Sitting in bed wondering ‘What’s Next?’ Been thinking I’ll be 45 years old soon — reaching another milestone and thinking what will be different this time. It seems with every milestone comes a certain of level of maturity (at least we hope).

When I turned 30, it was ‘The world is mine to do whatever I please.’ I was fearless, eager, a homeowner and ‘IN CONTROL.’ (yeah, right) Then it was 35 — I was more ‘focused and even more in CONTROL. Yeah, yeah.

Then there was the big 4-0!! ‘I’m a full grown woman who’s NOT afraid to ask for what she wants and dares anyone to question me?’ And you can’t forget the ‘Forty and fabulous!!’ adage. It was also ‘It’s about me’ AND ‘I WILL NOT take any BS from anybody, especially MEN!’

Now on to 45. Ok, I’ve run out of quirky quotes. But maybe that’s just it — no more quotes, just authenticity. Classy, Simple, Pure, Uncomplicated. Now the phrase ‘Less is more” makes more sense to me.

Does it really take you saying a million times “I’m in control” to exercise control? Or do you just LIVE it?? Do you really have to DEMAND to be respected or do you COMMAND it just by walking in a room? Does it really take the fake eyelashes to accentuate your eyes? (Well, yeah — not ready to give those up)

I think the answer to “What’s Next?” once I turn 45 this year is simple — be more of who I really am and be okay with that.