This Is 40
by RANDALL PARK
There was a time in my life when I thought that being 40 meant the end of things. Sure, technically, you’re still alive, but you’re pretty much done. You are now well out of the key 18-35 demographic that advertisers covet. You’re older than all your favorite professional athletes. You’ve surpassed the age of any musicians that really matter. You look in the mirror, and you see a weaker, fatter, more out-of-touch version of someone who used to be cool. When I was younger, this is what came to mind when I thought of 40.
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And then, out of nowhere, it happened. I looked down at my birthday cake, and I saw two candles: one in the shape of a “4” and the other, a “0.” (Because fitting 40 candles on that cake would’ve been a fire hazard.) Yes, I am officially old. But to be honest, being 40 hasn’t been so bad. In fact, I’m kind of liking it. And though I’m only a few days into this new decade of life, I’ve taken the liberty of compiling a partial list of reasons why being 40 is the bomb:
§ Now, more than ever, I can care less about being cool. For example, in the above paragraph, I used an incredibly outdated phrase. I called something “the bomb.” I don’t care. I’m 40.
§ I’m done with trends. In my four decades on this earth, I’ve seen enough things come and go (and come back again) to know that none of it matters. Every trend you follow today will one day be a source of regret. So I dress how I want to dress, I listen to what I want to listen to, and at any wedding I go to, I will continue to dance the Cabbage Patch.
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§ For once in my life, my sex drive will not make all of my decisions for me. It will make half of my decisions for me. The other half will be made by my actual adult-sized human brain. This is a revelation. I’m maturing. § I enjoy the television show 60 Minutes. I used to think it was for old people. Now, it’s crack.
§ I know the importance of counting my blessings. I have an amazing family. I have awesome friends. I love my job. I enjoy writing this column. Cheesecake is the bomb. Life is pretty awesome.
At this rate, my 40s may end up being the best decade of my life thus far. Sure, my dream of playing point guard for the Lakers is officially dead and buried, but I still have big dreams. My mind is still sharp as a tack, and I still have plenty more life to live. So I’m going to enjoy the hell out of my 40s. And whether you’re in your teens, 20s, 30s or 40s, I suggest you do the same. Because, let’s be honest, 50 is really where everything really goes downhill, right?
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This article was published in the April 2014 issue of KoreAm. Subscribe today! To purchase a single issue copy of the April issue, click the “Buy Now” button below. (U.S. customers only. Expect delivery in 5-7 business days).
