What No One Tells You About Turning 40

Diva Tonight with Carlene Humphrey

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Host Carlene reunites with high school friend Sarah Lau for an intimate conversation about navigating life's challenges and joys as women in their forties.
• Sarah shares her experience turning 40 with a 16-month-old baby and a nine-year-old daughter
• Motherhood feels different at 40 compared to 30—less energy but more experience and purposefulness
• Medical professionals increasingly normalize pregnancy in your late thirties/early forties
• Returning to work after maternity leave in your forties can open doors to new career opportunities
• The biggest misconception about turning 40 is that you're "on the downhill" when it's actually an upward trajectory
• Going through divorce in your thirties can feel like failure, especially within certain cultural contexts
• Finding love again after divorce takes time and personal growth
• Setting rigid life timelines (marriage by 28, kids by 30) creates unnecessary pressure
• Taking breaks or detours in your career journey isn't catastrophic in the context of a 45-year career
• Women in their forties often have better relationships, clearer priorities, and more self-acceptance
Connect with us on Instagram @diva_tonight to join the conversation about women's experiences in their forties.
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Chapters

1. Introduction and High School Reminiscing (00:00:00)

2. Celebrating the 40th Birthday Milestone (00:04:26)

3. Motherhood in Your 40s vs. 30s (00:08:32)

4. Career Pivots and Post-Maternity Return (00:14:38)

5. Regrets and Life Reflections (00:23:08)

6. Misconceptions About Women in Their 40s (00:33:33)

7. Navigating Divorce and Finding Love Again (00:38:00)

8. Advice for Women Approaching Their 40s (00:50:18)