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Aging is an interesting thing; most of us do it, if we're fortunate enough. But knowledge and wisdom aren't the only things age brings us. We also start aching in the places where we used to play, as Leonard Cohen sang.

Today, we're shining the light on young midlifers: the folks in their 40s. We've gathered up the most hilarious and relatable posts from the people on X (Twitter) about what life is like once you hit 40, and present it to you, Pandas. Care to see what's waiting for you ahead or want to know if anybody else has your midlife struggles? Scroll away!

Bored Panda wanted to know more about keeping up with good health when you're in your 40s, so we reached out to the health and wellness coach Youna Angevin-Castro. She shared some realistic health and fitness goals for people entering their 40s, debunked some common misconceptions, and pointed out some overlooked aspects of self-care every 40-something-year-old should know. Read her expert insights below!

More info: Thrive Over 40 | Instagram | Facebook

#1

Screenshot of a tweet about being in your 40s, highlighting self-acceptance and energy conservation.

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LuckyL
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2 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think that that's why I feel like I have more confrontational communiations - I just don't want to stay silence anymore to not cause trouble. I speak up. And people around me are not used to it.

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Youna Angevin-Castro is a wellness coach specializing in midlife health. When working with her clients, she invites them to shift their focus from purely aesthetic goals to optimizing their overall well-being and longevity.

"For many of us – especially women – our forties are only the halfway mark, and we may have another 30-40 years ahead of us, so the focus should be on staying fit and healthy for as long as possible," she told Bored Panda.

"In our 40s, both men and women begin experiencing natural muscle loss and changes in metabolism," Angevin-Castro explains. That's why strength training is essential if we want to maintain bone density and muscle mass. 

"I recommend setting goals around functional activities – being able to carry groceries easily, play with children or grandchildren without getting winded, and maintain good posture and mobility throughout the day," the wellness coach says.

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    #3

    Tweet by Jessica Valenti humorously reflecting on thoughts from teenage years while being in your 40s.

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    LakotaWolf (she/her)
    Community Member
    7 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I got this one beat. I remember fourth grade, at the end of the school year, everyone was walking around with our yearbooks getting our teachers and classmates to sign them. I was (unsurprisingly) already the weird and socially awkward Lakota you all know and love today. Only my teachers had signed my yearbook. I had no friends. Suddenly, the most popular (and cutest) boy in class walked right up to me, making eye contact with me, and I grabbed his yearbook right out of his hands and started to sign it, absolutely awash in excitement that the Popular Kid wanted ME to sign his yearbook. He looked really confused and said "Oh, uh, I actually just wanted to know if you knew where Lucas is." (Lucas was his best friend.) He hadn't wanted me to sign his yearbook at all. I was 10 years old. I will be turning 43 next month. I have never forgotten the searing embarrassment of that moment. Ryan, if you're out there, and you remember Chia Pet Girl, thank you for being kind about it afterwards XD

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    Women in their 40s have another thing to deal with – perimenopause. Angevin-Castro emphasizes the importance of adapting health routines to hormonal changes. "Women may find that exercise routines that once worked for them are no longer as effective as they once were," she says. "Rest and recovery become much more important to long-term well-being."

    "There are no hard and fast rules because everyone's experience of perimenopause is individual, but I encourage my clients to focus on consistent, sustainable movement that energises rather than depletes your body. Find something you love doing and do it regularly – even better if you can do it with friends. And make sure to build adequate rest into your weekly routine," the health and wellness coach notes.

    #4

    Happy potato vs. wrinkled potato humorously depicts aging in your 40s.

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    James016
    Community Member
    6 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I got terrible hangovers in my 20s, the last one after drinking a couple of bottles of beer. Went teetotal after that. My body just said no more.

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    #6

    Tweet about turning 40, humorously noting it's not a midlife crisis but just being awake.

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    R1MV4Superleggera
    Community Member
    11 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Right! First thing first! What on God's green EARTH is "midlife crisis"? Believe me! In my now 40 years of age (yeah! I know, I'm way old!) and I've done sooo many things that...well, what's out there that can help me to get some awesome adrenaline rush?

