Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

People Confess Why Their 40s Are Way Better Than Their 20s

People Confess Why Their 40s Are Way Better Than Their 20s
Westend61/GettyImages

They say life goes downhill after reaching the age of 40.

While I'm not sure who first made that assumption, it's not necessarily true.


Many people started new careers–even started a family–after they've gone "over the hill" and continue to thrive.

Sure, people in their 40s may not be as agile as they used to be when they were in their 20s, but it doesn't mean they can't maintain a healthy and active lifestyle well into the next decade or two.

In pursuit of looking for affirmation that life isn't over after hitting 40, Redditor Drakken11577 asked:

"What is better about life at age 40 than at age 20?"

There's a different mindset that shifts once you hit 40.

Forget What People Think

"Your 'give a damn' slowly breaks down and you care more about what makes you happy instead of what people think of you. It's a freeing experience."

– OfficeChairHero

Earning The Phrase

"'IDGAF' as a catch all just makes you an a**hole. Any kid can be an a**hole. It takes maturity to know when to give a f'k and when not to."

– ppardee

​Embarrassment Is A Time-Waster

"That's the point that I'm at now. I care deeply and passionately about issues and people, but what they think of me is not one of them."

"It's simply a learned behavior after years of worrying about people's opinions of you and staying up late replaying conversations in your head. At some point, you realize all of that time was wasted and you probably never even see any of those people now anyway. Nothing was accomplished by being embarrassed or having worry."

"When people say, 'dance like nobody's watching,' That's sound advice. Very few people's opinions will actually matter in your life. Listen to the opinions of the special few that know you best and discard everything else."

– OfficeChairHero

Seeing What's Most Important

"More disposable income."

"The absolute best part though, is really not giving a flying F. Someone is mad at you, what's gonna happen... they aren't going to pay your mortgage?"

"Really, at that age, you realize what's important. You've seen/experienced a decent amount so not much phases you anymore."

– bonemonkey12

Impossible Expectations

"In my 20s, I used to feel like I had to do something amazing with my life and change the world, or I was wasting my potential. It was probably the reason I got depressed so much. At a certain point, I have come to accept the fact that I am among the 99.9% of people who are just kinda living our lives and not doing anything exceptional, and that's ok. Disclaimer: I'm not over 40, I'm 35, but close enough."

– ElToberino

Best things come to those who wait.

More Confidence

"I know myself far better, still learning obviously but it's nice feeling happier in my own skin."

– Itsamemario3007

Wisdom

"Knowledge, life experience."

– MyDadBod_2021

Kid At Heart

"I still feel like a kid at 48, and still feel like I have no idea what I'm doing, but I am making much more sensible choices in life. In my 20's I had tons of credit card debt, these days I don't buy it if I can't afford it. I don't feel mature, and my sense of humor is downright sophomoric, but looking objectively at the way I approach life, and make decisions, I have matured a great deal."

"According to my 80-year-old parents the whole 'I still feel like a kid' thing never goes away."

– mike_e_mcgee

"Won't Ever Want To Go Back"

"You have your sh*t together. You are comfortable in your skin, you don’t give a sh*t what others think of you, and in my case…kids were older and easier. I love my 40’s and wouldn’t want to ever go back."

– Capricornyogi

And people had plenty to say about what goes on in the bedroom.

Here's The Difference

"Sex."

"In your 20s, it's about having sex."

"In your 40s, it's about having memorable sex."

– ksozay

No More Insecurities

"Practice makes (more) perfect."

"It’s a combination of being more experienced and less self-conscious. Sex at 20 is often times much more fraught with insecurities and just lack of experience. Also, look up the difference between adrenaline sex vs oxytocin sex. You can still have both at either age of course but age and time usually make the latter more common."

rustywarwick

Older = Hotter

"100%. I'm 37 and my girlfriend is 42 and the sex is the best I've ever had."

– Justaguywholikeswine

People who complain about getting older are just wasting their breath.

That train has already left the station.

So what do you do with the time you have left on this planet? Live. Thrive. Have the best sex ever.

Because hitting 40 is only the beginning of good adventures to come–made possible by your acquired wisdom and life experience–as long as you allow the space for them to happen.

More from Trending/best-of-reddit

Jeff Ross
Mike Coppola/Variety via Getty Images

Comedian Jeff Ross Shares Photos Of Puffed Up Lip After Allergic Reaction To Ice Cream

Insult comic Jeff Ross revealed he had a medical emergency after a show Saturday night that resulted in a trip to the ER. However, he assured fans the show must go on despite "looking like Mickey Rourke at the end of The Wrestler."

Ross recounted the ordeal on Instagram, showing his swollen lip taking over his face from eating burrata ice cream after his Take a Banana for the Ride show in Mill Valley, California, near San Francisco.

Keep ReadingShow less
screenshot of Jesse Watters on Fox News
Fox News

Jesse Watters Offers Mind-Numbing New Claim About Masculinity—And Is Instantly Dragged

Problematic Fox News MAGA pundit Jesse Watters has made another bizarre claim about masculinity.

Having already taken exception with eating ice cream, drinking milkshakes, and taking bubble baths, Watters is now targeting tech jobs.

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump with the Dodgers
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Trump Leaves Everyone Confused With Hilariously Bizarre Word Salad Tribute To The Dodgers

President Donald Trump was widely mocked after he welcomed the 2024 World Series-winning Los Angeles Dodgers to the White House on Monday with a bizarre, tangential, and rambling speech.

The team arrived at the White House on Monday morning, where Trump, in his remarks, praised two-way star Shohei Ohtani and infielder Mookie Betts. The Dodgers had defeated the New York Yankees in five games to clinch their second World Series title in five seasons.

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Trump Roasted After Giving Clunky New Nickname To People Criticizing His Tariffs

President Donald Trump was criticized after he pushed back against critics of his tariffs, coming up with a new nickname for the "weak and stupid" people who oppose them.

The Trump administration’s newly imposed tariffs on imports from various countries have unsettled consumers, triggered a trade war, disrupted global markets, and sparked widespread fears of a potential recession in the U.S. and beyond.

Keep ReadingShow less

Childhood Experiences People Thought Were 'Normal' But Weren't At All

Content Warning: Child neglect, child abuse, narcissism, gaslighting, people-pleasing, and other traumatic childhood experiences

It's important for us to work on ourselves, to continue bettering ourselves throughout our limited time on this earth, and a key way of doing that is acknowledging what we do not know, and working on that.

Keep ReadingShow less