Wow, this post gives me perspective.

I'm 53 this year, and I welcome the next few years ahead as I look forward to retirement. (I hope it's as good as I think it will be.) I don't recall ever feeling anxiety about an upcoming birthday. I guess I'd credit that to:

- A long-game mindset, mostly. Max out your retirement plan, save in tax-advantaged ways. You'll love to project your balances thinking forward. (You won't dread the years ahead.)

- Come to grips with your mortality. There are a lot of ways to do this, mine mostly has to do with religion. Find some way that works for you. Don't be afraid of death, learn to accept it.

- Find a good partner to age with. Go for a 'keeper' marriage and put in the proper maintenance.

Good luck!