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    As you'll see from the tweets we've collected here, many people think that exhaustion, weight gain, and loss of vitality are just natural parts of aging. But Angevin-Castro says it's not true. "While both men and women experience age-related changes, these shouldn't significantly impact quality of life."

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    "For women, there are additional misconceptions around perimenopause and menopause," she adds. "Many believe these transitions must be endured with suffering. But with the right support and understanding, women can navigate these changes while maintaining energy and well-being. The idea that mood swings and weight gain are inevitable is a myth," the wellness coach explains.

    #7

    Tweet humorously capturing life in your 40s, about memory quirks.

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    R1MV4Superleggera
    Community Member
    10 hours ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    What is with this "40's" rubbish? Honestly, I'm not mad or anything because this year, I will be 40! Are these people saying those things because their miserable frames cannot do anything exciting and don't have the guts to do so? Now that is sad!

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    #8

    Tweet about entering your 40s humorously contrasts "good health" with "good health for your age."

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    Libstak
    Community Member
    7 hours ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I remember reaching 40 and after the panic wore off, i said to myself, "ya know 20 years from 1 to 20 went so slow, it was a million years ago so stop worrying lots of life left to live." I feel like i said that 2 weeks ago and now im 58, wtf.

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    The wellness coach points out that everyone ages differently. However, hormonal changes can make it more challenging, especially for women. She urges individuals to look for support. "Start a conversation with [your] healthcare provider about what's happening and discuss the options available to [you] to alleviate negative symptoms," Angevin-Castro says.

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    #10

    Tweet about being in your 40s and finding retirement homes appealing.

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    Kate Jones
    Community Member
    2 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm single with no kids and like the idea of having medical personnel nearby in case something happens to me. I plan to get a life alert necklace and stay home as long as possible, but I’m okay with the idea of a nursing home. I don’t want to be lying on the floor in pain with no one knowing I’m hurt. The issue is these places are barely covered by insurance. My grandmother’s private insurance—one of the best—still requires her to spend her entire savings for lower-level care. You have to pay $80K upfront just to get in, and if they pass away immediately, that money is gone. My parents are grateful my grandfather saved so much because they couldn’t manage her care anymore. Nicer places cost millions, and it’s frustrating that elder care isn’t subsidized. It makes me question why we even pay taxes when so little actually helps people.

    #11

    Tweet by user: "Welcome to your 40s, you pee now 'just in case'," highlighting life in your 40s.

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    LakotaWolf (she/her)
    Community Member
    7 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And you have to be REALLY careful when you sneeze, because you might just pee yourself a little when you do. Friends, if you have a uterus, do your kegels! XD

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    #12

    Tweet by Princess Lay Ya joking about songs from youth now being oldies, highlighting life in your 40s.

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    LakotaWolf (she/her)
    Community Member
    7 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I remember growing up - one of my favorite radio stations was KRTH, which was considered an "oldies" station. Its tagline was "hits from the 50s, 60s, and 70s" (or something like that.) Recently I tuned in to KRTH again, only to find that the songs from the decade of my birth (the 80s) are now also considered oldies, as are songs from the 90s. The songs of my childhood and teen years are now oldies. I have become vintage.

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    Good habits and self-care are important throughout our lives, even when we're in our 40s. Angevin-Castro points to the nervous system and says that its health becomes crucial. "Chronic stress can accelerate aging and impact everything from sleep quality to immune function."

    "This makes stress-management practices like meditation, deep breathing, or regular nature walks essential self-care tools. Gut health also deserves special attention, as it affects so many aspects of health, including mood and inflammation levels," she adds.

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    Another thing even younger people often overlook is prioritizing sleep. "Sleep plays a really important role in maintaining brain health and cognitive function," Angevin-Castro says. "But it is also closely intertwined with physical and psychological health more broadly."

    "Poor sleep not only makes life a lot harder than it needs to be, but it's also associated with negative health outcomes, such as increased risk of cardiovascular disease, metabolic disease and poor mental health," the health and wellness coach explains.

