I’m 44 today! Yay!!! Whooo hooooo! I love my forties.
I’m not even fucking around people. I adore this decade and I actually think it’s only going to get better. As you all already know I was with Glynnis last week for her fiftieth in Paris and she said, “50 is amazing!”
I think this is so important to shout from the rooftops. For too long women have been told that each decade represents a shriveling away of our place in the world, that we will get smaller and sadder and less impactful.
This is a lie perpetuated mostly by men, probably because they have long been afraid of the power and vitality of women as we age. I feel great. I think I look great. I just no if hr myself some fierce ass new bras and I’m psyched for this year.
Last year I made my 43 things I know are true by 43…random life advice and wisdom from 43 years on the planet.
Back by popular demand is my list for 44. A couple might be repeats but that’s because they’re so good I had to add them again….or I forgot I put them on the old list.
Stop measuring success in daily productivity. It will usually just bite you in the ass. Measure it in chats with friends, hugs with kids, walks, laughs, cheese eaten.
Impromptu dance parties are important and should be encouraged and nurtured whenever possible.
Buy birthday presents in bulk when you see something cool. I just bought a dozen of these weird food candles in Paris.
Red lipstick is an outfit.
It’s OK to question your doctor. The traditional healthcare system is constantly leaving women patients behind and in pain.
Buy real books from real book stores if you want to support real people. Clearly you can buy a few more copies of The Sicilian Inheritance as gifts :) which leads me to….
You are your own best cheerleader. It’s OK to sell the wonderful things you make and do.
Cheese makes most things better.
Boundaries are a necessity. Say no. Leave the party early. Walk away when you’re tired.
Always keep birthday cards around.
It’s totally OK to recycle kids’ birthday presents if you A. already have something or B. know your kid won’t like it because it isn’t “them.”
Speaking of, most of the time you really don’t need to bring a present to kid parties. Most parents want less stuff.
Marriages go through seasons. Sometimes it’s cold and you need to bundle up and other times the sun comes out and all you want to do is take off all your clothes.
One person’s trashy novel is another person’s Tolstoy.
If your kid tells you not to look somewhere or go in a certain room you should definitely do those things.
Clean out your closet before you go shopping because you probably don’t know what’s in there.
More than six people at a restaurant dinner is too many people in a restaurant. Just hang out at someone’s house.
Be friends with people who want you to drop by unexpectedly and sit on their couch.
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