Midlife Crisis: How to Avoid One

If you are at a point in life that you ask yourself, "Is this all there is?" You are at a mid-life crisis. Is work boring, home life is routine and dull, and responsibilities seem never-ending? You are at a mid-life crisis. Are you having trouble with relationships, thinking of divorce, ready to quit your job or thinking about therapy? (For you or your spouse) When you are up against an unmovable wall, turn left or right! Do something different. Avoid mid-life crisis before it happens. Learn to recognize the oncoming problem.

Mid-life crisis at 40:

That good job has become work, home life is drudgery, the kids are demanding, responsibilities are never-ending, the mortgage will never be paid, and there is no end in sight. Turn left or right! Refocus your life. The goals that were set are met so set new goals and break the routine. Sometimes a weekend away will give a break to refocus on new goals. Where do you want to be in the next 5 years? Long term goals are hard to visualize; short term goals are manageable. Go back to college for that degree or start working for the Masters or Doctorate. Turn a hobby into a business. Do something constructive before you ruin what you have already worked so hard to achieve.

Mid-life crisis at 60:

Once again that unmovable wall reappears. Most of life's goals have been accomplished. Kids are almost grown, mortgage is close to being paid, education has been completed and life is dull! Turn left or right! Set new goals, again. Make plans for the future. Where do you want to be in the next 5 years? Refocus again. When do you want to retire? Where do you want to be? Maybe now is the time to pursue that hobby you have always enjoyed. Lower your golf handicap by taking lessons. Get active in community or organizational projects. Do something different and constructive.

Mid-life crisis at 80:

There is that unmovable wall again! Ill health or physical limitations can alter lifestyles, but we can still refocus. Set new and realistic goals and pursue them. A lifetime of experience is a valuable commodity. Teach an adult to read, or tutor a child. Be active in community service and projects. Even if mobility is a problem, be active on the Internet. There is a world that can benefit from your experience.

Conclusion:

Mid-life crisis can come at any age. When that unmovable wall reappears - refocus. Set new goals and reach beyond self. Do you know how to tell when you are into self? Do something good for someone else and tell no one about it. Above all, do not tell the person for whom the good deed was done! It is harder that you think. Become of maximum service to God and your fellow men and women and life will never be dull or boring. Get out of self and do for others. Avoid a mid-life crisis at any age.