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    What should midlifers do? Angevin-Castro recommends maintaining regular routines. Start with getting up and going to bed roughly at the same time every day. Also, make sure you're getting a decent amount of sleep – 7-9 hours, ideally. "Unfortunately, stress and worry can negatively impact our sleep, so finding ways to manage negative thoughts, such as mindfulness practices or journalling, may help," the expert adds.

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    Angevin-Castro once again directs her attention to women in their 40s and beyond. She says they should pay particular attention to some specific aspects of self-care. "Regular health screenings become more important, including mammograms and bone density scans. Supporting liver health through diet and lifestyle choices can also help," she says.

    #22

    Tweet about life in your 40s, humorously noting it takes 3 days to recover from any activity, by Crazy Stalker Mom.

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    Kate Jones
    Community Member
    2 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And by anything, we don't mean parasailing or bungie jumping. We mean walking around the grocery store too long.

    #23

    Tweet about turning 40s: "I'm too old for this" is now your excuse for everything.

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    Lotekguy
    Community Member
    30 minutes ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Inside my head, that thought is always in the voice of Danny Glover from the Lethal Weapon movies.

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    #24

    Tweet about being in your 40s: "Welcome to your 40s. All your favorite foods now upset your stomach."

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    LakotaWolf (she/her)
    Community Member
    7 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was just mentioning in another comment about how I get horrific acid reflux all night long if I eat peanut butter past 6pm. I love peanut butter. I do not have a peanut allergy. I've eaten PBJ sandwiches all of my life. And now I am some kind of "do not feed after midnight" movie Gremlin who can't eat peanut butter if it's past the afternoon. I do NOT understand XD

    The health and wellness coach observes that a lot of men and women start reassessing their relationship with alcohol once they hit 40. "The hangovers and anxiety become more pronounced, and the negatives start to outweigh the benefits. Additionally, women may find that their nutritional needs change as they try to maintain muscle mass and support bone health."

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    But physical health isn't the only thing 40-somethings should be paying attention to. "For both men and women, nurturing meaningful connections and maintaining strong social support networks becomes increasingly important for mental and emotional well-being. Learning to set boundaries and prioritise rest isn't selfish – it's essential for thriving in midlife."

    "Many people in their 40s are juggling career demands with family responsibilities, making it even more important to create space for rest and recovery," Angevin-Castro adds.

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    #30

    Tweet by Bird Eckler humorously describing communication challenges in your 40s.

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    Lotekguy
    Community Member
    27 minutes ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The next step is not caring enough about what they have to say to make the effort of learning the lingo.

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    Youna Angevin-Castro believes that your 40s can be a time of profound positive transformation. "I've witnessed clients discover new levels of energy, confidence and well-being by embracing changes rather than fighting them."

    "While men and women may face different challenges, both can thrive by prioritising their health in smart, sustainable ways. For women especially, understanding and working with their changing hormones rather than against them can lead to unexpected improvements in energy, mood and overall quality of life," the wellness coach says.

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    #31

    Tweet about 40s: falling asleep early but waking up in the night without reason.

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    Kate Jones
    Community Member
    1 hour ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And you need a nap every day around 2pm and your pretty grumpy if you can't get it.

    #36

    Tweet about life in your 40s humorously describes "pregaming" as taking ibuprofen and peeing before leaving.

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    Moltar
    Community Member
    4 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    man, I turn 40 in a few weeks but relate to absolutely none of these tweets. drink yourself more bliss, forget about the last one. These people just seem lame

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    #39

    Tweet about turning 40 and feeling liberated, caring less about opinions, and enjoying comfort like wearing sweatpants.

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    LakotaWolf (she/her)
    Community Member
    6 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have a pair of awesome gray sweatpants that have POCKETS. They're fantastic. If I don't have to go somewhere where I'll need my wallet, I'll wear them all day XD

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    #46

    Tweet about enjoying long walks in your 40s, highlighting the unexpected benefits and enjoyment of this simple activity.

