An Ode to being 40 and what it really Means to Me

Well, well…..your woman here turned 40 last week. And it has been a heart warming of a week soaking in the journey so far and embracing what lies ahead.

Before I do that, I want you to take a sneak peek at a dance of mine. And feel the energy. Click on the image below to be led to this dance of mine -

This is me at 40…..

There were 14 people around me and I was lost in the dance. I did not care a damn. I did not know I was being recorded. This was a start of a full fledged dance soaking in the expanse of the beauty in front of me. And in that moment I realised, I am free in the true sense. The more I lean into my body and listen to its cues, the more I heal and feel. Our bodies are indeed magic.

And do you know what has shaped me to be here where I am today? My life lessons till date and the amount of work I do on myself growing each single day. Here are some life lessons which you can use to excel your life too -

• I have had a childhood where my mom was unwell most of my growing years. We did not have a mother who was emotionally present for us. She was fighting her own demons.
  
  My childhood has taught me to be kind. And a new perspective towards mental illnesses. And if you are someone who is going through a mental illness or catering to someone who has a mental illness, let me tell you that I can see you and feel you. Please be kind to yourself.
  

• The Harshad Mehta scam depleted us of all our savings. Once a lavish home went to a home where daily needs were just met. Money could not lessen our togetherness though.
  
  This period taught me to be self reliant. My sister and me started having side hustles to sponsor our education early on. We bought a fridge when I started working post my MBA. It is till date my pricest and proudest buy.
  

  This period also made me an adult a little sooner. If you are sailing in a similar boat, don’t let the child inside you die so soon. Bring play in everyday and keep that child alive along with the responsibilities.
  

• Our son arrived in our lives after 7 years. These years we were labelled ‘unexplained infertility’ and left to feel the void. I was not ready to inject myself with all the hormones for a IUI or an IVF. I had stopped living my life and made it a baby mission. Only to be frustrated further.
  
  When I let go and started focusing on serving women, came those 2 pink lines on my kit. Without any external help.
  
  If you are holding on to something very dearly, try loosening your grip. And see the magic unfold.
  

• No one prepares you for motherhood. After having our rainbow son post 7 years, I should have been the happiest. I was instead exhausted and frustrated. Seeing everyone else’s life almost going back to normal in a month except mine left a bitter feeling inside me. My marriage was in shit space.
  
  This time taught me to cater to my needs and be vocal about it. So speak up. Convey and communicate your needs.
  

• Moving our bodies is non negotiable. At 30 I started moving my body. At 40 I am gym training. So age is just a number. Pick up a movement you love and make it a loving ritual.
  

• Sharing stories of my life made me realise I am not alone. And I want you also to know that you are not alone.
  

• The way to not let the external affect you as much is through a regulated nervous system. My work with my mentor Megs Sharland has brought that to me.
  
  Having a mentor is one of the highlights of my free life today. You may want to seek one too :)

This is me at 40.

Embracing love in a new form. Love beyond mortality. Love the forgiveness way.

Being unshakeable. Having a nervous system so adept that nothing external can shake my core.

Discovering death in its rawest form. You live beyond for sure.

Making movement a ritual. Healing myself with the rythms of my body. Our bodies are pure magic. Leaning in its magic.

Imbibing spirituality beyond the religious label. Opening up my entire being to the cosmos and nature. My two bestest friends.

Being me. Owning me. Success for me is being me. And this me deserves praise and damn celebration.

As I write this tears pour down my eyes. Being seen by yourself feels like the biggest hug and safety you can ever have.

This is 40. And I am just getting started. I have never felt so full in my heart as I feel in this season of my life ❤️

And as my mentor Megs says, I invite you to read and take on this email and see what resonates for you. Even read it a few times this week, and you will catch something new each time.

Hit reply,

Vent

Speak out

Share it out

Speak out what is your truth behind closed doors, and you wish to untangle.

​All women are so fucking courageous in their soul that they are made to navigate this. I have never met one that is not.

All women are so fucking unique, yet we can seem to unknowingly block how we feel and experience ourselves- when such depths of how we see, taste and be who we are genuinely is SUBLIME.

Your reply could be your micro step to admitting to yourself that you are ready to change the way you approach these times, your existence because you MATTER. It could acknowledge how your self-development journey is so committed, yet you have never celebrated it.

Enjoy......

I love you all.

Xx Pradnya xX

PS: I have only 4 spaces left in The Rose Sisterhood May cohort. Where we are building this resilience. Unfolding our gifts. Learning how to stand out at our workplaces with authority. Come join us - https://subscribepage.io/JFFvCH

The juicy things happening in my life in upcoming weeks...

1. I will be replying to all of you who email me your insights on this newsletter.
   

2. For the entire month of May, I am talking about how to get unstuck at your career. Providing guidance to your specific questions and scenarios. Join Get Unstuck here.
   

3. Navigating Working Mom Guilt is here to download.
   

4. Are you ready to stand out at your work place with authority? However not sure how? Join the next cohort of The Rose Sisterhood. Your place to start your journey for that 35% hike, promotion, role change or saying ‘yes’ to a leadership role - https://bit.ly/4aaczRk