What I learned about my first year in my 40's

This is me at 41. It’s been a year of ups and downs as I reached the big 4-0, but growing older hasn’t been too bad overall. 

I feel comfortable in my older, maybe a little more weathered, skin, but it’s been a mixture of emotions. Primarily, I’ve noticed I’ve been having a little more fear and anxiety lately.

When I was in my 20s and 30s, I always assumed that my future was something way down the road. All of my hopes, dreams and goals had a long runway. I didn’t need to worry about rushing to accomplish things.

• Find a girlfriend? It’ll happen eventually.

• Travel to exotic places? You’ll have plenty of time for that.

• Start a foundation to help others with disabilities? Dream big, Gabe.

Suddenly 20 years fly by and all those hopes and goals have stalled. That runway has gotten incredibly shorter. And that’s where the fear and anxiety come in.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my life and I wouldn’t change it for anything, but I planned on doing things in my life and it feels like those opportunities are quickly passing me by. If not gone already.

If nothing else, my foray into my 40s has brought me a new sense of urgency. I don’t know how much time or opportunity I have left to do the things I still want to accomplish. No longer can I procrastinate and practice patience.

I’ve seen and experienced a lot in my 40 years, but there’s still plenty I want to do.

There’s no better time to start than now.