39
February 12, 2015
I kicked off my 39th year on this planet at a salon, getting my roots covered.
I wouldn’t call this a gift to myself, but instead a gift to everyone who has to look at my many gray hairs.
While at the salon, whose magazine selection featured nothing but the Kardashian family (I just can’t), I found myself with nothing to do but think. And so think I did. And here’s what I came up with.
I am much happier at 39 than I was at 29.
Here’s why:
- I am finally in NYC, where I belong.
- I’m working in a field I love (entertainment), doing work that I love (finance / accounting).
- The older I get, the less I care what other people think about me.
- Material things, which used to mean so much, now have little importance in my world.
- Maya is older and parenting is easier in so many ways.
- I’m in better shape than I was in high school.
In short, I am happy.
Yesterday my super tactful husband said, “Wow, 39 seems almost worse than 40 doesn’t it?”
But as usual, I disagree with him. Because I’ve had 39 years to realize that for me, confidence and happiness seem proportional with age. And so for now the number doesn’t matter so much.
For now.
57 Comments
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While I'm not going to win Mother/Wife of the Year Award anytime soon, I haven't killed anyone yet or shot myself in the head. And that, my friends, is how I calculate success these days. 
FANCY THAT FANCY THIS 
I turned 39 last month, and all I have to say in response to this post is – YES!!!
Happy Belated Birthday Heather! I hope we get a chance to meet up one of these days soon…I think we’d have so much to catch up on. 🙂
Oh, and Happy Birthday! 🙂
Thank you!
Happy Birthday, Ameena! Honestly, in todays world, age is just a number.
Living life to the fullest and doing things that you love are the most important things. I wish I can say yes to some of the important things on my happiness list when I reach 39!
PS: I hate the Kardashians!!!
Thank you Priyanka! Glad to know that I’m not the only one who dislikes the Kardashians. 🙂 Hope that you are doing well!!
This is one of my favorite posts! Wishing you a very happy birthday, my friend! I hope you continue to enjoy life and have many adventures with your marvelous family.
Thank you Jenna! I always appreciate your comments and nice words. 🙂
Happy Birthday Ameena.
Come and enjoy the Sun and 70 deg. temp. in Florida.
I wish Dr. Agrawal!! We will take you up on the offer one of these days, I promise. 🙂
Happy birthday and amen. I turn 39 this year and it doesn’t bother me at all. Aside from being a bit adrift career-wise and with much younger children, I agree with all of it. I care so much less what people think or what I look like. I am content in a way I would never have contemplated in my twenties. Bring on 40 I say.
So nice to find so many readers that are the same age! We can relate on so many levels.
Thanks for the nice comment Amanda!
I am so with you. Why doesn’t anyone talk about this? Older kids = the best, why should we cry they are not little (little = requiring constant attention)? And at 41, though sometimes problems get bigger with age, I too feel more content, more stable too. And I love that you love NYC.
The constant need for providing attention is one of the reasons I only have Maya. So glad that you can relate and understand.
You look fantastic for 41 by the way. I had no idea you weren’t in your 30s.
Happy birthday Ameena! Here’s to many many many more of blessings and happiness to you! Have an awesome weekend! Maybe Ali will cook you a nice birthday dinner 😉
PS: I can’t stand the Kardashians either.
Thank you Lydia! Ali ordered me a nice birthday dinner (seamless is the best). Cooking would just never happen. 🙂
Love this post (and your attitude!) Sending you birthday love x
Thank you Habiba! I appreciate the nice comment.
Hate to say it, but you’re kicking off your 40th year (as you’ve already completed 39 years). Annoying math!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
So true! I never thought of it that way Hilary!
love it. happy 39. i think it sounds pretty awesome, too 🙂
Thanks Sarah! I appreciate the nice comment.
Life does get better with age! Your perspective changes in so many ways. I’ll be 49 in May. Doesn’t faze me a bit. As far as the hair color thing, I go every 3 weeks 🙂 Happy happy birthday! Heading your way tomorrow for a few days. Off to the Bronx (gotta love Arthur Ave) for food and then NJ for a bit.
Every 3 weeks? Is that what’s going to happen to me? Maybe I should stop complaining about going every 6 weeks. 😦
Have a great day today and stay warm!
