Turning 40? A Funny Midlife Survival Guide You’ll Relate To
- Hillary Huyghue-Matias
- Sep 14
- 4 min read
They always say life is full of surprises—like finding $20 in your old jeans, getting flowers “just because,” or realizing you’ve smiled at people all day with spinach in your teeth. But at 40? It felt like my body filed for bankruptcy overnight and forgot to notify me. I later found this memo it sent me, which was lost in my spam folder, that read:
“Effective immediately, we’re shutting down for renovations. No timeline on restoration."
"All the best with that!"
These days, my midlife survival kit includes Stellace Sleep Supplements (get 10% off), energy shots, and magnesium—all things I wish came standard with turning 40.
What Really Happens When You Turn 40 (Spoiler: It’s a Plot Twist)
Turning 40, hit me like a truck filled with IKEA furniture—complicated, exhausting, and missing half the instructions. Completely overstocked with brain fog, sleepless nights, and a patience fuse shorter than an iPhone charger. At first, I thought maybe it was just me who wasn't prepared for what happens when you turn 40. But then I started writing about it here on my blog, Out of Body Xperience, and discovered a whole squad of over-40 midlife survivors nodding, laughing, and replying, “Yes, SAME!
That’s when it hit me: this wasn’t just my story, it was our story. And it deserved to be told, start to finish. I wanted to create a laugh-out-loud, relatable read for the over-40 crowd, where you can see yourself on the page, nod along, and think: Nope, it’s not just me.
Best Over-40 Must-Haves for Surviving Midlife: weighted blanket, blue light glasses, over-40 t-shirt
How My Blog Became a Funny Book About Turning 40
So I did what any sleep-deprived Gen Xer/older millennial who learned how to write cursive would do: I turned it all into a funny book about turning 40. And so was born, I Turned 40 and Everything Stopped Working—Even Me!
Grab it on Amazon today (or free with Kindle Unlimited) and start laughing your way through midlife!
This book isn’t a medical guide or a self-help book (if you want hormone charts and serious advice, Google will keep you up all night). This is an over-40 survival guide, packed with midlife humor, sarcasm, and the kind of honesty that makes you laugh at 2 a.m. when insomnia strikes again.
Inside you’ll find:
Insomnia that feels like the worst sleepover you never RSVP’d to.
Your memory becomes like "a browser with 37 tabs open. Most of them frozen, one playing music I can’t find, and none helping me remember what I was originally searching for."
The shocking realization that the only six-pack you’ll see again is in the grocery store beer aisle.
That "if you've ever canceled plans because your couch felt emotionally supportive" you're not alone.
Why Uber is basically just adult Stranger Danger.
The mysterious case of your waistline turning 40 before you do.
Realizing that "A photo is worth a thousand words, none of which should be: 'Is that my neck?'"
So that I don't break a hip after 40 when tying my shoe, I always have my massage gun, treadmill, and foam roller on hand.
Treat yourself to a midlife reset!
Who Should Read This Midlife Survival Book About Turning 40
If you’re a Gen Xer or older millennial who thought life after 40 would look like a wine commercial but instead feels more like a blooper reel, welcome to the club. Men, women, married, singles, parents, non-parents, there's something there for everyone! If your body now sounds like a Rice Krispies commercial every time you stand up (snap, crackle, pop), you're my people.
I wrote this book because I needed to laugh through it, and I figured you might too. Because midlife and all its changes can be scary and overwhelming, but learning to laugh about it along the way helps you stay sane. So if you’re ready for a midlife pick-me-up that doesn’t involve kale or white noise apps, come hang out with me in the pages.
This heating pad, wearable blanket, and self-care kit help me stay relaxed and somewhat sane through midlife.
Ready to Laugh Through Midlife?
Life over-40 is just the beginning!
👉 Grab your copy today of I Turned 40 and Everything Stopped Working—Even Me! and start laughing through midlife before your body sends you that memo. Available for free with Kindle Unlimited or on Amazon.
Because yes, life after 40 may glitch, but at least we can treat it like a blooper reel instead of a tragedy!
Wondering how I found the time to write this book while navigating midlife chaos? Be on the lookout for a future blog post when I talk more about that...
Remember to like, comment, and share this post with your over-40 bestie!
Here's to us!
You'll find links to some of my favorite products, so feel free to take a look!
As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Over-40 Midlife Essentials
Great read and can't wait to read the book! 😉