What Is A Midlife Crisis
A Midlife crisis or midlife transition are actually a totally normal phase in life. Different traditions and thought leaders have their own ways of looking at it, but let's break it down into something relatable.
Think of it as your second shot at adolescence.
You start as a baby, become a kid, and then, boom! You hit another phase of transformation and change, not just mentally but also physiologically. Remember when you transitioned from being a kid to an adult? That's a big one, taking place over those awkward years between 10-12 to 18-21 (give or take).
Your body's doing its thing, hormones are running wild, and you're experimenting with who you want to be. You might try on different roles, like wanting to be like your parents, then realizing maybe that's not your jam. It's all a journey of self-discovery.
Back then, it was alright because everyone knew you were just a teenager, testing the waters, making mistakes – it was part of growing up. You had your parents, teachers, and other adults to guide you. You couldn't really mess things up too badly unless you tried really hard.
Fast forward to your adult years. You've got more power, independence, and maybe a family, career, and mortgage to juggle. Expectations from society and your own little world are piling up, and you're stuck in a mold, a persona you've created for yourself. You try to fit in as long as it works, but there comes a point where it just doesn't cut it anymore.
It can creep up on you. You feel something's off, but you're too caught up in family, work, and life to notice. Until one day, it hits you: this can't be your life for the next few decades. Something inside you wants to break free, but here's the kicker – now, you can actually mess things up big time.
Ever been in that situation? You've built a promising career, a seemingly perfect life, and now you're tempted to throw it all away. People are asking, "Why wreck a good thing?" You've done everything right so far, and the world's your oyster. Why mess it up now? But this is where things get interesting.
This phase, roughly between 35 and 45 years old, is when you realize you've spent much of your life doing things for everyone else but yourself. Maybe it was for your parents, society, money, or just convenience. You followed a path that seemed logical, but now you're wondering if it's really your path.
The stakes are higher because you can lose a lot – your success, your reputation, your security. Your ego screams, "I've worked so hard for this! Why let it go?" But here's the truth: many people reach this point and feel like they've been living on autopilot, not pursuing their true purpose.
Now, you have the capacity, independence, and freedom to make a change. It's scary as heck because everyone's asking, "What on earth are you doing?" But deep down, you know you don't have forever. That's the driving force. Psychological research backs this up – you realize you might have another 40 or 50 years to live, and you don't want to spend half of that unfulfilled and purposeless.
So, don't wait until you're old to chase your dreams. Life's too short to miss out on what truly matters to you.