Why 40?

The ‘Embodied’ Project is something I conceived as a year-long exploration as I move from 39 to 40. Why is the age 40 significant for me and this project?

Big milestones are interesting. I like New Year’s because it’s a perfect time to reflect on the year just gone and your hopes and dreams for the future. A big milestone birthday offers a similar opportunity.

The age of 40 is a particular age for women. It’s generally accepted that 40 is the end of our fertile years; although people have babies after 40 the risk of complications is higher. When I was growing up, at least, I always saw the age of 40 as the cut-off for having babies.

Reproduction is so intimately tied up with the body, and finding a mate is so fraught with body image. As this chapter comes to a close for me, I’m interested in reflecting and looking back at my relationship to my body as a young person, while also looking forward to the next chapter and my hopes and dreams. How would I like the relationship I have with my body to change? What can I explore to help me change my perspective?

I celebrated my 39th birthday two days ago, so it’s time for my project to begin!