Actress Katherine Heigl admits she's 'thrilled to be 40' on her birthday, and says there's freedom that comes with age

Hope Schreiber
·Writer
Katherine Heigl turns 40 and admits she’s thrilled to be a little bit older, a little bit wiser. (Photo: Instagram)
Katherine Heigl turns 40 and admits she’s thrilled to be a little bit older, a little bit wiser. (Photo: Instagram)

Katherine Heigl, best known for her work in Knocked Up and Greys Anatomy, admits that turning 40 is a blessing. For the actress, it is a year of being a little bit older and a little bit wiser, especially when it comes to her self-confidence.

While Heigl struggled with pregnancy last year, this birthday proved to be a milestone. For the new Suits star, it is about not dwelling on your youth (which is difficult in her line of work), and how such a milestone is worth celebrating.

“I am officially 40 years old. I know you’re going [to] think I’m full of it but the truth is…I’m pretty damn thrilled to be 40,” she wrote on Instagram. “For one thing, as my mother always says ‘Getting older is better [than] the alternative.'”

View this post on Instagram

Well…I am officially 40 years old. I know you’re going think I’m full of it but the truth is…I’m pretty damn thrilled to be 40. For one thing, as my mother always says “Getting older is better then the alternative.” Too true mother, too true! For another thing 40 feels to me like a certain kind of freedom. Freedom from all the self doubt, insecurities, self loathing, uncertainties and anxieties of my 20’s and 30’s. Not to say I don’t still have those moments but I just feel like 40 makes me older and wiser. Steadier in my convictions. More certain of my strengths. More forgiving of my faults. I’ve spent the last five years of my 30’s doing the work to evolve my mind and spirit. To move my heart towards a more profound and loving expression of my best self. I’ve read, studied, explored and practiced ways to expand my understanding of myself and the world around me. I’ve clarified my deepest desires and found that all I really crave is well being. For myself and those I love. I know there’s a certain stigma attached to 40. I’ve had plenty of well meaning acquaintances and even strangers tell me not to worry I still look great. Or soon you’ll be 50 and then you’ll really feel old. Or youth is so fleeting isn’t it. I guess I kind of feel like it’s all about your frame of mind. And I’ve made up my mind not to let a number determine how I feel about the way I look. Or what my value as a woman in society is. I’ve decided I will let the number and every one after it determine the strides I make, the enlightenment I seek, the compassion I show, the beauty I radiate from within that grows and expands with life experience. I’m a stronger, better, more grounded and courageous woman today and I will do my best to continue to grow so I can say the same thing at 50, 60, 70 and beyond. It doesn’t hurt that I am surrounded by so many inspiring people who love me and support me through this life. Without them…well I’d still be floundering around in uncertainty. Ok, I’m done pontificating now. 😏❤️ #thoseheavenlydays are making every year of your life matter as best you can.

A post shared by Katherine Heigl (@katherineheigl) on Nov 25, 2018 at 9:35am PST

While her 30s were an important time for Heigl to find herself through travel, reading and understanding herself, she feels like her 40s have made her “older and wiser,” two things we should all strive for with age.

“I’ve clarified my deepest desires and found that all I really crave is well being. For myself and those I love,” she wrote, adding that the number of years she has lived on this planet does not define her. “I’ve made up my mind not to let a number determine how I feel about the way I look. Or what my value as a woman in society is. I’ve decided I will let the number and every one after it determine the strides I make, the enlightenment I seek, the compassion I show, the beauty I radiate from within that grows and expands with life experience.”

Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.