I used to dread turning 40, but I don't anymore. I'm more comfortable than ever in my own skin, wrinkles and all.

• When I was younger, I associated turning 40 with all sorts of negative things.
• I thought my 40s would be all about menopause, financial stress, and personal issues.
• As my 40th birthday nears, my perspective has completely changed, and I'm actually excited.

I used to think that 40 was old. My mom had me when she was 36, so some of my earliest memories of her were when she was in her 40s. She would talk about things like "hot flashes" and "heavy periods," and most days, she'd need an afternoon rest. From the outskirts, being a woman in her 40s didn't seem overly fun.

As I worked my way through my 30s, I started to dread the big 4-0. I imagined myself reaching that mid-life milestone and wanting to hide from it. It was a period I associated with menopause, mortgages, having to navigate marriage issues, ailing parents, and financial stresses.

But now, as I approach the milestone, I don't actually feel that way at all. I'll be turning 40 in May, and after years of dreading it, I've had a change of heart. I've realized that I'm quite happy with my life path at this point in time.

I loved my 20s and 30s, but I'm ready for what's next

Looking back, my 20s were an absolute blast. They were full of travel and adventures — and a few misadventures, too. But there was also a lot of uncertainty and second-guessing. I didn't really know who I was or where life would take me.

My 30s changed all of that. I married my partner of eight years, started a family, grew a business, and bought a family home. These were all major life goals for me that I ticked off, and that gave me a tremendous feeling of contentment and peace.

Now that my next decade is dawning, I feel so excited about the next chapter. Sure, there may be things to navigate, like menopause and marriage woes or unexpected health struggles, but there's a lot to look forward to, too.

I've learned so much about myself

At (almost) 40, I have more balance in my life than those earlier versions of myself. I work four days a week and try to keep it to school hours so that I can spend more time with my children and not miss those precious years when they actually want to be with me. I also acknowledge that while I love spending time with my family and friends, I need a lot of alone time to recharge.

I'm doing more of what feeds my soul and brings me joy, without feeling guilty about it. Sometimes, that means crawling into bed at 9 p.m. and getting a solid nine hours' sleep. Other times, it means neglecting the housework and going for a two-hour hike with my 9-year-old son or singing "U Can't Touch This" at the top of my lungs as I do the running man in our living room, much to my kids' horror.

I'm also healthier at almost 40 than I was at 20 or 30. I exercise more consistently, eat better, and focus on my mental and physical well-being. I've learned my limits with alcohol, and I know that I have to decide between a couple of glasses of wine and a good night's sleep at this point in my life. It kind of sucks, but I've made peace with that.

Above all else, I feel like I've accepted myself for who I am. When I was younger, I was so caught up in what other people thought of me that I changed my behavior and appearance to fit in. These days, I'm more comfortable in my own skin, wrinkles and all. I'm also better at speaking my truth, which, being a people-pleaser, has always been a challenge for me.

One of my best friends is 96 years old, and he's so young at heart. He sucks the marrow out of life and always has a project in the works, whether it's writing a book or flying in a Cessna (a small aircraft). He's taught me so much about aging and about life. Most importantly, he's shown me that your attitude makes all the difference to your perception of reality, and that age really is just a number.

So, here's to turning 40. I plan to make the most of the next chapter of my life. To grow and embrace new experiences and pursue my passions. At 40, I don't see myself as being over the hill. I'm standing smack bang on it and enjoying the views, baby!