When you think about a midlife crisis, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? For many, it might be the old stereotype of buying a vintage convertible or getting plastic surgery to look younger.
There comes a point in your life—in your late 40s or 50s—where you might start to really think about your life and your mortality. Such an existential crisis will have you questioning your purpose or wondering if your life means anything.
So, are you dealing with such a crisis? Or are you just going through a normal transition at this phase in your life?
Let’s go over a few “survival” tips you can use to get through this transition period of your life. When you choose to embrace the transition and work through it, it just might feel like less of a crisis.
Don’t Think The Worst About Your Health
One of the best things you can do as you start to get older is to be grateful for every breath you take. If you feel good and you don’t have any serious physical ailments, you’re actually doing really well.
With that being said, you don’t need to take every little ache, pain, cough, or cold so seriously. Just because you reach a certain age doesn’t mean you’ll start to experience fatal illnesses. If something seems serious, talk to your doctor about it. But stay away from researching all of your “symptoms” online, and take comfort in feeling good on a daily basis.
Making Elaborate Purchases
We’ve all seen the movies where a man in his 50s goes out and buys a fancy car or a brand new house. If you feel like you’re having an existential crisis, spending all the money in the world isn’t going to boost your sense of self-worth. It certainly isn’t going to tell you what your purpose is.
Reaching a certain age doesn’t mean you need to spend a lot of money or buy “toys” that make you feel important. It also doesn’t mean you need to change the way you look.
In fact, these impulsive behaviors can actually be dangerous and lead to other things, like alcohol or drug use.
It’s Okay to Have Fun
It’s a good idea to go out and have fun sometimes. Spend time with your friends doing things you love. Doing so can help you to feel young and vibrant. For a moment, you might even forget about the whole “midlife crisis” dilemma. You’re never too old to have fun!
Again, reaching a certain age doesn’t mean you need to give up the things you’ve been enjoying for years. Just make sure you’re not changing who you are in the process. The most important people in your life love the person you already are. Spending time with those people can be a great reminder of that.
Time Will Make It Better
If you do find yourself questioning your worth or your place in the world, you’re not alone. One of the reasons midlife issues are so widely portrayed is because many people do struggle with them.
If you can stay the course through this transition, it will get better. One thing that can help is therapy. If you’re struggling, talking to a professional can help. Through therapy, you can learn how to navigate the next chapter of your life comfortably and with confidence.
—
Struggling to understand your place and your purpose? You don’t have to go through this new stage alone, and you don’t have to change who you are. Feel free to contact me today to learn more ways to handle a midlife transition.