This is 40 – Day 1

I celebrated my birthday yesterday. I don’t feel any different from the year before, but I’ve had several friends ask if I feel okay about turning 40. It didn’t even occur to me that I might not be okay until they asked . . .

I recently finished a Jen Hatmaker book, where she covers so many downsides of being 40. The one I take issue with most is about being unable to learn new things. Perhaps she was being funny or sarcastic, like she is in several chapters of the book. Either way, I have a lot to learn. In an age where people can live to 115 (according to Dave Asprey but I haven’t validated this), 40 isn’t even halfway there! I’ve had great-grandmothers live to their 90’s even, so I’m not lying down to rest (not yet!).

At the Spa!

I’m counting this day 1 of being 40. My main event today was a wonderful day in Leukerbad, Switzerland, at the spa. I have done this many times in my life, and decided to make it a yearly tradition last year. I went to the Roman-Irish baths, which has 11 stations, involving saunas, pools, and scrubs. At station 4 or 5, I was given a soap scrub and massage. There was also a station after that where I gave myself a sugar and olive oil scrub. Station 11 involved 1 minute in a pool with 12 degree Celsius water. I was determined to spend 1 full minute in there. First, I managed to stay for 20 seconds, but my feet hurt too much from the cold to stay longer. I then lasted 10 seconds. Finally, I went in a final time, planning to stay in for 30 seconds. But I got to 30 seconds, and felt I could stay longer. So I did! I counted 1, 100, 2, 100, all the way to 70, 100. The signage suggested spending 1 minute in the pool so … 🙌

I had one more station after this, the relaxation room. I did a guided meditation by Tara Brach, had some green tea, and enjoyed the view from the window. The visualization in the meditation was on life force, which I felt was very appropriate!

Lunch was unremarkable. You can’t win them all, but after a short rest, I had a 45 minute full body massage 😍. Then I relaxed in the sauna village with a cranberry kombucha 😍before ending my day at the spa.

Cablecar to Torrent

As I walked out of the building, I noticed a sign to go to Torrent. I knew that was a cable car, so I headed off in that direction. I’d heard that there are great views of the Alps. I think it would be more hopping in the winter but it was a pretty view. The goats (?) were an interesting addition.

A wonderful day in a beautiful place. And oh, 40 definitely isn’t too old for new experiences. The Roman – Irish spa is a nude area. My was at station 8 when another man (in addition to the employee) entered the space. I figure everyone just minds their own business and go about their bathing. I feel very European!