

My local favourite gym gives me not only a solid workout but a laugh as well. And when lockdowns happened, I got my kick from Caroline Girvan’s work outs on YouTube. 

You never regret a workout. In my opinion.

Give Back. And be happier as a result.

Volunteering was on the do list for way too long. I signed up to a Community Charity where I live in Sydney’s Northern Beaches and met Lyndall. Lyndall has cerebral palsy, is smart and funny and strong. Its not always easy seeing her, but the point is you can make a difference & get so much out of it too.

In turn it makes you simply less short tempered, or self centred. How can you be grumpy about how long your coffee is taking or the driver in front of you when you’re aware how challenging life is for some people?

If we all were out there helping out a little bit, I believe we’d all be better connected. Its good to know you can make a difference. So, enjoy.

Tunes.

Pump Up the Jam. Wait for It from the musical Hamilton. Mrs Robinson by Simon and Garfunkel. 

In a slump or wanting to get fired up, release some emotions, blasting a tune is the answer at each moment.

It’s a solid feature of every day. 

Dance music for working out is my Most Played. Moody Gritty Female Power Hip Hop a close second. Then you’ll find me singing with real conviction musicals, love songs, anything with a melody that makes me smile.

I’ll play the new and old discoveries on repeat. Let it Go from Frozen. Break My Soul by Beyonce. Chvrches. Foxes. Little Mix.

Music makes you fire up. So, blast away!

Self Love and Standards.

Love yo’self! When you really love yourself, when you do the work and question the inner critic, when you point out – on a regular basis here, don’t be shy – your brilliant points, you start to feel like the absolute rocket you are.

You are an absolute legend. You’re important to many people. You’re one of a kind and deep down you know it. Love yourself and in turn, your standards get stronger. You make less excuses for bad behaviour, you can set out boundaries and stick to them. You know you’ll feel some pain but you know you’ll overcome it. Good stuff lies ahead should you get this stuff in order.

There is nothing not to love.

Smile. Lots.

Laugh and be ridiculous. Take the mickey out of yourself. Maybe out of others if you’re not upsetting them (a balance I always need to check in on). 

Life is so ridiculous, there is no reason to take it seriously. And there are giggles to be had everywhere. Yes I now laugh a lot to myself and might look mad sometimes but there’s nothing more infectious, nor as good a feeling as giggling away.

And finally…

PARTY!!

Life is short, celebrate the good bits, like your 40th Birthday ;-)