Entering our 40s marks a transformative phase, prompting us to bid farewell to certain habits and behaviors as we embrace maturity and personal growth. Here are 19 things that we all stopped doing in our 40s because it was time to ‘grow up’.
Late Night Outings
Once upon a time, late-night outings were an exciting part of life. However, hitting the town after dark loses its appeal once we hit our 40s.
Binge-Watching TV Shows
Although we used to stay up all night watching our favorite series, in our 40s, we are satisfied with just a couple of episodes before bedtime. The lure of a good night’s sleep overrules the cliffhanger ending.
Excessive Multi-Tasking
Many people find that the urge to multitask decreases once they reach their 40s. Instead, they prefer focusing on one task at a time, leaving us wondering why we were so keen on juggling tasks in the first place.
Impulse Shopping
Whereas impulse shopping might have been fun in our younger years, in our 40s, we often think twice before splurging. Maybe this is down to more sensible budgeting or having what we need in the pantry rather than what we might want override the need for impulse buys.
Eating Fast Food
For reasons not entirely known, the appeal of fast food begins to wane in our 40s. While convenience still matters, healthier, homemade meals seem much more appealing.
Keeping up With Fashion Trends
We were eager to keep up with the latest fashion trends when we were younger. As we enter our 40s, however, comfort often precedes style, and the drive to be in vogue becomes less attractive.
Competing with Peers
The desire to compete with peers in various aspects of life – from career progress to lifestyle – typically lessens in our 40s. It’s as if the rat race loses its allure, and with age we become more content with what we have.
Going to The Gym for Hours
While maintaining fitness remains important, the urge to spend hours in the gym tends to decline in our 40s. Instead, more balanced, moderate forms of exercise become appealing, and the time we return can be used for other more enjoyable activities.
Worrying About Others’ Opinions
Many people in their 40s worry less about what others think of them. This liberating shift often occurs without conscious effort, leaving us to wonder why we gave so much importance to others’ opinions before.
Living for The Weekend
The urge to live for the weekend, enduring the workweek just for those two days of freedom, often lessens in our 40s. Instead, we value each day more and find activities that can be enjoyed throughout the week instead of exclusively at the weekend.
Consuming Sugary Drinks
Many of us find that sugary drinks lose appeal as we get into our 40s. Despite enjoying them in our younger years, we’re often more inclined towards healthier options like water or herbal tea.
Craving Approval
In our 40s, the need for approval often diminishes. We find ourselves more comfortable in our skin and have the self-confidence to know our priorities and beliefs.
Ignoring Routine Health Check-Ups
Regular health check-ups, often ignored in younger years, become more of a priority in our 40s. The sudden interest in preventive health care often arises as we look at people of similar ages who are more likely to experience aches and pains.
Chasing Popularity
In our younger years, we often strive to be popular. However, in our 40s, we value a few close relationships over a large circle of acquaintances.
Keeping up With Every New Tech Gadget
The need to own the latest tech gadget seems to diminish in our 40s. We become more content with the technology that serves our needs, and the urge to upgrade at every new release fades away.
Trying to Fit In
While we might have tried to conform to fit in in our younger years, this compulsion often fades in our 40s. We tend to become more comfortable with our uniqueness and ways of thinking.
Staying in Discomforting Shoes for Fashion
The willingness to endure uncomfortable shoes for fashion typically dwindles in our 40s. Suddenly, we value the comfort of our feet over style.
Listening to Loud Music
In our 40s, we often find ourselves turning down the volume of our music. The appeal of loud music diminishes through diminished hearing or even changes in musical tastes.
Skipping Breakfast
Skipping the most important meal of the day becomes less common as we age into our 40s. Despite the rush of morning routines, we make time for a healthy start as breakfast is widely know as the most important meal of the day.