Share this Story : PNI Atlantic News Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr

COLIN MACLEAN: I’m 40, now what?  

By the time this column is published, I will have celebrated my 40th birthday.

Subscribe now to access this story and more:

Unlimited access to the website and app

Exclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcasts

Full access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on

Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists

Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists

Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.

Unlimited access to the website and app

Exclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcasts

Full access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on

Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists

Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists

Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.

Access additional stories every month

Share your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting community

Get email updates from your favourite authors

Sign In or Create an Account

My apologies to anyone reading this who has memories of me as a child – this must come as a shock to you.

I’m still trying to figure out how I feel about it myself.

By the time we hit our early 30s or so, we’re pretty well formed as human beings in terms of who we are going to be for the rest of our lives. That’s not to say we won’t change, it’s just that most of us have a pretty good idea of what we’re about by that point.

So, when I wake up on the morning of my birthday, I will be the same person I have been for a long time already. I don’t expect my 40s to be all that different from my 30s.

It’s just another day. Another opportunity to live the peaceful life I’ve built with the people I love, in the place I call home. That’s nothing to sniff at, especially in light of recent world events.

On the other hand, there is undeniably a little alarm bell going off in a dim corner of my mind that’s getting louder all the time.

“Middle age,” it’s saying, “Pull yourself together, man.”

I suppose a midlife crisis is the traditional outlet for such worries.

But I can’t go out and make a frivolous, life-changing purchase in an attempt to convince myself of my own continuing vitality. In this economy? Working in the newspaper business? Not likely.

So, I suppose I will have to find something else to consume my next couple of years – at least until I come to terms with having more road behind me than in front of me.

If I’m looking for someone to emulate at such a moment, I could do far worse than my father.

When he hit middle age, he decided to start taking his health and finances more seriously and just went out and did both. I’ve always respected him for that.

Dad spent his career working in enclosed spaces, without so much as a window to see the sun. So, he set himself a goal of early retirement, which he did, and he’s spent as much time as possible under the open sky ever since.

He also changed his diet pretty significantly and got really into cycling.

His bike became a constant in our lives. It was like a member of the family and came with us everywhere. Most weekends, Mom and I would just drop him off somewhere along the Confederation Trail and go off and do our own thing. We’d find him hours later at some crossroads.

He managed to find constructive outlets for the alarm bells in his head. We should all be so lucky.

Anyway, I’m sure I’ll figure something out. Maybe I’ll get a tattoo and call it a day.

Writing about it will help. Or give me a complex.

In the meantime, I’m just going to milk my birthday for all it’s worth as an excuse to drink good whiskey, eat good food and spend time with people who matter to me.

Colin MacLean is the assistant managing editor at the Journal Pioneer in Summerside. He can be reached at cmaclean@postmedia.com and followed on X @JournalPMacLean.

Rip them off: Halifax council orders developer to remove two illegal floors in Dartmouth Halifax

Rip them off: Halifax council orders developer to remove two illegal floors in Dartmouth

Advertisement 1Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.document.addEventListener(`DOMContentLoaded`,function(){let template=document.getElementById(`oop-ad-template`);if(template&&!template.dataset.adInjected){let clone=template.content.cloneNode(!0);template.replaceWith(clone),template.parentElement&&(template.parentElement.dataset.adInjected=`true`)}});

Medical ring-removal device invented by Nova Scotians gets a supporting role in HBO Max's The Pitt Halifax Business

Medical ring-removal device invented by Nova Scotians gets a supporting role in HBO Max's The Pitt

La Cucina owner still looking for reasons why lease wasn't renewed for popular Dartmouth Crossing restaurant Halifax Business

La Cucina owner still looking for reasons why lease wasn't renewed for popular Dartmouth Crossing restaurant

Massive N.L. mine could meet a quarter of Eastern Canada's winter salt needs Newfoundland & Labrador

Massive N.L. mine could meet a quarter of Eastern Canada's winter salt needs

Woman who stole Halifax fire truck pleads guilty to four charges Halifax

Woman who stole Halifax fire truck pleads guilty to four charges

Share this Story : PNI Atlantic News Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr

Endy's first Toronto warehouse sale offers up to 60 per cent off mattresses and more Take advantage of limited-time deals from March 12 - 15 13 minutes ago Deals

Endy's first Toronto warehouse sale offers up to 60 per cent off mattresses and more

Take advantage of limited-time deals from March 12 - 15

Advertisement 2Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.document.addEventListener(`DOMContentLoaded`,function(){let template=document.getElementById(`oop-ad-template`);if(template&&!template.dataset.adInjected){let clone=template.content.cloneNode(!0);template.replaceWith(clone),template.parentElement&&(template.parentElement.dataset.adInjected=`true`)}});

Is the Thuma Classic Bed worth it? Testing the bed frame made from upcycled wood I love this bed frame and that it’s GREENGUARD Gold certified 27 minutes ago Sleep

Is the Thuma Classic Bed worth it? Testing the bed frame made from upcycled wood

I love this bed frame and that it’s GREENGUARD Gold certified

Every major comedy tour coming to Ontario in 2026 — and where to get tickets Featuring Mat Rife, Nate Bargatze and Darcy & Jer, plus more comedians touring Ontario this year 19 hours ago Entertainment

Every major comedy tour coming to Ontario in 2026 — and where to get tickets

Featuring Mat Rife, Nate Bargatze and Darcy & Jer, plus more comedians touring Ontario this year

Planning a staycation? These stylish hotels are an easy weekend getaway from Toronto From all-inclusive packages to hip motels, these local spots deliver unique experiences just outside the city 20 hours ago Travel

Planning a staycation? These stylish hotels are an easy weekend getaway from Toronto

From all-inclusive packages to hip motels, these local spots deliver unique experiences just outside the city

Best mattresses in Canada: Our top picks for every sleep style A complete guide to buying a mattress online 20 hours ago Sleep

Best mattresses in Canada: Our top picks for every sleep style

A complete guide to buying a mattress online

© PNI Atlantic news