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50 Painfully Relatable Posts That Show What Being In Your 40s Is Really Like (New Pics)
Interview With Expert
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
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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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#2
LakotaWolf (she/her) 2 days ago
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
#3
LakotaWolf (she/her) 2 days ago
I think I stopped dressing for "other people" in my late 30s and finally started wearing what *I* wanted to wear. When it's warm (which is 80% of the year in Southern California) I wear men's cargo shorts, Costco brand, with cute/funny iron-on patches I put on them. (The one in the photo says "Certified Good Dog".) I wear men's jeans with a snarling wolf on them when it's cold enough for pants. I wear t-shirts with cute animals on them (the one in the photo has a leopard gecko on it!) I rock a wallet chain like it's 1993. (There are a million acrylic charms and keychains on it.) I am finally happy with how I look, for the first time in my life - during my childhood my mother tried to force me into HER ideal of appearance, and then I spent 20+ years of my adulthood trying to make my boyfriend like how I looked. If you're in your 20s/30s right now... be happy. Be yourself. Dress how YOU want to when you're not at work. You will gain nothing but misery trying to make others happy. the_lakoto...9378ee.jpg 
Marlowe Fitzpatrik 2 days ago
Aww, a little Maligator! He's a cutie! And you look fabulous. I've pretty much always just worn what I wanted. Whenever I "dressed to impress" (not evne then very impressive), I felt like I was walking around in a weird costume and never felt comfortable. So I stopped wearing what people said "Looked great" unless I felt they fit my personality (and body-shape). It was never a conscious decision 'to rebel' or something but I'm truly blessed that my parents never forced things more than suggesting (and in the end accepting if I refused) certain things.
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JayhawkJoey 2 days ago
By the time you're 60, you'll have no f*cks to give. No energy either, but whatevs.
Curt Harvey 1 day ago
I gave up trying to appease people when I was in my late 20s. The sooner you learn to be who you want to be the happier you are gonna be.
Abel 2 days ago
I am spaniard 43 and I dont know what exactly appeasing means. Something like pandering?
Kay Kelly 2 days ago
Sorta, more like trying to please someone or live 'up' to their standards.
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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.
#6
LakotaWolf (she/her) 2 days ago
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
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."
"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
Nikki Gross 2 days ago
I just commented on another post about this, but again hearing stuff like Soundgarden, Metallica, Nirvana, GN'R, etc. when I'm buying milk is a weird f*****g experience.
#9
Serena Myers 2 days ago
Or that 12 year old dressed up as a police officer is, in fact, a police officer.
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.
#10
Kate Jones 2 days ago
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.
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.
#15
Little Bit 2 days ago
Yep that's me. If something wakes me up or I need to pee, even if I've only been asleep for half an hour, that's it, that's my sleep over for the night
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.
#16
R1MV4Superleggera 3 days ago
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?
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.
#19
kansasmagic 2 days ago
Ok, this one is actually true. Except the part about having friends because **40s!**
#21
LakotaWolf (she/her) 2 days ago
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.
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
Blue Bunny of Happiness 2 days ago
And you start quoting your Dad, “This isn’t Blackpool illuminations, you know!”
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."
#26
Kate Jones 2 days ago
Hey I loved clippy. Everyone gives him s**t and he was just trying to help.
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.
#28
Kate Jones 2 days ago
And by anything, we don't mean parasailing or bungie jumping. We mean walking around the grocery store too long.
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.
#31
Kate Jones 2 days ago
Hahaha yes this is true. I also tend to understand the bad guy's point of view a little more, too.
#32
Kate Jones 2 days ago
And you need a nap every day around 2pm and your pretty grumpy if you can't get it.
#34
Nikki Gross 2 days ago (edited)
I live in Oklahoma, so in the Summer it's hot and humid as f**k. I found these AMAZING culottes that are loose, paper thin and supposed to be used as pajamas, but they look like regular clothes.They have POCKETS, elastic waist with a draw string. What's even better is ALL of the tops that match look like normal shirts and are just as comfortable. I bought several pairs and colors of each set, which is a good thing because I haven't seen them since then. I wear the hell out of them and practically live in those most of the year. Definitely, hands down one of my best finds.
#38
#43
LakotaWolf (she/her) 2 days ago
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
#44
LillieMean 2 days ago
I don't think any furniture manufacturer sells coffee tables suitable for snoozing, except for cats.
#45
Nikki Gross 2 days ago
Yes!! You start getting the "Good" soups, instead of always buying the cheap ones. My budget is pretty tight, but I would rather get one big can of the good stuff, which is two meals for me. The smaller cheap cans aren't very filling, taste worse and are one meal, so it actually equals out a lot better money wise.
#47
#49
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What do you think ?
kansasmagic 2 days ago
I know! It's even worse when you read similar posts of people complaining about their 30s. Movement, people - use it or lose it.
