Aging. Getting older. The very words are enough to strike fear in the hearts of women everywhere. We're told to battle it, to fight it every step of the way, to never admit our physical age.

We're told by product advertisements there is a war on aging; we're plied with anti-aging products to attempt to freeze the face that feels most familiar, to stop the hands of time to appear eternally youthful, fresh, alluring, sexy. We're told the alternative is, quite frankly terrifying.

All of it is a complete and utter lie.

I've grown up with the same messaging, that self-policing women do, as we stand on guard for gray hairs, fine lines and comments about our appearance. To hear society tell it, aging is perceived as a sign of weakness and we'd better erase it, dye it, cover it or remove any evidence of its existence. We're told that aging means all hope of sexual prowess, any chance of prosperity, is over.

Am I overstating things? Let she without wrinkle creams and fear of fine lines cast the first stone.

I'm saying all of this to shine a brighter light on aging. As someone who has crossed the Rubicon of 40 and mid-way to that big 5-0, I am suddenly surrounded by kickass women who are living their lives out loud and I've found myself even more inspired by my own aging process. It's actually pretty damned fun.

I don't know if getting older is the best-kept secret ever, but it turns out that, well, it is. Here are 10 things you can look forward to as you move on in years.

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The constant need for likes? That concern over whether this person is talking about you or what that chick down the hall said about you at work? That 'ish is over. People are going to talk. Why not give them something to talk about? Live your life, and let 'em watch.

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If someone had actually told me how incredible orgasms would get as I aged, I would have laughed in their face. As you get older, you have no time for bad lovers or negative sexual experiences and you know your body so much better with age. Learn where your G-spot is, invest in a good vibrator and only have sex with people who turn you on and are invested in your mutual satisfaction. Also, anyone who says there's no sex as you get older is full of it. They pass out condoms in nursing homes. It's around as long as you want it, mama. Get some.

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It occurred to me recently that if I were hit by a bus tomorrow, I would regret not eating more cupcakes and spending time with soul-sucking people. More about that cupcake thing later, but the soul-sucking person thing? Fixed it. Life is too short to spend with people who leech the very essence of your soul from your body. Wish them well, say goodbye. The space and silence is refreshing, trust me.

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Listen, I'm not saying getting older means eating anything with abandon. You've got to get the veggies in and drink plenty of water, sure. But my grandmother had dessert every day before she died. Sometimes I have ice cream for dinner. I eat the salads, I keep my doctor happy by maintaining a heart-healthy body, but cupcake happens and it happens a lot.

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