What It’s Like Being Older Than 40

Leanne is a popular beauty Instagrammer in her 40s and a mum of 2 teen boys. We asked her what it’s like being older than 40 and learned about the importance of self-care and self-love. 

Q: Hi Leanne, thank you so much for being here with us. Could you tell us a little bit about yourself and how old you are now?

A: Thanks for having me. I am a mom of 2 boys (19 & 15) and I will be turning 48 this July.

What are your current daily and weekly routines like?

My day revolves around my family, friends and work. As the boys grow older, I’m beginning to have more time for myself. I indulge a little bit more on my hobby in photo-taking, spending longer time for skincare and taking more coffee breaks during work. I start my day at about 5am to prepare my son for school and a round of skincare (daily masking) before the morning nap at 7-9. Thereafter, work starts and there will be breaks (IG, tea time, meet-ups) in between. I’ll hit the gym or do brisk walking in the park at 5pm. Followed by dinner before 8pm and a bedtime massage for my son (for his tired legs instead of story time). I have a weekly date night with hubby and look forward to my elder son returning home from the army every weekend. Lots of cooking and baking at home but on Sundays, a visit to our favourite Italian restaurant after church is a must.

How is your body different from what it was like at age 30?

In my case, more obvious changes are on the face at age 30. In my mid-30s, the eyelids began to feel heavier and maintaining the V-shape face and skin-firming became harder. Physical changes got more apparent as I entered my 40s. And at age 45 or so, weight control became challenging with the need for stricter diets and exercise.

What brings you joy these days?  

Many things. Calming scents & kind gestures, a good conversation, a hello from an old friend or a poem that speaks to me. Family gatherings or meet-ups with friends. Coffee and tea, sunrise and sunsets. And weight loss, haha! It always makes me smile. 

Which item, bought or received in the past year, has been most useful to you?

Contour stick—it becomes your best friend as you age, one that helps you slim down instantly and define your face shape better despite the “less firm” skin. 

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Can you list 3 things you realised or learned only after age 40 that you didn’t know before?

That beauty transcends time and age. It doesn’t stop at “youth”. It is not that scary after all. Know that there’s so much in us, so much we can give at every stage of our lives. And that, makes us beautiful. 

Which 3 people or things in your life are most important to you right now? 

My family and friends.

What regrets do you have?

None I suppose because it’s never really about making the right or wrong choices but rather, make your choices right [for you]. 

They happened for a reason. It made me the person I am now. 

What do you think those not yet 40 should be doing while they still can?

I thought about this question really hard but there’s nothing that I can list. At 40, I believe you still can do anything you set your heart to achieve. But in terms of things you should start young, it’s to have self-love, practice self-care and create memories. Take good care of your skin (especially eye cream), establish your beauty space and routine, work smart but not short-cuts, cherish moments and forgive your mistakes, don’t be too hard on yourself.

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Lastly, do you think about death? And if so, what do you think of it? 

‘The afternoon knows what the morning never suspected.’ – Robert Frost. I see youth as morning, middle age as afternoon who is a little wiser than morning and when death comes like night fall, we watch the stars twinkle. 

At the point of this interview, Leanne hoped to be able to take a year off to go visit another country, “travel with my camera and take time to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us”. We cannot say when she will be able to do that with the pandemic going on but you can find out when she does by following her on Instagram or asking her using the comment box below.  

If you would like to share your thoughts on being the age you are, do let us know here. Or read what it’s like to be a different age here. 

You may also be interested in:
What It’s Like Being Older Than 30
What It’s Like Being Older Than 20

Photographs courtesy and copyright of Leanne. Interviewer: Sy
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