What I’ve Learned at 40: Embracing Growth Like a Lotus Flower
Your soul is a lotus flower, blooming beautifully despite life’s challenges.
Hi Friend:
Turning 40 is a milestone that invites reflection. For me, this chapter of life feels like stepping into the most authentic version of myself—like a lotus flower rising gracefully from the mud, blooming despite challenges and thriving because of them. The lotus flower symbolizes purity, resilience, and transformation, all qualities I’ve come to embrace as a 40-year-old woman.
In this blog post, I’ll share some of the key lessons I’ve learned about growth, strength, and self-discovery in this beautiful, transformative season of life.
1. Growth Happens in the Messy Places
The lotus grows in muddy waters, yet its bloom is pristine. This has taught me that life’s greatest lessons often come from the hardest experiences. Growth happens when I go through pain and the only way through is through. I have learned to find the message in the mess. Challenges, heartbreaks, and setbacks don’t define us—they refine us.
Lesson: Don’t fear the mud. It’s in the struggles that I uncover my strength, learn resilience, and become more compassionate toward myself and others.
2. Live One Day at a Time
In my younger years, I often felt overwhelmed trying to plan for the future or make sense of the past. One of the absolute best lesson I have learned over the past six years is to LIVE ONE DAY AT A TIME, I used to have one foot in yesterday, one foot in tomorrow, and then I was pissing all over today. For me, it was not a productive way to live and it was also attached to my anxiety disorder. Now, through a lot of practice, I have learned how too and the power of living fully in the present moment. By taking life one day at a time, I feel more grounded, less anxions, and better equipped to handle whatever comes my way.
Lesson: You don’t have to have it all figured out. Focus on today—just today—and let tomorrow unfold as it will.
3. Making Connections is the Heart of Life
Like the lotus thrives in its environment, I’ve learned that my relationships are vital to my well-being. Authentic connections—whether with friends, family, or even strangers—bring joy, meaning, and support to my life.
Lesson: Invest time in nurturing meaningful connections. Celebrate the people who make life richer and brighter.
4. I Can Do Hard Things
Life has thrown its share of challenges my way, but each time, I’ve risen stronger. I am at a place where I fully trust my ability to overcome difficulties and find solutions, no matter how hard the road ahead might seem.
Lesson: Believe in my resilience. I am stronger than i know, and I can handle more than I think.
5. Self-Acceptance is Liberating
At 40, I’ve learned to let go of perfectionism and embrace who I truly am—flaws, quirks, and all. I know longer worry about others’ opinions or try to meet societal expectations
Lesson: I am enough, just as I am. Accepting myself doesn’t mean I stop growing; it means I love myself through the process.
6. Boundaries Are a Form of Self-Love
Like the lotus remains untouched by the muddy water it grows in, I’ve learned the importance of setting boundaries to protect my peace and energy. Saying no isn’t selfish—it’s necessary for preserving what matters most. And at this point in my life, I will protect my peace as if my life depends on it.
Lesson: Boundaries are a way of honoring my worth. I protect my energy and focus on relationships and commitments that nourish my soul.
7. It’s Never Too Late to Bloom
The lotus blooms anew each day, reminding me that age is just a number and that growth and transformation is always possible. Whether it’s deepening my recovery program, continuing to grow along spiritual lines, learning new skills , or deepening relationships, this season of life has shown me that life is still full of possibilities.
Lesson: Don’t let fear or self-doubt hold me back. I can reinvent myself at any stage of life.
8. Presence is the Key to Fulfillment
The older I get, the more I realize the beauty of living in the moment. When I focus on the now—whether it’s savoring a cup of tea, enjoying a conversation, or watching a sunset—I feel truly alive.
Lesson: Stop rushing through life. Slow down and find joy in the little moments.
9. Surround Yourself with Growth-Minded People
The lotus thrives in its environment, and so do we. Surrounding myself with people who uplift, inspire, and challenge me has been one of the most transformative decisions of my life.
Lesson: Choose your circle wisely. I surround myself with people who encourage my growth and celebrate my wins.
10. Let Go to Grow
A lotus sheds old petals to bloom anew. Similarly, I’ve learned to let go of what no longer serves me—whether it’s toxic relationships, outdated beliefs, or past regrets.
Lesson: Growth requires release. I had to make peace with the past so I could embrace the present and welcome the future.
11. Gratitude Changes Everything
The lotus finds beauty even in the mud, and I’ve learned to find gratitude in all things—the highs and the lows. Practicing gratitude has shifted my mindset from lack to abundance.
Lesson: Focus on what I have, not what I lack. Gratitude creates space for more blessings to flow into my life.
Final Thoughts
Turning 40 has been a season of blossoming for me, much like a lotus flower emerging from the mud to reveal its beauty. It’s a reminder that life’s challenges don’t define us—they help us grow into who we’re meant to be.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that life is a journey of constant transformation. I try to embrace the mess, trust the process, and remember: just like the lotus, I have the power to rise and bloom, no matter where I’ve been or what I’ve endured.
Your Turn:
Are you aware of what lessons have shaped you in your life’s journey? Are you struggling transitioning to major changes in your life? I am here to help. Contact me through the website and book your first session today.
XO Jenna
