Turning 40: My Annual Birthday Resolutions (and a Lesson in Leaving Room for Magic)

Letting Go of Perfect Plans and Embracing What Feels Good

“Wake up at 5 AM consistently. Drink a gallon of water a day. Stick to a workout plan. Read a book every month. These have made my birthday resolution list nearly (okay, definitely) every single year.

The 5 AM mornings? I manage them for a week before my night-owl tendencies creep back in. The gallon of water? Some days I nail it, others… I’m sipping coffee and counting it as hydration. The workout plan? Let’s just say my yoga mat has become more of a decorative floor piece than a habit.

And the books? I love them, but sometimes life just wins, and my “to be read” stack looks more like décor than progress.

Resolutions, But Reimagined

For years, I let these resolutions be the scorecard for how “together” I was. Every unchecked box felt like a failure.

But now, at 40, I see them differently. I don’t want my birthday—my own personal New Year—to feel like a test. I want it to feel like an open invitation: to grow, to soften, to laugh at the undone goals, and to celebrate what I have done instead.

What I’m Choosing This Year

Instead of 5 AM alarms, I’m focusing on better sleep and gentler mornings. Instead of forcing a gallon of water, I’m celebrating every day I choose hydration over soda. Instead of strict workout plans, I’m aiming for movement I actually enjoy—even if it’s dancing in the kitchen or a quick Supernatural session on my Oculus. And instead of racing through books, I’m savoring them—one audiobook at a time.

The Magic in the Flexibility

A friend recently told me, “Make sure you leave room for magic.”

At 40, I don’t want resolutions that feel like pressure. I want space: for the unplanned, for the detours, for the delightful surprises life throws my way.

"“Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.” — Roald Dahl

 10 Resolutions I’m Actually Keeping at 40

1. Drink more water (but celebrate progress over perfection).

2. Build a nightime routine/ritual as a nightly pause.

3. Move my body daily—whether it’s a workout, a walk, or dancing in the kitchen.

4. Find ways to give back—through volunteering, mentorship, or small acts of kindness.

5. Protect my mornings with gentler wake-ups and less screen time.

6. Prioritize sleep like it’s self-care (because it is).

7. Practice saying “no” to what drains me and “yes” to what excites me.

8. Find hobbies to explore—gardening, painting, or anything that sparks joy.

9. Romanticize the small moments: flowers for no reason, candlelit dinners at home, slow Sunday mornings.

10. Celebrate myself without guilt—my wins, my growth, and even my restful days.

My Resolution for 40

If turning 40 has taught me anything, it’s this: resolutions don’t need to be rigid to be meaningful. This year, I’m trading perfection for progress and embracing goals that feel nurturing, not punishing.

I’m focusing on the simple things that add up—drinking more water, building a calming tea ritual, moving my body in ways I enjoy, and finding new ways to give back. I’m protecting my mornings, prioritizing my sleep, and learning to say “no” to what doesn’t serve me so I can say a fuller “yes” to what does.

I’m making space for joy by exploring new hobbies, romanticizing the small, everyday moments, and celebrating myself without guilt—whether I’m ticking off a goal or simply resting. At 40, my resolution isn’t about becoming someone new—it’s about honoring the woman I already am while making room to grow. It’s about intention over intensity, grace over guilt, and choosing a life that feels both soft and powerful.

Now It's Your Turn

What would make your list of birthday resolutions? Which small shifts or soulful habits are you choosing this year? Share them in the comments—I’d love to hear how you’re leaving room for magic in your own life.

Or, if you’re more of a quiet reflector, take a moment today to jot them down in your journal, sip your favorite tea, and set intentions that feel like a gift, not a chore.

Here’s to turning the page together. Here’s to a year of simple habits, soulful living, and leaving space for magic along the way.

Because sometimes, the best moments in life are the ones we never planned for.