Beyoncé Knowles Carter turned 40 this year, and the megastar says this is the best she’s ever felt in her life.
The Houston native posted the open letter to her fans via her website.
“The more mature I become, the more I understand and the deeper my joy grows,” she wrote. “There’s a freedom and liberation knowing that I’ve made it to the other side of my sacrifice. I’m finally giving myself permission to enjoy the seeds I’ve worked so hard to plant my whole life.”
Bey says she’s fully embracing her maturity.
“I’m so grateful to be GROWN, GROWN! Whoever tried to condition women to feel that we are supposed to be old or unhappy when we turn 40 got it ALL THE WAY F’D UP,” she wrote. “This has absolutely been the best I’ve felt in my life.”
She continued: “This is the first year that I really understand what it means to be alive and to live in the moment. It’s the first time that I have an understanding of how fragile life truly is, how hard life can be at times, and therefore how important it is to stop and smell the roses during the good times. I thought I knew that at 21 or 30…but I didn’t.”
Bey then thanks all of her supports. Not only for their kind words, posts and messages — but for playlists created in her honor.
“I’m grateful to everyone involved, especially, the fans, for the time and level of detail it took to organize such beautiful tributes,” she adds. “Most of y’all met me when I was 15, and we have grown up together. You bring soooo much joy into my life. I hope my art can continue to bring a little joy into yours. I Love You Deep Deep Deep Deep Deep.”