Load More Replies... Bored Seb 3 days ago
I love those stupid posts. It helps me realize I'm still not in my 40s. Turning 45 later this year, and still wondering when I'll be in their 40s...
Norma Smith 2 days ago
I'm in my sixties and I can relate to some of these posts but my 40's weren't as bad as some of these. Of course I was 36 for 9 years and then I turned 37 so I may have just missed the 40s issues...
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Bill Evs 2 days ago
I last went out with my mates (all in our mid forties) for a few drinks just before Christmas. As we're sitting in the pub I reach into my pocket, pull out some pills and pop a couple of them. One of my friends look at me as if to say "you're not still doing stuff like that are you" until I explained they were for indigestion as the lager wasn't sitting well with me and I had predicted that would happen so planned ahead. All of a sudden it was a chorus of "give me some too".
LakotaWolf (she/her) 2 days ago
I'll be 43 next month (Feb 22nd.) I remember when I was a little kid, like 11 or 12, and I thought being 30 was impossibly old. I remember visiting my grandmother with my dad (she had dementia or possibly Alzheimer's and was living in a facility) and I told my dad I didn't want to ever get old. I told him (quite calmly) that I planned on simply killing myself when I turned 45. My dad and I discovered my major depressive disorder that day :p But now that I'm nearing the age that I randomly chose to unalive myself at (I'm not sure why I chose 45 at the time) I find that I have a lot to live for, even if my neck DOES get all croggled if I sleep weird. I have my pets, I have books to read, I have art to draw, and I have you, my Panda friends :)
Smeghead Tribble Down Under 2 days ago
I'm 44. Every morning when I wake up I play my favourite game: What Hurts Today And Why?
Tucker Cahooter 3 days ago
A lot of these sorts of issues are covered in books like "Dave Barry Turns 40". He then followed that book with "Dave Barry Turns 50". I guess he was too depressed when he turned 60 to do another book (he's now well in his 70s). I love his humour but envy him for his full head of hair
Jeremy James 2 days ago
I feel attacked. I'll be over here in my snuggie watching Antiques Roadshow.
Dirk Daring 2 days ago
Welcome to your 40s. Oh look, a Home Depot! You have no specific reason for going in, but may as well have a look around.
Deborah 1 day ago
I've enjoyed browsing in hardware stores for most of my life.
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Rodney Bowie 2 days ago
Welcome to your 40s: If you have a kid, they are blown away because you know what's gonna happen next on this stupid show they made you watch.
Seán Baron 2 days ago
Welcome to your 40s. You don’t know how or why, but you LOVE birdwatching.
Little Bit 1 day ago
Welcome to your 40s: Where you're not only caring for your kids but you're caring for your elderly parents as well.
Little Bit 2 days ago
Welcome to your 40s: Where it's not a case of "what shall I wear today?" It's more like, "What fits today?" or "What's nice and comfy?"
Little Bit 2 days ago
Welcome to your 40s: where you have no idea who's in the charts, all the songs sound the same anyway, and you look forward to watching a murder mystery on TV.
Little Bit 2 days ago
Welcome to your 40s: Where you wake up in the morning and think, "I'm going to get loads done today", and then by the evening you've managed to achieve just one small task like vacuuming and you're wondering where the rest of the day went.
Rebecca Sherk 2 days ago
Thankfully, most of these didn't kick in until my seventies. Definitely can relate to injuring shoulders while asleep and high beams.
Rebecca Sherk 2 days ago
Welcome to my seventies. Thankfully most of these didn't kick in until then
Senjo Krane 19 hours ago
I don't recall all these health problems in my 40s. I'm feeling it now, in my 60's though.
Hassel Davidhoff 2 days ago (edited)
I'll be 43 in 13 days and I don't relate to some of these. As other folks have pointed out, some of these are not about being in your forties as much as they're about the result of not getting enough exercise or having a poor diet. That being said, some of these I related to a lot. Like, driving at night sucks, headlights suck, and thank you yes I do indeed remember embarrassing stuff from 28 years ago, lol.
Jessica SpeLangm 2 days ago
I'm not reading this whole list. Let's just sum it up, folks. If you're in your 40's and you're complaining about it, then get healthy and live better for the rest of your life. I wasn't healthy in my 40's, but that's my own fault. I've moved on.
highwaycrossingfrog 2 days ago
I'll be 45 on Friday and I am absolutely PMSL. I've never felt so seen!
kansasmagic 2 days ago
"Welcome to your 40s where every public statement you utter will be trite and cliche" - apparently. JFC, I can't get to 50 fast enough.
Uncle Schmickle 2 days ago
Did you know that The 40s are also known as the Nile Age ? That's because they're somewhere between Juvenile and Senile !
kansasmagic 2 days ago
I know! It's even worse when you read similar posts of people complaining about their 30s. Movement, people - use it or lose it.
