31 Comments
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Beatrice Marovich's avatar

Happy birthday! Thank you for sharing these. I’m about to turn 44 and I might try to sit down and do something like this.

I have to say, aside from the way that the world breaks my heart a little bit more every single year, I really love being in my 40s! I still feel pretty young, but with so much more genuine confidence and earned wisdom.

Philippa Moore's avatar

These all really resonated, thank you for sharing. Life isn’t as simple as it was when I was younger (though it didn’t feel simple at the time!), but I actually really love being in my 40s. I appreciate life more and feel more resilient. #45 on your list made me tear up, and I do #43 as well 🥂 Cheers to you on your birthday!

Anya Kamenetz's avatar

Thank you Philippa! My appreciation for life is also growing.

Yuvi Manzon's avatar

Happy birthday!! <3 These are ALL on point!

Mara Gordon, MD's avatar

These are lovely. Happy birthday!

Nicki Farrell's avatar

This was the best, most wholesome of these kinds of lists I’ve read so far! Love how you’ve recognised the beautiful people in your list that have inspired some of these quotes and lessons too.

Anya Kamenetz's avatar

Thank you Nicki!

Gillian & Li'l Bean's avatar

Happy Birthday! I love the idea of not breaking the hug first:)

Kaitlyn Teer's avatar

Loved this! ❤️

Anya Kamenetz's avatar

Thanks!! High praise coming from you!

Dan's avatar

Happy belated birthday! Great list! I'm extra curious about #20 ... when you say "successful" what do you mean? And do you mean ambitious in the positive sense or the "it's never enough" sense? (seems like the latter, which is how I usually think of the word)

Anya Kamenetz's avatar

It's just a paradox that I've observed...at some point when I started having people around me who had "made it" by whatever measure-- however they themselves defined it ! I realized that they still had the same drive , mindset, focus on the "next thing" that had gotten them to that point... And that that's not a complete answer for how to live your life. So the challenge is to stay curious, stay connected, keep doing good work, while also enjoying where you're at.

Liz Thelen-Torres's avatar

Many of these nuggets of wisdom resonated with my experience, and several have got me thinking in new and helpful ways. Thank you and happy birthday Anya!

Anya Kamenetz's avatar

I'm so happy to hear that-- thanks for taking the time to tell me.

Ann Schaefer's avatar

Beautiful. This was a gift. I needed these words. Happy Birthday!

Harriet's avatar

Happy belated. Wonderful thoughts shared, as always. Thank you ❤️

Anya Kamenetz's avatar

Thank you Harriet!

Matthew Jameson's avatar

This is so good. I will actually use a lot of these. And #45 made me cry.

Rachel Hills's avatar

Happy birthday, Anya!

Rachel Cohen Booth's avatar

a stirring list, thank you. and happy birthday Anya!

Anya Kamenetz's avatar

Thank you Rachel!

Nate Angell's avatar

Great list! I’m embarrassed to say that running your dishwasher every night was a big takeaway. Happy birthday!

Anya Kamenetz's avatar

It's literally life changing. Thanks friend!

Jess Serrante's avatar

I am always grateful for your wisdom! To another 45 and more! 🥂