My trip to Las Vegas to celebrate my 40th birthday was a victory lap, not a midlife crisis

I celebrated my 40th birthday in Las Vegas with friends and had a wonderful time entering the newest decade of my life.

Michelle Stansbury

• I celebrated my 40th birthday by going to Las Vegas with friends and was nervous it'd be exhausting.
• Instead of partying like I was 21, I embraced a relaxing trip with activities I was excited about.
• The trip wasn't about clinging to my youth — it was about celebrating just how far I'd come.

When I first began planning...