1. Confidence

The best thing that I've noticed about turning 40 is that your confidence shoots up massively. I feel ten times more self-assured than I did when I was younger. In fact, I wasn't very confident at all. But now I'm full of confidence - and my over-40 friends report the same thing. It's fantastic being forty-something.

2. You Don't Care What Other People Think

When you're younger, you worry a lot about what other people think of you. You even let it govern your decisions; you may not do things you really want to do because of what people might say. By the time you're over 40, you just do whatever you want, and take no notice of other people's opinions. They are irrelevant. The only opinion that truly matters is your own.

3. You Appreciate Life

By the time you hit your forties, you've usually been through a few challenges. Life will have been quite difficult at times. But that tends to make you feel pretty grateful for the positive things you have. You really appreciate your life and have a much more positive outlook.

4. You Know Yourself

After you turn 40, you know yourself pretty well. You know what matters to you in life and discard anything that doesn't work for you. Why waste time on things you don't enjoy and that don't bring you anything? You're also sure about what you want from relationships, and wouldn't dream of putting up with any bad treatment.

5. 40 is the New …

Our perception of 40 has changed over recent decades, and women in their forties are leading very different lives from their mothers or grandmothers at the same age. We wear what we like, and refuse to be defined by our age. And we won't go grey! At 40, many women are starting a family or are happy with their decision not to have one. It's changed so much.

6. It's Still Young

40 is still young. You're old enough to have acquired some wisdom, and young enough to be active - and have plenty of time ahead of you. I've done a lot more since I turned 40 than I ever did in the years before. And I know I have a lot more time to achieve more.

7. You've Learned a Lot

Finally, when you get to 40 you've already learned a lot. You know what you do and don't want, what your priorities are, and that you can cope with so much more than you ever though you could. You acquire a sense of security in yourself and yet there is still so much more to discover. It's an adventure!

So remember the old saying 'Life begins at 40' - it really can do, if you embrace a positive outlook. If you feel anxious about hitting that landmark birthday, I can assure you that there is no need to worry at all. I love it! What do you hope to be doing in your 40s?