It’s my 41st birthday today, and honestly, I’m not quite sure how I feel about it. Age doesn’t bother me much, but I can’t ignore that my body is getting older. That’s why I’ve become serious about eating well and exercising regularly.
Life has been throwing some reminders my way lately. A few friends have passed away far too young, and my parents are getting older too. I check on my mum quite often – she had a stroke three years ago – and I’m always hoping she stays well and happy.
A Story That Changed My Perspective
When Mum was in hospital three years ago, she told me something important. She explained why there’s a 16-18 year gap between me and my siblings. The family couldn’t afford more children, and she’d had abortions. I was supposed to be one of them. She took so many pills trying to end the pregnancy, but somehow it didn’t work.
She felt guilty sharing this, but I’m glad she did. It explained a lot – especially why I was always poorly as a child with a really weak immune system. Everything changed about ten years ago when I finally learnt how to look after my health properly. It was like my whole life turned around.
Living Life at 52%
Last year when I turned 40, I made myself a promise: live life to the fullest. My goal was to explore as many new places as possible, and I actually did it. I visited places I’d never been or even thought I’d like, and it really changed how I see life.
Looking back at my priorities:
- 20s: Getting my degree, trying to experience as much as possible
- 30s: Taking risks with my career, moving to London, getting my first home
- 40s: Focusing on my physical and mental health and spending more quality time with the close ones
Here’s what got me thinking: the average man lives to about 79. At 41, I’m already at 52% of my life (if nothing unexpected happens). That’s a bit overwhelming when you think about it.
Anyways, let’s roll back through some old pics, shall we?
What I’m Doing Now
I’ve made a promise to myself to invest more in my health and wellbeing. That means:
- Keeping up with exercise and eating well
- Taking care of my mental health, not just my physical health
- Keeping my circle small – just a few close friends
- Spending quality time with people who really matter
Life’s too short for anything else. Thanks for reading my first blog post – here’s to making better choices.
