A relatable, empathetic, and practical exploration of midlife today—and a field guide to do it your way. AN OPEN FIELD BOOK FROM MARIA SHRIVER Entering your 40s can feel like navigating a relentless wave of societal pressure, self-doubt, and expectations. Questions like "Am I where I 'should' be?", "Should I marry?", "Have kids?", "Switch careers?", "Worry about my finances?", and "Ask my doctor about perimenopause?" often dominate our thoughts. For generations, women have been fed a narrow narrative about midlife—one of stability and monotony. Yet, today's societal and economic pressures have reshaped this decade into something far more dynamic and unexpected. But here's the exciting part: your 40s can also be a time of thrilling self-discovery. You finally know yourself and are ready to break free from all the “shoulds.” This is the decade to embrace the magic and renewal that turning 40 can offer. In Being 40 , globally-recognized journalist Stacey Lindsay crafts a new narrative that captures the diverse experiences of women entering midlife today. Through insights from experts such as Vanessa Cornell, Dené Logan, Tara Mohr, Dr. Ashita Gehlot, Jen Gottlieb, and many more; candid interviews with real women; and her own personal journey; Lindsay provides inspiring guidance on navigating key aspects of this age—marriage and relationships, having children vs. not, beauty standards, career transitions, health shifts, and more. Each chapter includes thought-provoking prompts to help you uncover what you truly desire in this phase of life. Being 40 is a fresh and empowering roadmap for anyone ready to listen to their intuition, embrace their true selves, and feel prepared for this wild, weird, and wonderful decade.