Last Updated on November 14, 2023 by Cheryl Moreo
Guest author Carrie Spencer wrote this post.
How to Find a Silver Lining in a Midlife Crisis
Table of Contents
For many people, midlife feels like a time of crisis. A midlife crisis is often an upheaval experience resulting from changes to our health, hormones, responsibilities, lifestyle, relationships, and long-held routines. But this period of change doesn’t have to be negative! Instead, embrace this shift and try to see this period as a transition toward a new phase in your life. Check out the following tips to find positivity in your middle years.
Focus on Yourself
Starting a business in your middle years is excellent because it’s about following your dreams and passions. Think about how else you can focus on yourself right now. For example, Healthline suggests creating a self-care plan with activities and habits you would like to work into your routine. Make a point of spending time doing things you love. So be it if this means saying “no” to people occasionally!
Reevaluate Your Career
Most people spend a lot of time working. If you find your job increasingly unfulfilling, consider changing it. Consider other job options your work, education, and training have also qualified you for, and start looking. You must update your resume and CV to show how your experiences fit in this new area.
Try Out Entrepreneurship
Have you always wanted to start a business? Now is your chance! Your kids have moved out and become financially independent, and you have far fewer responsibilities. What’s stopping you? Save some money to cover your living expenses for a few months and dive into entrepreneurship!
Start by doing some market research to find a product or service that’s in demand. Once you have your business idea, write out a business plan. Next, describe your company in detail, describe how you will sell your products or services, and determine how you will structure your business.
Explore Gardening for Mental Health
It would be best if you found ways to preserve your mental health. Being in nature is a great way to calm your mind and reduce feelings of depression so gardening can be a great outlet. Home Garden Hero offers many tips, care guides, and buying options for various plants. They can help you start your home garden or stock your home with beautiful houseplants to bring in some nature.
Explore Your Identity
Midlife is a time when many people begin to question who they are and what their purpose is. However, a midlife crisis does not have to be a negative experience. On the contrary, reevaluating your identity is an opportunity to define your sense of self and explore who you are, independent of any roles or responsibilities you held in the past. As PsychCentral explains, an identity crisis often proceeds immense personal growth!
Reevaluate Your Possessions
Midlife is also an excellent opportunity to reevaluate what you own and eliminate things that no longer serve you. All the clutter can take up a lot of mental space! So plan to go through your possessions and try to pare them down. Remember that decluttering can be exhausting, particularly regarding sentimental clutter, so go slow and take plenty of breaks!
Consider Relocating to a New Home
Relocating during a midlife crisis can provide a fresh start, new perspectives, and opportunities for personal growth. It can also help you break out old patterns, overcome fears, and explore new possibilities. For example, if you plan on purchasing a new home, establish a home-buying budget considering your net income, monthly debts, and down payment amount.
Find a Form of Exercise You Love
Exercise is the antidote to difficult emotions, including those with a midlife crisis. Engaging in the form of exercise that you love will leave you feeling energized, calm, and centered. Not only that, but exercise will give you a mood boost and help you relieve stress. Try new types of exercise until you find something you enjoy. For example, you could try cycling, pilates, hiking, kayaking, or dancing! You could even try water aerobics or water walking at your local pool. Whatever exercise you enjoy, incorporate strength training into your routine!
Combine an exercise routine you love with healthy and delicious foods, and you’ll do your body and mind even more favors. Ascension explains that food directly affects our body composition, and exercising amplifies that effect. So if you work out and eat good food afterward, your body will be healthier daily!
Make Your Midlife Crisis a Positive Turning Point
Going through your midlife crisis can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be all bad. Look for ways to use this rocky period as a springboard for growth! Consider starting a business or finding a new job, refocusing on self-care, finding a new home, starting a garden, and throwing yourself into beneficial exercise. You’ll come out of this crisis feeling better than ever!
More Relaxation Ideas
Learn How to Unplug from Technology
Shop at The Fiber Closet for high-quality yarn, crochet, knitting supplies, and accessories.
Cheryl, thanks for sharing this informative post from Carrie Spencer.