40-odd Canadian women on being 40(ish)

“I’m more compelled to do anything I want at this stage of my life.” – Jennifer, 38

“I try to carry myself the way a strong woman would carry herself.” – Keren, 45

“I’ve considered myself a feminist for as long as I’ve known what the word is.” – Melissa, 37

“I’ve been told many times that I’ve got a lot of energy and I try to use it in very positive ways.” – Liane, 44

“I have a big heart. I’m always giving myself and my time to friends, family and loved ones.” – Jenny, 40

“I try to just enjoy each moment. Even after a tough day, I try to bring a laugh to myself.” – Sandra, 42

“I hope my girls grow up to learn that you can be a wife, a mother, a friend, but also be successful in whatever career you choose.” – Sarah, 41

“Overall, you have to love the body you’re in, because it carries you through life.” – Jennifer, 43

“I try to be unequivocal in everything that I do and say.” – Kimberly, 35

“Turning 40, I almost felt like I was recapturing some of the freedom of my 20s.” – Jasjit, 43

“A lot of women I know can’t outlast their kids, and I can keep up with my two little boys.” – Cheryl, 42

“I think I’m still 22. I still crack up at the worst jokes ever. Dad jokes are the best.” – Renée, 40

 “I fill a lot of roles: I’m a mom, a wife, a daughter, sister, friend, colleague. But I try not to forget about me.” – Annabelle, 45

“I love being this age. There is nothing I miss about being in my 20s at all.” – Tamarisk, 35

“I have a full-time job, part-time job, I’m a single mom to two kids. Sometimes I find it a little overwhelming, but I love my life.” – Erika, 40

“Not worrying about my behaviour or who my friends are or what I like to do in life—that makes me unique.” – Sarah, 43

“I have an unusually optimistic outlook on life, and I don’t often get upset about the small things.” – Catherine, 38

“It’s good to be the boss.” – Shasta, 46

”I’m ahead of the game.” – Catherine, 42

“What makes me unique is my love of life and deep appreciation of natural beauty.” – Lesli, 41

”When I wake up, I hop out of bed and I’m like, ’Damn, I look good.’” – May, 36

“The thing that people find most memorable about me is my spirit and my energy.” – Devon, 35

“I don’t look like I used to, but I also like how I got here.” – Jennifer, 39

“I have a little bit of a crazy personality.” – Adrienne, 38

“I’m completely at peace with where I am in my career—and excited about what the future’s going to bring.” – Rhonda, 44

“Feminism is something that’s incredibly important for everyone, men and women, because everyone should start on the same page.” – Shannon, 45

“Everyone needs to be able to have a voice.” – Kelly, 40

“I’m switching my career and I’m really excited about it.” – Julie, 39

“Five years ago, I left a successful career, bought a one-way ticket to Mexico and spent the year travelling through Latin America. My life changed completely.” – Ayngelina, 38

“I think I’m doing a lot of wonderful things in the community, and I’m very proud.” – Susan, 42

”I think women carry a lot of guilt in our lives about the choices we make, and I like to walk through life with an I-don’t-really-care attitude.” – Sandra, 35

“I think I see the world a little bit differently. I think I see the world as a little bit of an outsider.” – Janet, 43

“I love getting older and set in my ways and feeling very comfortable.” – Natalia, 35

”I would like my daughters to have all the opportunities that are offered. There’s no reason they can’t be anything they want to be.” – Jacki, 42

“I’ve taken many non-traditional routes in life.” – Jackie, 36

“My career has taken a bunch of turns, but they’ve all been interesting, and each step along the way has been a learning experience.” – RaeAnn, 41

“I feel blessed to do what I love, and I think really that’s half the battle with anything in life.” – Charmaine, 40

“I try to stay true to myself, be creative and let things roll off my back.” – Brandy, 38

“I’m a blend of cultures and a bit of a melting pot. I love that about being in Canada, because it’s not weird at all.” – Bridget, 45

“I think everyone should love themselves naked, no matter what body type you have.” – Joann, 36

“I’m bubbly. I’m a strong person—strong personality—and I embrace life every day.” – Nathalie, 39

“I think everybody’s unique. Everybody’s got a story. No two people could ever be the same.” – Stephanie, 45

Related: Read our exclusive survey, This is 40(ish)