Whilst the conversation around aging is s.l.o.w.l.y shifting, there is still a LONG way to go to see women over 40 really being celebrated.  And not because they look good 'for their age' or have done well 'for their age' - actually, I'd really like to see that whole 'for their age' attitude dumped once and for all, it's patronising as hell and totally buys into the idea that life after 40 is all down hill.  Even a lot of articles that look like they're pro-women over 40 end up promoting 'anti-aging' products.  Erm...so it's okay to celebrate women over 40 as long as you don't look like one?! I mean come on, there are plenty of things to be anti about in this world, but a few wrinkles...I don't think so!  

So, here are some inspiring quotes from Hollywood Legends reminding us of the gifts of being over 40 - and they should know because let's face it, if we're having a day when we feel less than thrilled about the passing years at least we don't have to see ourselves projected onto a huge screen or plastered over the papers with 'journalists' writing about how we have lost our looks/figures etc. I passionately believe that the more women speak out about the beauty of life after 40 and the positive things that come with it, the more future generations will embrace getting older and will wonder what the hell all the fuss was about.

'I just think that things get easier as you get older and wiser and more experienced. You get more confident about who you are as you get older. I find that really comforting.' 

- Rachel Weisz

 

'I've had more fun post-40 than I can remember…From a work point of view, a physical point of view, a psychotherapeutic point of view.' 

– Jennifer Aniston

 

‘At 40 my life changed so much.  I think every woman around this time gets this massive software upgrade.  You're just different,  You're upgraded.’ 

– Gwyneth Paltrow

 

‘I wouldn't want to be 20 now. I know so much more, and I'm much more comfortable in my skin, saggy as it is ... When I hear young girls complaining about superficial things ... You're at the peak of your physical beauty right now! Just enjoy it and stop worrying about your thighs being too big ... If you're upset with how you look at 25, life's going to be tough.’ 

- Susan Sarandon

 

'You have to embrace getting older.  Life is precious and when you've lost a lot of people you realise that each day is a gift' 

- Meryl Streep

 

‘We live in a youth-obsessed culture that is constantly trying to tell us that if we are not young, and we're not glowing, and we're not hot, that we don't matter. I refuse to let a system or a culture or a distorted view of reality tell me that I don't matter. I know that only by owning who and what you are can you start to step into the fullness of life. Every year should be teaching us all something valuable. Whether you get the lesson is really up to you.’ 

- Oprah

 

‘I actually have better sex — which is the bottom line, is it not? At 60. Because you learn how to, you know, work the vehicle better.’ 

- Lauren Hutton

 

‘If you take care of yourself, 60 is nothing for women these days. In today's world you can be the kind of woman you want to be ... Of course, I've aged a bit in the face, but not enough to worry about it. I've common sense enough to know that if I'm nearly 70 something has to give.’ 

-Tina Turner

 

'Getting older is the best part of life. I know more than I've ever known. I have gratitude. I know myself better. I feel more capable than ever. And as far as the physicality of it — I feel better at 40 than I did at 25.' 

- Cameron Diaz

 

'I don't do anything to look younger; this is one battle that you will lose eventually. It is more becoming to accept the unique characteristics that come with age. Women who stay true to themselves are always more interesting and beautiful to me, women like Frida Kahlo, Georgia O'Keeffe and Anna Magnani - women who have style, chic, allure and elegance. They didn't submit to any standard of beauty - they defined it.' 

- Isabella Rossellini

 

'I have absolutely no objection to growing older. I am a stroke survivor so I am extremely grateful to be aging – I have nothing but gratitude for the passing years. I am aging – lucky, lucky me!'

- Sharon Stone

 

'I never gave up believing that there was much more to life than how I was living it...There is no need to feel defeated at 40, 50 or 60. I'm having the greatest time in the second half of my life...I like the thought that I've saved my best years for last.' 

- Kim Catrall

 

'We become more complete as we grow older and, at 18, we don't realize just how young and inexperienced we are...So growing older is not such a big deal for me, despite the fears that older actresses have in Hollywood. When I hit 40, for example, I didn't feel 40 — or whatever that is supposed to feel like.' 

- Halle Berry