The Dreaded “middle Age Crisis “
Perhaps you have heard a person describe someone’s behavior as the result of a “middle age crisis”. Or maybe it’s you who are feeling anxious and uneasy about an upcoming birthday. Maybe you are afraid of getting old or of no longer being young. Or both at the same time.
The truth is that the overwhelming majority of all women and even men suffer from the so-called “middle age crisis”. When it comes to women, this is due to the fact that they are starting to enter menopause and the symptoms that this includes, which are as much physical as psychological.
The “middle age crisis” does not appear on the specific date when you blow out your 40 candles, but tends to develop a little before or before. You may begin to analyze what you have done up to this point and what problems you have not solved. In some cases, the concept of rest and retirement may be in your mind (even though it is then two decades to retirement for the majority of all Westerners).
Characteristics of the “middle age crisis”
Experts say that there are two types of crises related to age. One of them is evolutionary and has to do with seeing how old we are and our biological changes. The second depends on the circumstances and is motivated by changes in our environment that also affect us personally. The middle-age crisis is included in the first group.
Entering the fifth decade of life can cause feelings of depression and anxiety in some people; especially due to pressure from the environment and family when one reaches a certain age. For example, if a person has not married or had children, has not gotten a good job or has not bought a house, studies have shown that he or she is at greater risk of suffering from a middle-aged crisis.
The reasons for a middle-aged crisis can be many, but the most common are: uncertainty, too much responsibility, routines, conflicts with one’s partner, realizing mistakes, boredom, lack of clear goals, etc.
A new perspective
Without a doubt, one of the most important signs of the middle-age crisis is a desire to be “young” again. This results in a search for experiences, to do things that one was not eager to do or could not do before for various reasons, to dress youthfully, to go to bars or nightclubs, etc.
This new attitude towards life can act as an alarm clock; a motivation that takes us away from the usual routine and enriches our lives. But it can also trigger a lot of nostalgia that paralyzes us and makes us daydream about what has been, and forget that we have mountains of things to do.
Healthy nostalgia and reflection on the past is something good and involves an accepting attitude towards what has been, without anger and powerlessness. It does not mean abandoning the present or the future to reflect on the past. This can actually be a great opportunity in a person’s life to do this kind of reflection. It can help the person move forward with the wisdom he or she has accumulated until now.
So what are the specific ways to confront this “crisis” with a healthy attitude ?
1. Have a positive attitude. It does not matter that you are “older” now; remember that age brings experience, anecdotes and knowledge. You still have many years ahead of you, and it is not worth going through them suffering.
2. Enjoy it. The experiences of having grown up and lived through many problems make you even more interesting and prepared for what is to come. You will have more self-control, you will know the consequences of your actions and you will probably be more self-aware. Remember that the best time is here and now. Do not associate youth with happiness. There is happiness and wholeness in every stage of life.
3. Reflect. You can say that you are in the middle of life. It is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on what you have already accomplished and also on the future as there is still plenty of time. Whatever changes you want to make from this point on, you will be able to evaluate and analyze them in greater detail.
