Ageing is a natural part of life, yet it is something that many people fear. We live in a society where youth and beauty are highly prized, with Hollywood and fashion magazines perpetuating unrealistic expectations, especially for women. However, ageing has its own unique perks, and by the time a woman turns forty, she has learned important life lessons that she can share with younger generations. Here are thirteen things that a woman learns by the time she turns forty.

1. Letting people down gently
When people ask for our time or attention, it can be tempting to brush them off with a cold response. However, by gracefully declining, we can avoid conflict and hard feelings.

2. Living for yourself
Everyone has their own ideas about how we should live our lives. By the time we turn forty, we have learned that we cannot please everyone, so we should focus on doing what makes us happy.

3. Active Listening
When someone speaks, it is important to actively listen to absorb what they are trying to communicate. This is a powerful tool, and by the time we turn forty, we have learned how to master it.

4. Feeling Sexy and Confident
Feeling good about our bodies is essential for our well-being, and there is a lot we can do to enhance our appearance. However, our confidence should come from within, and we should always remember that we are beautiful just the way we are.

5. Doing things for ourselves
While delegating work is necessary at times, it is important not to rely on others too much. Ultimately, we are responsible for getting things done, and we will be much more productive if we take care of things ourselves.

6. Letting off steam with friends
When life gets tough, we need to deal with our emotions rather than bottling them up. Calling up a couple of good friends, opening a bottle of wine, and having a good long talk is an excellent way to let go of our frustrations and grudges.

7. Calming ourselves down
When we find ourselves in the midst of a heated argument, it is easy to get carried away. By taking a few deep breaths and calming ourselves down first, we can be the rational one in the argument and prevent things from escalating.

8. Quality Sleep
We all know how important sleep is for our physical and mental well-being. Getting 8 to 9 hours of quality sleep each night can work wonders on our outlook on life.

9. Budgeting our spending
As we mature, we learn to spend less money without sacrificing comfort. Staying in for a quiet night can save us enough money to travel or indulge in other pleasures.

10. Control our emotions
Jealousy, envy, and anger can drain our energy and ruin our relationships. It is important to keep control of our emotions and let go of negative feelings.

11. Knowing when to stop talking
We have all been guilty of going on and on about a topic that our friends find boring. By actively listening and paying attention to body language, we can sense when someone is disinterested and bored.

12. Life is a great teacher
With twenty-plus years of experience under our belts, we have learned many valuable lessons through our own successes and failures. This firsthand knowledge trumps the book smarts and theoretical knowledge of younger generations.

13. Great sex
As we enter our forties, we have gained confidence and sexual experience. Gone are the days of fumbling around, trying to figure things out. We know what we want, and we know how to get it.

In conclusion, ageing is nothing to fear. Turning forty is a milestone that brings with it unique perks and invaluable life lessons. By sharing these experiences with younger generations, women can empower themselves and create a more positive outlook on life.