How to restart your life before 40

So the big 40 is around the corner. Feels like just yesterday you were 21, graduating college or starting that first job and ready to take on the world! Yet here you are almost twenty years later, not living the life you thought you would. Maybe you live alone or are just lonely, maybe you have the family and the job you wanted but still feel unaccomplished or unhappy. Whether you are starting over, living in a rut, or just haven't put it all together just yet, here are 10 ways to restart or fast track your life before the big birthday comes around.

1. Start taking better care of yourself. Eat well, exercise, get enough sleep, improve your skin-care routine, hydrate. The better you look and feel, the more age will feel like a number.

2. Start an exercise routine that you can stick with and commit to it. Start with five or ten minutes a day, doing something you enjoy. Just move and keep moving more than you use to. Consider walking, riding, skipping or just playing a bit more.

3. Set realistic and measurable goals and work towards them. Set review timelines and involve a family member or friend that can keep you accountable.

4. Do something from your bucket list. Travel to somewhere you've never been but always wanted to go, sit that course you've wanted to do, meet new people, reconnect with old friends and family.

5. Stop complaining. There is no way to regain lost years. Stop looking back and make a deliberate plan for moving forward. Even if you had not been making the best use of your time, consider that it took those years to embrace the joy of living and create a workable growth plan.

6. Start volunteering. If you have nothing else, you have experiences that someone can benefit from. Consider a youth club, community programs or church. You think less about yourself when you serve others.

7. Start the day with thirty minutes geared at achieving mental and spiritual growth and wellness. Pray, meditate, read a few pages from a self-help book or any motivational literature or videos.

8. Stay positive. A positive life will not grow out of a mind filled with negative thoughts. Rid your life of negative thoughts and people. Start building the habit of thinking and living positively. Watch inspirational videos, follow inspirational people online, keep friends with a positive outlook.

9. Be present in your life. Enjoy the journey. As long as you keep moving in a positive direction, you will see growth. Stop comparing yourself to others. We each have our journey and process. As long as you are doing the best you can and working towards your goals, you are right where you need to be.

10. Offer Forgiveness. The weight of hurt, disappointment and grudges can hold our lives down. Don't be burdened by people who wronged you. Release the mistakes you made along the way. Forgive yourself, forgive others and free yourself.

Be deliberate and unapologetic about finding inner peace, happiness and fulfilment!