I hit the big Four-Oh this month.
I think it's inevitable that people take stock of their lives when a milestone like this one arrives, and I am no different.
For me, it was an opportunity to realise how grateful I am. If I showed 20-year-old me what my life is like, I think that kid would be super impressed. I'd have to tell him that all this comes with a lot of hard work, but even more from good luck and the support from the people around me.
I was lucky enough to have two celebrations - the first on my actual birthday while away on holiday with close friends, and the second a week later with a lot of friends and family.
I mean, a lot. Our garden was packed with people. I've got to be honest, it was a little overwhelming at some points. I mean, I know all these people? I have relationships with all of them that should be nurtured and maintained? How the hell did I do that?
But then I got over that and started to enjoy myself, and I had a thought: all these people like me and want to be here, celebrating and having a good time.
If you know me well, you know that my low self-esteem and imposter syndrome would usually NEVER let me think that, but now I couldn't argue with the evidence.
Maybe I'm kind of a good dude, who's actually pretty capable of doing good things. I may even be the kind of guy people like to be around.
I thought turning 40 would be this huge existential crisis thing, but it actually turned out to be massively validating and edifying. This is something I hope everyone can experience at some point, but I don't think it's as common as it should be.
Of course, none of that would be possible if it weren't for my wife putting out all the stops to make sure I felt special, important and celebrated.
So I guess my first thought about turning 40 was correct: I should be super grateful.
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