Still 39. Small consolation. Felt low for an entire week thinking about the turn of the decade and almost crawled into a hole thinking intensely negative thoughts of the kind that make one take a blade to one’s wrists and make sure the edge isnt blunt, and you have enough towels to mop up the mess, rather risking staining the handmade tiles…you know.
Today, am back to sanity. It is, after all just another number. I feel in my mid twenties. I dont know about how my face is defining my age, thats for the others around me to say, but I’m yet unbotoxed, unlifted, unpeeled. Thats the skin and the body I am. And I’m darned proud of it. If I look into the mirror and wince at my reflection, I might go out and get myself ‘done’, but I dont see that day coming for a while. And of course, I think of what happened to Koena Mitra and would rather sit tight on my spreading butt.
So I’ve decided. I need to count my blessings today. And think of what all I have done in my life to make me proud of myself.
I have a lovely son, a spouse who loves me in the most uncommunicative way, a mother who adores me and thinks the sun still shines out of my spreading butt.
I have a team of friends who work with me on India Helps and are willing to give time, energy and of themselves to make this an effort that is truly commendable.
I have a warm and inviting home that is my refuge and my strength.
I have a body that is cared for, fit and active. And a mind that refuses to stay still and not think up new things I could take up.
I have tons of friends who call me and are concerned about me, and take time out to meet me.
And I have the rest of my life ahead of me……
Happy birthday to me. Age is just a number. Yes, truly. And I shall now refuse to define myself by my age.
About Kiran Manral
Kiran Manral is a writer and major social media influencer. After quitting her full-time journalist’s job when her son was born, Kiran became a mommy blogger on the internet, with a remarkably original voice. She was a journalist at The Asian Age, The Times of India, features editor Cosmopolitan, India Cultural Lead and Trend spotter at Gartner Iconoculture US, Senior Consultant at Vector Insights, Ideas Editor, SheThePeople.TV. Kiran is currently a celebrated author and an independent research and media consultant.
She was shortlisted for the Femina Women Awards for Literary Contribution in 2017. The Indian Council of UN Relations (ICUNR) supported by the Ministry of Women and Children, Govt of India, awarded her the International Women’s Day Award 2018 for excellence in the field of writing. In 2021 she was awarded the Womennovator 1000 Women of Asia award. In 2022, she was named amongst the 75 Iconic Indian women in STEAM by Red Dot Foundation and Beyond Black, in collaboration with the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor, Government of India, and British High Commission, New Delhi.
Her novella, Saving Maya, was long-listed for the 2018 Saboteur Award, supported by the Arts Council of England in the UK. Her novels 'The Face At the Window’ and ‘Missing, Presumed Dead were both long-listed for Jio MAMI Word to Screen, and ‘The Face at the Window’ was showcased at the South Asian Film Festival 2019. The Kitty Party Murder was shortlisted for the Popular Choice award at the 2021 JK Papers TOI AutHER awards.
Her other books include The Reluctant Detective, Once Upon A Crush, All Aboard, Karmic Kids-The Story of Parenting Nobody Told You, A Boy’s Guide to Growing Up, True Love Stories, 13 Steps to Bloody Good Parenting, Raising Kids with Hope and Wonder in Times of a Pandemic and Climate Change, More Things in Heaven and Earth and Rising: 30 Women Who Changed India. She also has published short stories in various magazines, in acclaimed anthologies like Have A Safe Journey, Boo, The Best Asian Speculative Fiction 2018, Grandpa’s Tales, Magical Women and City of Screams. Kiran lives in Mumbai with her family.
Social media handles
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KiranManral
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kiranmanral/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KiranManralAuthorPage
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiranmanral/
Fortytwoandcounting 
Happy birthday!!!!!You are right, 40 is just a number!You rock!
Thank you akka….
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Happy Birthday, Kiran 🙂 That’s a lovely list of people and things to have earned before 40!
You’re one of the most vivacious personalities around blogosphere. If not for the URL, nobody would know your age! And I don’t mean there’s anything bad about being 39.. it IS just a number.
LOL. Yup, 39 is just a number….thank you for those lovely words..
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Wish you a very Happy Birthday 🙂
Thank you so much Karthik!
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And you have me who hasn’t met you yet , but thinks the world of you!
Happy Birthday Kiran , you’re awesome.
Here’s wishing you lots and lots of happiness and many more beautiful years to come..
