Many people have a fear of becoming what’s known as “middle-aged.” When I turned 35 last year, I kept wondering to myself, “So, am I middle-aged now?” Well, the whole fear of being middle-aged and of a mid-life crisis in particular may just be a whole lot of cheap baloney.
Yes, baloney. I’m not making it up to help anyone feel better. The concept of a mid-life crisis may just be a silly myth. Professor Carlos Strenger at Tel Aviv University is a co-author of an article on the mid-life crisis published in the Harvard Business Review last year. He says that “as people live longer and fuller lives, we have to cast aside that stereotype [of the mid-life crisis in mid to late 40s] and start thinking in terms of ‘mid-life transition’ rather than ‘mid-life crisis.’”
Strenger argues that the mid-life years are a time to make use of what you’ve learned to make the second half of your life even more fulfilling. Strenger believes that longer life expectancy, improved health practices and education, as well as an emphasis on emotional self-awareness and personal fulfilment have all combined to reduce the chances of something like a mid-life crisis.
He says that a longer life expectancy means people need to spend time planning the many “high-quality adult years” ahead. Strenger also suggests taking time to think about the career path and personal abilities that please you, not what your parents may have had in mind for you. A career change isn’t an “unreasonable move” says Strenger. In fact, he says, it may be very worth it.
Strenger’s newest book, Critique of Global Unreason: Individuality and Meaning in the Global Age, will be published this year.
Do you believe in the mid-life crisis?
(Image via flickr.ZekeSneaker)
Post from: Blisstree