Life After 40: 12 Things To Strive For in the Next Chapter

Forty is the pinnacle of adulthood. Most people are established in their careers and relationships, and their children are growing up and leaving the nest, leaving many middle-aged adults looking to the horizon, wondering what’s next. 

Here’s what you should strive for in your forties and beyond. 

Make the World Better

woman picking up litter as a volunteer, doing volunteer work
Photo Credit: Prostock-studio via Shutterstock.com.

Before forty, we’re mostly too focused on stabilizing ourselves and raising kids to focus on the bigger picture. Now that there’s time to relax, we have the energy to focus on the word. Engage in charity work or pursue civil service to improve the world. 

Coaching and Mentorship

Soccer coach kneeling watching the player's foot work.
Photo Credit: ALPA PROD via Shutterstock.com.

With age comes wisdom. People in their forties make ideal coaches and mentors for the younger generations. Help a few people out by sharing your experiences. 

Collect Experiences

A happy traveler taking a selfie after hiking a mountain to represent safe travels.
Photo Credit: DavideAngelini via Shutterstock.com.

Our forties are the best time to collect experiences. We have the financial stability to afford it and the youth to enjoy it. It’s a prime time to travel the world, try a new sport, or pick up a new hobby.

Change Careers

A happy man leaves work with a box of his things while three figures sit in the background. He quit and he's happy about it.
Photo Credit: SeventyFour via Shutterstock.com.

We sometimes feel stuck in our forties because we’ve been doing the same thing for twenty years. The stagnation drains us. Maybe it’s time to change careers and try something completely different. 

Self-Development

Older woman learning a new skill at a computer with a younger teacher
Photo Credit: Monkey Business Images via Shutterstock.com.

Many people stagnate because they refuse to change. You’re never too old to learn new things. Take classes to develop new skills in your career and personal life. 

Consider What You Want

A woman looks unsure with her hand on her chin and her eyes looking up as if she's thinking about something serious.
Photo Credit: Roman Samborskyi via Shutterstock.com.

In our early adulthood, most of our time is spent people pleasing. We spend our youth trying to fit in and our early adulthood caring for kids. Once you hit your forties, you can start exploring what you want. 

Plan for Retirement

A retired older woman reviews her account statements.
Photo Credit: Ground Picture via Shutterstock.com.

If you haven’t already considered retirement planning, you must start immediately. At forty, you have another 25 years until retirement, but it will be gone in the blink of an eye. If you start planning now, you can still achieve financial security in retirement, but the longer you put it off, the harder it will become. 

Treat Your Body Well

A smiling older woman working out with free weights.
Photo Credit: Prostock-studio via Shutterstock.com.

If you haven’t taken health seriously, you must start now. Eat healthier meals, engage in physical activity, and get yearly physicals. 

Me Time

A woman calmly meditating to represent setting intentions.
Photo Credit: Dean Drobot via Shutterstock.com.

Schedule time to celebrate yourself in your forties. Meditate, read, take yourself on dates. It’s the perfect decade for getting to know yourself. 

Have Something To Look Forward To

Happy excited woman on an orange background.
Photo Credit: Cast Of Thousands via Shutterstock.com.

Anticipation is the best feeling. Always have something on the horizon to look forward to, whether a trip, a night out with friends, or a new game release. The anticipation makes life exciting. 

Keep Striving

Silhouette of man climbing mountain with his shadow watching to represent motivation
Photo Credit: KieferPix via Shutterstock.com.

At forty, many people feel like they’ve won the game. But it gets boring when you win. You must keep challenging yourself. Set new goals both at work and in your personal life. The fun in life isn’t achieving the goal; it’s the journey. 

Turn it Around

Man sitting with his hands near his chin, sadly thinking and seriously thinking
Photo Credit: spixel via Shutterstock.com.

For some people, reaching forty is no different than any other year. They’re still broke, have no prospects, and are generally unsatisfied with life. 

It’s time to turn it around. You can have a better life, but you must start working for it now.

How To Improve Your Life

happy woman dressed in yellow celebrating her accomplishments on a yellow background
Photo Credit: Mix and Match Studio via Shutterstock.com.

If you’re not ready for the hard work, take smaller steps that will help you improve your life starting today. 

Find out more: How To Improve Your Life Right Now

The Best Platforms for Online Learning

Happy young man using a laptop computer on a purple background.
Photo Credit: G-Stock Studio via Shutterstock.com.

Ready to learn cool new stuff online? Check out these awesome platforms!

Be True To Yourself

happy woman holding shopping bags
Photo Credit: Dean Drobot via Shutterstock.com.

To live a happy, healthy, life, you must be true to yourself. It can be hard to be ourselves when society wants to force us to be something we’re not. Here are 16 ways to be unapologetically you.  

27 Creative Hobbies You Can Start Today

cutting pieces for crafting with little craft boxes filled with tiny items
Photo Credit: LanaSweet via Shutterstock.com.

Develop new skills with a new hobby. Check out an epic list of new hobbies to try.

Read it here: 27 Unique & Creative Hobbies To Enhance Your Life

How To Find Your Passion

Man raising arms looking at the view after climbing a high mountain
Photo Credit: solarseven via Shutterstock.com.

Learning new skills is a major step towards discovering our true passion in life. Need extra help?

Discover How To Find Your Passion and Life the Life You’ve Always Wanted

 

Author: Melanie Allen

Title: Journalist

Expertise: Pursuing Your Passions, Travel, Wellness, Hobbies, Finance, Gaming, Happiness

Melanie Allen is an American journalist and happiness expert. She has bylines on MSN, the AP News Wire, Wealth of Geeks, Media Decision, and numerous media outlets across the nation and is a certified happiness life coach. She covers a wide range of topics centered around self-actualization and the quest for a fulfilling life.