Ameena you are gorgeous!!! Happy 39!!! 30’s are better than 20’s anyway for all the reasons you listed and so many more! Best! xx- Heather
Thank you Heather! I appreciate the kind words, they made my morning.
Welcome to 39! Hope you have a fantastic year. Being happy is an amazing way to live.
Thank you MFM! I hope that you are doing well, it’s been a while!
Yay, love this post! For what it’s worth, I think 39 sounds awesome. Happy Birthday friend!
Thank you A! I hope that you are doing well!
Awww.. happy 39th birthday, Ameena! I’m glad you are happy.. so important. You really love NYC… the weather is killing me. Let’s meet up on a weekday for coffee if you can’t do dinner. I can come closer to you since I work in midtown and I have to go to NJ anyway.
Yes, would love to meet up since lunch is too difficult during the week. I will text you!
happy 39th!
I ‘m so happy that you are “Happy’!” x
Thank you my friend!! I hope that you are happy too. 🙂
Happy birthday Ameena! Here’s to many more fabulous years!!
Thank you Zarine! I hope that you are doing well!
Happy happy birthday, Ameena!! Here’s to another fabulous year!
Thanks Parita!!
omg how amazing! what a perfect and blissful place to be…very well said my friend, xoxo
Miss you N, so glad we caught up yesterday. 🙂
And you look stunning at 39, lemme just say. GET AFTER IT. I agree with you though. While I’m a touch younger than you and have entered my 32nd rotation around the sun (though not officially until October), I realize that I”m WAY happier now than I was 10 years ago. My 22-year-old self is probably shitting her pants because she can’t fathom anything past “OMG FINALS AND BOYS ARE DUMB.” 😉 More mature? Yes. Well, debatable…but I’d like to think I am.
Happy happy birthday Ameena. Your blog makes me smile every time I come read it. Hope you had/have a wonderful birthday celebration!
Your comment made my afternoon, so thank you A!
I had to laugh at the “boys are dumb” because I think those exact words came out of Maya’s mouth yesterday LOL.
Thanks for reading!
Great sentiments! Your 30s let you become more comfortable in your own skin.
Thanks for the comment YC…hope that you are doing well!
Happy 39th! I hope Maya and Ali showered you with attention and gifts 😉
Thank you P!! 🙂
Happy belated birthday Ameena! I also must say you look great at 39 – definitely something to aspire to 🙂 hope you’re well xxx
Thank you Nada! I appreciate the kind words, more than you know!
Very well said, Ameena…I love your perspective, and agree that I am a lot more contented (and appreciative) in my 30s. Happy belated birthday!
Thank you Alissa! And thanks for reading. 🙂
Happy Belated Birthday, Ameena! This post is simply wonderful, and has me thinking about my attitude around growing older (which has been *ahem* less than stellar) — it also reminds me that I’ve been reading your blog for almost five years!
Hope you are staying warm 🙂
5 years! Amazing Jessie.
Thanks for the comment and for reading, especially for so long. 🙂 I appreciate it!!
I love this post! So true Ameena. I am older but when I was in my earlier 40’s I felt the same way. I am happy you realized this in your 30’s. Happy, Happy belated Birthday! 🙂
Thank you Nicole! And thanks for reading, I appreciate your kind comments. 🙂
Happy birthday! When I was 39 I couldn’t wait to turn 40. There was something absolutely wonderful about knowing I just didn’t give a f*ck about some things and it was so empowering. Turning 30 was hard but 40 was fabulous. I took 5 girlfriends of
Mine who we’re and treated them to a massage and high tea after. It was the best birthday I’d ever had. 39 looks great in you. Keep wearing it with pride! This year I turn 45. Nothing fancy planned, in fact I am spending my birthday weekend chaperoning all the seniors at the school I teach at for their retreat. But I’ll sare down 45 with a smile and embrace it.
Sorry for typos (am on my phone) I treated 5 friends who are moms.
I love the massage and high tea idea! I told Ali that on my 40th I want to be out of the country. I now want to be out of the country getting a massage, followed by high tea. 🙂
Thanks for the comment Willlgoh!