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About 40 and Giving Zero F’s

Essays on confidence, becoming yourself, and not putting your life on hold.

Welcome—I’m Amanda.

I’m a wife, a mom of two girls, and a lover of good wine, meaningful travel, and honest conversations.

I started 40 and Giving Zero F’s because somewhere between building a life, raising kids, and doing all the “responsible adult” things, I realized something: too many women are quietly putting their real lives on hold.

Waiting to be thinner.
Waiting for more time.
Waiting for permission.

I did that for years. And I’m done.

This Substack is where I write about learning to enjoy life, rethink what actually matters, and stop worrying about the things that keep us small—whether that means pushing myself outside my comfort zone, embracing it, or just deciding I don’t care about something anymore.

You’ll find essays about:

• Confidence in midlife and not putting your life on hold

• Motherhood, growth, and raising daughters who already know their worth (my 10-year-old often says “I know” when I tell her she’s pretty—and I want her to hold onto that forever)

• Travel, girls’ trips, mom friendships, and living in the moment

• Letting go of perfection, people-pleasing, and the idea that you have to “earn” joy

• And yes… bras (sometimes going braless), selfies, my love-hate relationship with shorts, wine, and all the beautifully human stuff in between

This isn’t about reinvention for the sake of reinvention.

It’s about remembering yourself.

So whether you’re 40, coming up on 40, or 40 is already in your rearview, if you feel that quiet tug that says there has to be more than just getting through the days—you’re in the right place.

I write weekly. I write honestly. And I write for women who are done waiting.

Life is short.

Open the bottle.

There are no rules here.

— Amanda

Start Here

New to 40 and Giving Zero F’s? If you’re wondering what this space is really about, these reader favorites are a great place to begin:

• “Saying Yes” — About starting before you feel ready, and what changes when you stop waiting for permission.

• “Life Is Short. Open the Bottle.” — On not waiting for the perfect moment to start living.

• “Don’t Put Your Life on Hold.” — A reminder that the version of you you’re waiting to become may already be here.

If one of these makes you think, “Oh… this is exactly what I’ve been feeling,” you belong here.

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