Load More Replies... Bored Seb 3 days ago
I love those stupid posts. It helps me realize I'm still not in my 40s. Turning 45 later this year, and still wondering when I'll be in their 40s...
Norma Smith 2 days ago
I'm in my sixties and I can relate to some of these posts but my 40's weren't as bad as some of these. Of course I was 36 for 9 years and then I turned 37 so I may have just missed the 40s issues...
Load More Replies... Bill Evs 2 days ago
I last went out with my mates (all in our mid forties) for a few drinks just before Christmas. As we're sitting in the pub I reach into my pocket, pull out some pills and pop a couple of them. One of my friends look at me as if to say "you're not still doing stuff like that are you" until I explained they were for indigestion as the lager wasn't sitting well with me and I had predicted that would happen so planned ahead. All of a sudden it was a chorus of "give me some too".
LakotaWolf (she/her) 2 days ago
I'll be 43 next month (Feb 22nd.) I remember when I was a little kid, like 11 or 12, and I thought being 30 was impossibly old. I remember visiting my grandmother with my dad (she had dementia or possibly Alzheimer's and was living in a facility) and I told my dad I didn't want to ever get old. I told him (quite calmly) that I planned on simply killing myself when I turned 45. My dad and I discovered my major depressive disorder that day :p But now that I'm nearing the age that I randomly chose to unalive myself at (I'm not sure why I chose 45 at the time) I find that I have a lot to live for, even if my neck DOES get all croggled if I sleep weird. I have my pets, I have books to read, I have art to draw, and I have you, my Panda friends :)
Smeghead Tribble Down Under 2 days ago
I'm 44. Every morning when I wake up I play my favourite game: What Hurts Today And Why?
Tucker Cahooter 3 days ago
A lot of these sorts of issues are covered in books like "Dave Barry Turns 40". He then followed that book with "Dave Barry Turns 50". I guess he was too depressed when he turned 60 to do another book (he's now well in his 70s). I love his humour but envy him for his full head of hair
Jeremy James 2 days ago
I feel attacked. I'll be over here in my snuggie watching Antiques Roadshow.
Dirk Daring 2 days ago
Welcome to your 40s. Oh look, a Home Depot! You have no specific reason for going in, but may as well have a look around.
Deborah 1 day ago
I've enjoyed browsing in hardware stores for most of my life.
Load More Replies... Rodney Bowie 2 days ago
Welcome to your 40s: If you have a kid, they are blown away because you know what's gonna happen next on this stupid show they made you watch.
Seán Baron 2 days ago
Welcome to your 40s. You don’t know how or why, but you LOVE birdwatching.
Little Bit 1 day ago
Welcome to your 40s: Where you're not only caring for your kids but you're caring for your elderly parents as well.
Little Bit 2 days ago
Welcome to your 40s: Where it's not a case of "what shall I wear today?" It's more like, "What fits today?" or "What's nice and comfy?"
Little Bit 2 days ago
Welcome to your 40s: where you have no idea who's in the charts, all the songs sound the same anyway, and you look forward to watching a murder mystery on TV.
Little Bit 2 days ago
Welcome to your 40s: Where you wake up in the morning and think, "I'm going to get loads done today", and then by the evening you've managed to achieve just one small task like vacuuming and you're wondering where the rest of the day went.
Rebecca Sherk 2 days ago
Thankfully, most of these didn't kick in until my seventies. Definitely can relate to injuring shoulders while asleep and high beams.
Rebecca Sherk 2 days ago
Welcome to my seventies. Thankfully most of these didn't kick in until then
Senjo Krane 19 hours ago
I don't recall all these health problems in my 40s. I'm feeling it now, in my 60's though.
Hassel Davidhoff 2 days ago (edited)
I'll be 43 in 13 days and I don't relate to some of these. As other folks have pointed out, some of these are not about being in your forties as much as they're about the result of not getting enough exercise or having a poor diet. That being said, some of these I related to a lot. Like, driving at night sucks, headlights suck, and thank you yes I do indeed remember embarrassing stuff from 28 years ago, lol.
Jessica SpeLangm 2 days ago
I'm not reading this whole list. Let's just sum it up, folks. If you're in your 40's and you're complaining about it, then get healthy and live better for the rest of your life. I wasn't healthy in my 40's, but that's my own fault. I've moved on.
highwaycrossingfrog 2 days ago
I'll be 45 on Friday and I am absolutely PMSL. I've never felt so seen!
kansasmagic 2 days ago
"Welcome to your 40s where every public statement you utter will be trite and cliche" - apparently. JFC, I can't get to 50 fast enough.
Uncle Schmickle 2 days ago
Did you know that The 40s are also known as the Nile Age ? That's because they're somewhere between Juvenile and Senile !
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