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    InoueAmani
    Community Member
    1 hour ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When I was 20 I couldn't comprehend what 40 would be like, now I'm here and I know exactly what 60 looks like.

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    #54

    Tweet about turning 40s and focusing on property damage in action movies, by Bird Eckler.

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    Kate Jones
    Community Member
    1 hour ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hahaha yes this is true. I also tend to understand the bad guy's point of view a little more, too.

    #55

    Tweet about being in your 40s: "Welcome to your 40s: let’s drive down this street just to look at the houses."

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    Kate Jones
    Community Member
    1 hour ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You also start liking those little free home sale booklets you can go through at restaurants and offices. And don't get me started of pinterest and house hunters.

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    #59

    Tweet humorously commenting on being in your 40s, suggesting to find a wife instead of being a player.

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    Moltar
    Community Member
    4 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    was a player, married, owned house, travelled world, had kids, divorced, still an involved parent and friend, back to player, in the best health of my life, still party, still look 20.

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    #60

    Tweet about being in your 40s, stating that the 90s had the best music.

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    LakotaWolf (she/her)
    Community Member
    6 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was born in the 80s, so will always love 80s music a tiny bit more than 90s music. But I was a teenager in the 90s, so... yes, the 90s had the best music XD

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    #62

    Tweet about the joy of sitting on the patio in your 40s, highlighting simple pleasures.

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    Corvus
    Community Member
    4 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Even as a kid, I loved going to a high floor, finding a good spot to perch, and then just look into the distance...

    #64

    Tweet about being in your 40s, humorously discussing dieting or feasting like there's no tomorrow.

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    LakotaWolf (she/her)
    Community Member
    6 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nah, neither XD Stopped caring about my weight (other than health concerns) when my ex told me that I physically "disgusted" him when I hit 150 lbs when we were still together (I'm 5'5"; 150lbs is within my normal parameters.)

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    #70

    Tweet about being in your 40s, finding excitement in ordering a new pillow.

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    Robert Trebor
    Community Member
    10 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    At 75 I built myself a bigger bed. New pillows, flannel sheets, a nice new comforter. I just woke up from a two-hour nap in my living room chair.

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    #75

    Tweet about being in your 40s, humorously noting having a favorite pen.

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    giku T
    Community Member
    7 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i always had a favorite pen. now in my 40s, i have a favorite spoon as well as a favorite reusable grocery bag.

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    #96

    Tweet humorously noting "Welcome to your 40s: here’s your Skechers." Engagement includes 439 likes.

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    LakotaWolf (she/her)
    Community Member
    6 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No! Skechers are trash! If you really want an amazing, long-lasting pair of sneakers, get Brooks sneakers/running shoes, preferably the Ghost models. They're all I'll wear now. They're amazing. Completely eliminated my foot and ankle pain and they last forever.

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    #100

    Tweet about 40s humor: excitement over a new rice cooker delivery.

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    LakotaWolf (she/her)
    Community Member
    6 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've actually had a Zojirushi rice cooker for a couple of decades now (my ex is Chinese) but I recently learned that Zojirushi also makes an insulated water bottle/thermos, and now I own a Zojirushi insulated water bottle/thermos. If I put ice into it, the ice will stay frozen for over an entire day!

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    #103

    Tweet about entering your 40s, highlighting a daily fiber intake goal.

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    LakotaWolf (she/her)
    Community Member
    6 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I now understand why my dad drank a big glass of Metamucil every day when I was a kid XD

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    #119

    Tweet humorously suggesting owning multiple Birkenstocks is typical for life in your 40s.

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    LakotaWolf (she/her)
    Community Member
    6 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    For me, it's Crocs. I finally gave in after decades of hating and loathing Crocs on principle. Then I had a sick puppy who couldn't walk and had to wear diapers and needed to be carried outdoors to go potty (if we could catch it in time.) Suddenly, washable, breathable footwear that one can slip on in 1 second became worth their weight in gold XD I have a pair of Crocs by each door to the outdoors now. I have even worn them out in public. I have lost all shame. I even own a pair with the soft fleece lining. Pray for my soul, for I am damned.