We have all heard about the midlife crises. It’s like the second teenage life. You might have been saying, It won’t be happening to me’ and yet it does. Many times, people experiencing the midlife crises don’t realize what’s happening to them. Your mind doesn’t accept it.
A mid-life crisis isn’t necessarily bad. Don’t let someone else tell you otherwise. It’s a time when you finally realize that you can give back to yourself. You have achieved a position in life. Just don’t let this time overwhelm you. Avoid making rash decisions, and you are good to go on this roller coaster ride too.
If you’re in your 40s, it’s quite possible that you might be experiencing a midlife crisis if you are also experiencing some of these signs:
Impulsive Purchases
This is the most widely recognized signs of a midlife crisis. You indulge in some of the most expensive purchases of your life- buying a red Ferrari, going on an all-expense paid flight to Spain or finally buying your dream house.
While these may be costly, we wouldn’t tell you to let that get in the way. You are now in a position when you need to give yourself back. If securing a loan seems difficult, you can always try unsecured loans for bad credit to help you out.
Peer to Peer Comparison
You start viewing your success in comparison with the success of your friends and colleagues. You might even be jealous of their achievements. One reason that’s happening is that this is most probably the peak point of your career. You want to know how well you are doing, compared with others.
Weight Loss Obsession
For some people, weight loss obsession is also a part of the mid-life crisis. For the most part of the last decade, all your focus has been your job and even your family. You have paid little or no attention to yourself. But suddenly, you find yourself criticizing your physical shape. Most even join a gym or take up a sport. You might even find yourself buying supplements or researching the internet for the latest fad diet.
While striving to lose weight is always good, usually, at a midlife crisis, you need to realize that your journey towards weight loss should be healthy and sustainable. Join a gym, or take up a sport.
Loss of Identity
At midlife, you start reflecting more and more what you have achieved in life and what the future holds for you. You start questioning your choices. You wonder if all your struggles coming to this point have been worth it. This questioning often leads you to lose your identity. You are thinking more and more about the purpose of life and how you factor into the entire equation. Some even question society and ask its purpose in their life. They feel a sense of detachment to their surroundings.
It’s a good thing to ponder on your life choices, but don’t mellow on this for too long.
Out Of Character Choices
You might start indulging in out-of-character choices. Many men at this stage go for an entire makeover. They change hairstyles. They change their wardrobes. Some even sell their homes and move to the entirely different neighborhood. Most often it confuses their family and friends, who wonder what’s wrong.
One reason for making these random choices is to explore new experiences. Most people live their lives on a path, set by societal standards. When we reach an age where we have achieved something, we want to indulge in our passions and our dreams. These out of character choices are most often aspirations of a forgotten past.
Your Life Feels Like A Duty
You might be feeling trapped in your job and your family life. You feel trapped by your own responsibilities. Things that you have been doing for your survival and upkeep now seem like another chore. You feel a loss of passion towards life. And there’s the itch to start something different. You keep wondering, ‘Why am I doing this?’ or ‘How does this help me?’
If this is happening, you can always explore a new hobby or a even a new job. Find something that you are passionate about and try to weave it into your life.
You Feel Like Time is Slipping Away
Suddenly, you look back and realize that the last decade or so has just slipped away. You didn’t get the chance to enjoy it. You never got the chance to fulfill your dreams. At this point, you might even be feeling that the time will never come.
You feel that your future is going to be just like your present. A sense of loss sets in. You should give yourself a break. Experiment with something new. Focus on all the dreams that you have achieved.
Most people go through this mid life crisis for about 3-5 years, if left to explore this new side of their lives. They make mistakes. They end up in pitfalls. Many even end up achieving something they have always aspired for. Their risky venture is suddenly a thriving multi-billion brand.