Awww, thank you so much…
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happy birthday kiran. pl let me tell you that is is more difficult to turm 30 and 40 than 50. so they say. it was true for me. im 50 plus and found myself more accepting and comfortable about myself after the big five oh! i love that you are counting your blessings. good luck and may the rest of your life be even more fulfilling and happy. more power to you!
Thank you Anna, will take your words to heart…the best is yet to come.
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Wish you a great year ahead Kiran!
A very happy birthday! 🙂
Thank you so much Rani!
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Wish you a Very Happy Birthday Kiran!
Thank you Homecooked!
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Happy Birthday! 40s is the new 30s!
Thank you Tara…
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Happy birthday kiran 🙂 .. here’s wishing that ur list of things to be thankful for n happy about keep increasing manyfolds.
Thank you so much Shruti!
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Happy Birthday!
Thanks Banno!
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Happy birthday!
Thank you so much.
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You don’t sound like a 40 y.o :)… Happy Birthday Kiran
Psst, tell me quick, what do 40 year olds sound like…. LOL. Thank you Batul!
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Happy Birthday!
Wishing you youth and health always!
Thank you so much Aathira…
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If you’re turning 40, then the 40s are the age to be. Yes maam, you rock. Happy birthday 🙂
Thank you Meira…
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Happy happy birthday!! 🙂
Thank you Asha!
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Happy Birthday, Kiran! The 40s certainly rock, so don’t you worry. Wishing you good health and all the books, bags and baubles (and shoes) your heart desires.
LOL, thank you…am certainly starting on the bag shopping today…
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Happy Birthday Kiran! way to go girl…you truly rock and dont bother about something that is defined by numbers….you are young at heart…thats the spirit 🙂
Enjoy your day !
Thank you so much Rupa..
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Happy Birthday Kiran. Tum jeeyo hazaaron saal, saal ke din ho pachaas hazaaar 😀
Awww, thanks Shilpa.
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When I read this post, I was instantly flooded by memories of an episode from FRIENDS where in all of them recall; how each one of them reacted when they turned 30. Here you are lady, lucky that you are getting similar thoughts when you turn 40.You are still young at heart(from your written word is all i can guess). So keep the numbers at bay and do what you do the best.
WRITE,BLOG,LIVE life to its fullest.
Happy birthday to a lady who owns such a wonderful blog.
Thank you so much for those lovely words Mukul…
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And even if you did feel defined by your age — 39 rocks! Or so the ex-39ers tell me. 😉
Sue, you give me hope…
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Birthday Wishes frm a 40 plus lady..:D
Thank you Shilpa….
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happy birthday kiran 🙂 i hope you have a truly wonderful year ahead
Thank you so much Divya…
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Hey Kiran,
wishing you happy birthday here too 🙂
Yours truly,
the shameless delurker from twitter 😀
Thank you Deepti, and why shameless, I love that you’ve delurked…
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Many happy returns of the day Kiran 🙂
40 rocks…It really does, I know I was 40 once 🙂
LOL. I intend to rock and roll through my 40s too!
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There you go. 🙂
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Happy Birthday! From the perspective of someone who turned 40 last year – life is fine! and no different really from what it was at 24 or 29 or even 39!
M
I’m going to take your word for it, am slowly getting myself used to fact that it is 39 over with. 40 underway now.
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That’s my girl! Have a wonderful birthday and a great year ahead.
Thanks doosi naani!
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Happy Birthday!
Thank you Ceeann!
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Happy Birthday Kiran !
Thank you CA
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Agree with the above commenter about 30 being the bigger shock. 🙂
You are in the prime of life so here’s to a great year ahead!
Happy Birthday to you Kiran! Keep writing…
Thank you so much Gigi
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Happy Bday Kiran! I hope you had a lovely day and you shd be damn proud of yourself for raising such a lovely boy 🙂 I love his antics!!
Thank you Doli. My boy makes me proud every single day.
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Happy Birthday Birthday Gal! Rock it on!!
Thanks Kenny, how you doing girl?
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Happy Birthday!!!
You rock!!! You are awesome:)
Lovely post – have a great year ahead!
Thank you so much!
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I just wished a happy birthday & it dint get published..anything wrong with a simple wish?
