Yes, mid life crises are real, and not so funny when its affecting you or your partner.  Often times a milestone birthday or a significant life change during the mid life years can get one’s mind racing about the years that have passed, and wondering what’s to come.  Ask yourself if you can identify with any of the symptoms below.

1. You’re questioning your previous life decisions; such as your marriage, career, and friendships.  Why did I really get married? Was I really in love? I hate my job, what was I thinking?
2. You are feeling apathetic or suffocated by current responsibilities or achievements.  You once tried really hard to achieve your career goals, but now that you’re at the top you feel more “Blah” than ever. You thought you wanted a family but even though you love your kids, you feel tied down.  You might have lost interest in your current social circle, or realized you don’t have a social circle.
3. You’re fearful of getting old. The 6-pack is long gone, the hair is receding and you no longer feel attractive and you fear not being desirable to the opposite sex.  You might try to feel better about yourself by purchasing a nice car, coloring your hair or even flirting (etc…) with the opposite sex when already in a relationship.
4. You feel a strong need to go in a different direction, and a need for adventure.  You may feel like you’ve spent the first part of your life like a hamster going around in circles, and you want OUT!
5. You are questioning your identity.  Who am I?  What is my purpose in life?  Am I really living the life I want to live or am I living the life that others want me to live?  What am I passionate about?

This mid-life crisis could Make or Break your life… no pressure.

The first step is to be real with yourself, the more you push this down the more problems you might have.  Now is the time to pump the brakes and reflect on your life, ask yourself who you are, who you want to be, and pump the brakes again.  This is a defining moment in your life, a fork in the road where you must choose wisely.  Your impulse says to “do what feels good, do what you want to do for once.” However, many good lives, families, and careers have been ruined under that premise.  Even though it might seem like the answer is to make some drastic changes in relationships or extravagant purchases, often the issues are much deeper.   You can change, you can grow, and you can be the person you were made to be.  After digesting what is going on, reach out for support from trusted friends, reconnect with your faith, and if you feel out of control, get professional help.

If you’re not sure where to start, feel depressed and overwhelmed, give me a call for a free consult.  I am passionate about helping people through mid-life crises.