40 over 40: Halle Simpson

All through school, sports and extracurriculars, I was the only Halle I had ever met. From a young age, I learned to introduce myself with spelling instructions. 

Them: What’s your name?

Me (at 4): Halle, H - A - L - L - E.  

After all that, it was still misspelled and usually mispronounced.

I liked that my name was mine and I didn’t have to share it with anyone, like Jennifer or Sarah did. But in other areas, I wanted what others had. The name brand clothes, to be in the cool crowd, and the family vacations to Florida and Disney.  

I felt different through many stages of life. 

• My first (awkward and terrible) kiss didn’t come until college. 

• I waited even longer for my first boyfriend. 

• My career with Mary Kay Cosmetics invited stereotypes and comments like, “at least you have your Biology degree to fall back on.”

• And the decade of declining friends’ wedding and baby showers because I was painfully jealous those things weren’t happening in my life

When I turned “one year before 40” it was clear my life was nowhere close to what I had once dreamed. But tired of putting myself down, I realized different doesn’t have to be “bad”. What if it could be “good”? 

Not tied down by kids, a spouse or climbing the corporate ladder, I pushed aside the pull to wallow and leapt in a more empowered direction. 

I got a dog, gave up the pink Caddy, began an entirely new career but most importantly…started acting like the best friend I needed in my life. 

I chose to lean in and whole heartedly embrace the opportunity that came with my difference. 

Now instead of comparing myself to others, you might hear me say, “I’m good at other things.” Because we’re not supposed to be good at the same stuff. Our world is beautiful because of the variety of gifts, perspectives and imprints we uniquely contribute. 

My 40s continue teaching me not to measure my value against others. I am worthy because I am here. 

My difference is God given, it’s perfectly me and that shit is pretty cool!