Err, surely you didnt expect me to be sitting at the comp, moderating comments on my birthday evening? But, thank you once again for your wishes…
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Awwww, giver her a break Shilpa! She must have been busy – was her budday night! Might have been out celebrating 😉
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Wish you a very belated happy birthday :):) sorry for the late comment!! Just curious..did you get your list of stuff you wanted for the bday ???
Nope but I got a lot of stuff that I still liked…..
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LOL! Kiran- I thought on your b’day we are supposed to pamper you! it’s happening the other way around – Shilpa???
Happy Birthday again Kiran!!
Thanks for the wishes Itchy!
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Happy b’day Kiran! Here’s wishing you health, happiness and good people!
ps : It’s a joy to read your blog 🙂
Thank you so much…
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Kiran,
Wish you a fantabulous birthday.May the dawn of this new decade shower you with joy, success , good health. Love and Hugs to Krish..
Thank you so much Ramya!
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A little late I know.. Still, wishing you lovely, healthy years ahead:) Hopped in from your Karmickids space..
Thank you Vidya
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Happy budday to the coolest 40th year woman I know!
Awww, thankee.
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Belated bday wishes Kiran..the wishes may be belated but very sincere….
Thank you Timepass.
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lets take it off from the blog url and the title first kiran..heres wishing you a wonderful day and future ahead 🙂
If you look closely dear, the blog’s title has been 39 and counting for a while now. Cant change the URL… Alas
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Very Happy Birthday!
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@Kiran..We have 8.30 hrs timezone diff. so when comment took real long..just asked..outta plain curiosity..nuthing else…!
@itchingtowrite..thanx for paying attention to my comment..:)
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Belated budday wishes K darling! Skidding in to register my wishes 😀
I know you will rock the 40s. Go girl!!
Thanks Behenaaa!
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Normally we leave comments and forget about them. How does it matter when she uploaded the comment,Shipa ?It was K’s birthday so maybe she had other things to do rather than sit at home and check out her blog ?
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Happy Birthday Kiran!! Wishing you the best!
Thank you Mads!
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Happy b’day Kiran. Have a lovely day and a spectacular year. You have many of us in the same boat keeping you company 🙂
Thank you Sands!
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Haaappeeeeeee buddday, Kiran!! Rock the 40s.
I’ll be turning 30 in a few months, and am not so sure I’m bothered by it. It just give incentive to yell “I’m 30, and wiser than you!” at anyone who’s even a day younger than me. (Let’s not burst my bubble here, shall we?)
Cheers!
Thirty…you have a lifetime ahead of you…… *runs away quick*
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…it just gives me incentive, I meant. Typos, argh!
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Happy birthday to you…
Happy birthday to you…
Happy birthday dear Kiran
Happy birthday to you…
I am singing loudly here…can you hear me?
Have a wonderful year ahead! You are 40??!!! You got to be kidding now!
LOL, thank you for the singing, and the wishes…
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Hey Kiran,
Wishing you a wonderful birthday.. after all Life begins at 40..
Heres to more pearls of wisdom from you 🙂
Thank you, and gah…I dont think I could pretend to have any pearls of wisdom…
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happy birthday lady!
this one is for you! http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-lady-who-thinks-she-is-thirty/
Thank you so much…
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happy birthday to you.
Thank you.
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come on Kiran.
40s is the new 30s. Ask Demi Moore and the hot new mom’s on Page 3. It is just a number.
(bites nails nervously..) its not very far off for me too
I think we need to make the 40s the new 20s…
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Hi Kiran,
Belated birthday wishes. I am sure you had a fabulous time with your family on your birthday. Please tell me ,40 is new twenty right?. I will be watching this space for all the advise and wisdom . Just kidding. I enjoy reading this blog . Going thru a journey in life just like yours. Never knew that we can relate to somebody so well without meeting them. The blogging world has made it possible.
Give my hugs to your little guy.
CS
Thank you so much….
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Happy Birthday Kiran!!!!!!! You still look fabulous girl with your Dimple Kapadia hair!! And you have us too – add to your list – your devoted fans :))
Awww. thank you.
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You will be turning 50 and more in a blink. So spare the despair for then 🙂
– From a 36 something who still feels like a 20 something
🙂 LOL. I can be totally relaxed by 50 if I finish with the despair now…
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Belated happy birthday girl (Yup!..age is just a number:D) !!!!!!! 🙂
Have nothing more to say,, Loved this blog.
Honoured.. and thank you…
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Belated happy b’day Kiran.
Love your blog
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