Author: Mary Shannon
Reviewed By: Maria Alfano-Huggins
So what is a midlife crisis anyways and why do you need to inspire yourself? There are several stages of a midlife crisis that you may not even recognize as being one.
Denial – this can’t be happening to me…am I really getting older
Anger – feeling frustrated by the changes brought about by aging
Replay – the need to return to youthful days…sometimes aggressively through cosmetic surgery
Depression – sadness that replay is not possible
Withdrawal – distancing oneself while coping with depression
Acceptance – acknowledging that aging is a part of life
The concept of a midlife crisis often sounds like a myth – right up until you experience it for yourself! Then comes this sudden realization that you might not have accomplished everything you wished to do. It could also be that you no longer feel the excitement, motivation, or passion that you once did. In your eagerness to find that youthful sense of joy once again, you might search frantically for new experiences to undertake. The solution might be as simple as setting goals that spark a newfound inspiration in your soul.
What is the common age for a midlife crisis?
Experts say that gender plays a part in the common age of a midlife crisis but it can be anywhere from 35- 55+.
What Triggers a Midlife Crisis?
Midlife crises can be triggered by things like simply aging, losing your job, the death of a loved one, becoming empty nesters, or day-to-day challenges that can overwhelm you.
How Long Can a Midlife Crisis Last?
For men, the crisis can last between 5 and 10 years. Whereas for women, it lasts between 2 and 5 years.
5 Ways to Inspire Yourself During a Midlife Crisis
You are in charge of your life and you have the ability to turn that ‘bad boy’ on its head and banish it from your life altogether with these 5 simple ways to get inspiration during your midlife crisis.
Educational Inspiration During Midlife
- Learn a New Skill – You might feel like you’re stagnating as a person when you experience the same things over and over for a long period of time. Learning a skill is a great way to reinvigorate yourself and affirm that there are still new things to look forward to. Gardening and crafting hobbies are great skills to learn, as you can visually see the fruits of your labor growing and improving alongside you. You can learn more by visiting sites for top gardening tips and advice.
If you specifically feel like your career is part of your life that is stagnating the most, you can invest in developing abilities that will boost your professional trajectory. Coding, graphic design, and social media marketing are all modern skills that may carry you far in a career change.
Opening up your IT and computer-based acumen can go so far as going back to school to pursue an online computer science degree. Not only is taking coursework online convenient and affordable, but it also allows you to learn the latest concepts in IT fundamentals, web development, data management, and networking. These new skills hold much promise in regard to increased future earnings and job security. Not to mention, they could be just the inspiration you need during your midlife crisis to get you out of your funk:-)
Fun Midlife Inspirational ChangeS
- Make Time for Traveling – Few things can be more inspirational than seeing what surprises can still be found in the great outdoors and in other cultures. SelectHealth cites experts who explain that being in nature can improve your mood and mental health, and it will likely put your worries in a new perspective as well. Find an outdoor hobby you enjoy, such as hiking or camping, and find new places you can explore.
As another exciting idea, come up with a list of countries and cities you would like to visit. This gives you many achievable goals to work toward for many years to come and might even spur you to learn new languages along the way.
- Get a More Permanent Change of Scenery – If you feel like your wanderlust is pushing you to make a more permanent change, moving to a new city — or even just a new neighborhood in your current city — could be just the thing you need for a life boost. Whether you choose to move near or far from where you currently reside, check out online real estate listings to put together a list of properties you’re interested in visiting in person, and connect with a real estate agent to take you on tours and ensure you’re shopping within your budget.
Keep in mind that if you’re currently a homeowner, you’ll also need to list your home for sale. If you stumble upon a home you love before you sell your current abode, you may need to be strategic in your buying approach to get the financial side of things in order. Redfin notes you can request a longer closing period to give yourself more leeway and a longer window to sell your home before closing on your new one.
More Friends
- Expand Your Social Circle – Making new friends can be a wonderfully refreshing experience. Start by finding people who enjoy the same hobbies as you. Joining social media groups is one way to find like-minded people, but you can also find events in your local area where people gather to celebrate their skills and passions.
Broadening your social circle also will expose you to some interesting new ideas, some of which might be outside your comfort zone. Taking that leap of faith into someone else’s area of interest will help you build a strong bond of trust with new friends and facilitate growth in you as a person.
Business Inspiration During Midlife
- Start Your Own Business – Strategic Coach explains that one of the biggest achievements you can fulfill, both in terms of your career and personal freedom, is launching your own business. Undertaking the entrepreneurial process can stir surprising inspiration in you to succeed at something that few people dare to attempt.
The first step in building an enterprise is deciding on a business structure. Even if you embark on a solo venture, you can establish an LLC to receive benefits such as tax advantages and limited liability. If you’re wondering how to start an LLC, the process can be daunting due to state regulations, so you might want to consider making it easier on yourself and using a formation service.
In Summary – Inspiration During Midlife Crisis
If the time comes that you start to feel a midlife crisis coming on, remember all the new experiences that still lie ahead of you. Inspiration to expel your midlife crisis can come from the people and places around you, but also from your own motivation to continue growing. Whether that means traveling, starting your own business, learning to garden, moving, or expanding your social circle, there are plenty of options available!
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all images from Canva.com