Lauren Conrad shares how turning 40 changed her perspective on life and work

Lauren Conrad is embracing her 40s with gratitude, perspective, and a fresh focus on family life.

The reality TV star and fashion designer opened up exclusively to People ahead of the upcoming The Reunion: Laguna Beach special, reflecting on her journey from teen reality star to mother of two.

“I spent my 20s and 30s working so hard, always wanting to do more. Now, I’ve reached a place where I’m just so content,” Conrad, 40, shared.

“I have a really good work-life balance, and I’m just trying to enjoy this moment. My kids are still pretty young, and I want to spend all the time I can with them.”

Conrad shares sons Liam, 8, and Charlie, 6, with husband William Tell, the guitarist for Something Corporate.

The couple, married in 2014, have maintained a relationship built on respect and communication. “I remember early in our dating, I jokingly called him a name, and he said, ‘I don’t name-call. Let’s not do that.’ I was like, ‘Okay, we’re adults,’” she recalled.

Earlier this year, Conrad celebrated her milestone birthday with a “Senior, Senior Prom”-themed party alongside friends born just weeks apart.

“We threw ourselves a prom to celebrate together, and we had the BEST time!” she captioned her Instagram post.

Conrad first captured audiences on MTV’s Laguna Beach, which aired from 2004 to 2006, before continuing on the spin-off The Hills.

While she viewed reality TV as a stepping stone to her fashion career, returning to TV for the reunion special was not without challenges.

“I thought it would be easier, like riding a bike. But I actually had a pretty hard time getting back into it,” she admitted.

Now living back in Laguna Beach to raise her family and continue her fashion line for Kohl’s, Conrad says she feels “very settled and happy.”

The Reunion: Laguna Beach premieres on Roku on April 10. For more insights from Conrad, the new issue of PEOPLE is on stands now.