I turned 40 last week, and I feel really good about this age.

Looking back, my twenties were a mix of figuring out my life and trying to regain my health.

My thirties were better physically, but I carried a kind of chronic illness PTSD. I worried that any wrong move would send me back to being bedridden. It led me to live in a very strict, rigid way that left little room for enjoyment and created more daily stress than I realized at the time.

I also struggled with imposter syndrome when I explored writing and blogging.

My late thirties were shaped by motherhood. There was a lot of sleep deprivation, burnout, and a level of exhaustion too difficult to comprehend unless you’ve experienced it.

But all of those experiences, the setbacks, the stress, the learning, gave me something I didn’t have before. Confidence, perspective, and better tools.

As I enter my forties, I feel more at ease in life. This doesn’t mean I don’t have bad or stressful days. But, I’ve learned how to support my health in a more holistic way, how to feel well even when life is chaotic, and how to live with more flexibility.

Over time, I’ve realized that the best living well tips aren’t complicated. They’re the small, consistent habits that fit into real life.

Here are some of the things I’ve learned about living well over the past few decades:

Wellness & Health Habits

1. My routines only work when they fit my actual season of life.
2. Personalized nutrition and supplements have supported my healing in a way conventional medicine never could.
3. My health improved when I educated myself instead of relying solely on others to fix me.
4. Having something small to look forward to each day makes even the hardest days more manageable (hello, afternoon chocolate and good reads).
5. Living too strictly eventually created more stress than it solved. Balance made me feel better.
6. I can be healthy and fit without expensive, trendy or lengthy workout routines.
7. A squeeze of lemon or lime makes drinking water more enjoyable. I shared what’s helped me drink more water.
8. The most expensive doctors aren’t always the most helpful.
9. Sunlight is one of the most underrated ways to feel better quickly.
10. Consistent early bedtimes has been a huge contributor to feeling well each day.

Mindset Shifts

11. Everything is a season. Remembering that helped me get through early motherhood.
12. I’ve learned that consistency only works when it’s sustainable. Even once a week is better than nothing, or trying to do everything perfectly and burning out.
13. I created a lot of unnecessary stress trying to control things that were never actually in my control. Adopting a, “let things unfold” mentality was better for my health.
14. A good playlist and a cup of tea can turn an entire day around.
15. Overeducating yourself can be procrastination. Sometimes you just have to start and figure it out as you go.
16. Micro goals are more motivating than big, overwhelming ones.
17. I handle things better when I don’t react right away and give myself a minute to think.
18. If I don’t know something, I can learn it.

Everyday Life

19. Putting my phone in another room at 7 pm has been one of the simplest ways to unplug.
20. Basic systems and routines make everyday life feel easier and less stressful.
21. Going to the grocery store early or during off-hours makes it so much more enjoyable.
22. Making and enjoying dessert without guilt is a form of self-care.
23. A decluttered environment helps me feel calmer and more focused.
24. The quality of my relationships had a direct impact on my well-being. Keeping my circle small and supportive changed my life for the better.

Body, Skin & Aging

25. I don’t need a complicated skincare routine, just a few products that actually work.
26. Gentle exfoliation has made a noticeable difference in how my skin looks and feels.
27. Finding movement I enjoy is the only way I stay consistent.
28. Letting go of trying to look like a 20-year-old version of myself has been freeing.
29. High quality clean beauty products are just as good as conventional.
30. Washing my hair every five days made it healthier and saved me a surprising amount of time. I shared what happened when I started washing my hair once a week.

Work, Balance & Identity

31. I found more alignment when I stopped letting my ego drive my career decisions.
32. Creating balance has required making bigger changes that didn’t always feel easy in the moment, but looking back, they were always worth it.
33. After being laid off, I stopped chasing titles and chose a more balanced life. I share more about that in my life after corporate journey.
34. The doors that didn’t open weren’t meant for me.
35. The life I wanted didn’t come from pushing harder—it came from doing things differently.
36. Clarity often showed up when I slowed down and gave things space.
37. Writing and creative outlets brought a new kind of balance—and broke up the monotony of daily life.
38. I used to think I needed to have everything figured out by a certain age. I’ve learned I can change direction whenever I need to.

Living Well Tips That Stuck

39. Focusing on what actually moves the needle has saved me time and energy in every area of my life.
40. Living well isn’t about doing everything right. It’s about doing a few things consistently, and trusting that it’s enough.

Final Thoughts on Living Well (at 40)

At 40, I don’t feel like I’ve figured everything out, but I do feel more comfortable in my life. I care less about what works for everyone else, and more about what works for me right now, in this stage.

It’s simpler than I thought it would be. And a lot better, too.