Nelly Furtado in a white top smiling over her shoulder

I've suddenly become excited about my 40s thanks to Nelly Furtado

The I'm Like a Bird musician appeared on the Call Her Daddy podcast, singing the praises of midlife

Wellness Editor

November 20, 2024Nov 20, 2024, 12:19 PM GMT

This Friday I turn 35, an age which has always felt like a milestone, despite being arbitrary.

Working on HELLO!'s Second Act content, I speak to inspiring women in midlife every day, with each of them sharing motivational stories of living their best lives in perimenopause and beyond. Yet still, 35 felt daunting.

However, midlife reassurance came from an unlikely source this week, while I was listening to Alex Cooper's Call Her Daddy podcast. Iconic singer Nelly Furtado was the latest guest, and at 45, she reframed midlife in the best way.

Nelly Furtado pouting in a tracksuit on the Call Her Daddy podcast — Nelly Furtado shared the positives of midlife

"I'll be 46 soon and it's a new beginning for me," the Maneater singer said, adding: "It's a very fun time in my life."

Sharing the positive side of midlife, Nelly continued: "I feel most confident now, I had the forties glow-up. I just feel like me, I had time to work on my inner life, the things you don't have time to do when you're busy, like journaling and go to therapy."

Confidence in midlife

Nelly, who is a mother to 21-year-old Nevis Gahunia, says she's discovered a newfound confidence since hitting her forties, adding: "I feel super happy with myself, even when I get criticised," sharing that she can let other people's opinions of her fade into the background.

"You know yourself [in your forties], even my thirties seem a lifetime ago," she added.

Nelly Furtado pouting on a velvet sofa — Nelly Furtado spoke openly about confidence in midlife

Fellow midlife powerhouse Anna Richards agrees with Nelly's point of view on midlife confidence, telling HELLO!: "I worry less about what people think.

"I am far more relaxed knowing that people will always judge and comment, but equally many more will be supportive. I am more in tune with believing we are only here for a short time, so make it count and enjoy the journey."

READ: 7 genuine reasons my fifties are my best decade yet

Even Victoria Beckham echoed the sentiments of freedom in midlife, saying: "I woke up at 50, and I gave a s**t less."

Close up of Victoria Beckham — Victoria Beckham has quit people pleasing

HELLO!'s Second Act columnist Rosie Green agreed, noting that in midlife, "you've got to the age and stage where you are rejecting people pleasing and perfectionism. I'm here too and it's excellent."

While I've not approached 50 just yet, 40 does feel just around the corner, and I'll be following Nelly, Rosie and Victoria's lead, with Rosie's advice fresh in my mind: "People's response to you will often come from their own life experiences. They see you through their prism, and this means sometimes they get it wrong. It's not up to you to change their perception.

"It truly is one of the gifts of getting older that you get much more comfortable with who you are. And that's well worth the crow's feet and creaky knees. "

Love midlife? Join Second Act today!

blonde woman in a pink jumper holding her head — Say HELLO! to your Second Act

HELLO! originally launched its Second Act hub to reframe midlife and beyond as a celebratory, exciting new chapter full of endless possibilities. From inspirational tales of women who refuse to fade into the background, to valuable advice on navigating relationships, finances and health issues – we've featured them all. And such has been the overwhelmingly positive response from readers, we are now turning the hub into a FULL and FREE community where women like you can come together to shape something truly inspiring.

The cornerstones of the community will be two brand new newsletters. One monthly and one weekly. We are really excited about the monthly newsletter which will be themed and written by one of our roster of leading Second Act voices, including our editor at large, Rosie Green. The content will be reserved exclusively for Second Act subscribers.

We are also launching a monthly mentoring series, in the form of a five-minute video sent directly to your inbox featuring financial professionals, hormone specialists, life coaches and more. Again, it will be reserved exclusively for subscribers.

Below we have listed the inaugural benefits, and more will be added as we grow and shape the community. If you wish to help us shape our community, please take part in our one-slide survey here.