When you hear the phrase "mid-life crisis," what comes to mind? A 40/50ish-year-old man with a new red corvette? A wild, torrid affair because someone is unhappy in their marriage? Certainly, these types of things can occur when someone is middle-aged (or at any age). But many times, a mid-life crisis doesn't look like this. Sometimes it's just a quiet, subtle, yet enduring feeling of dissatisfaction with life.
Can you relate? Many people can. But what should you do about it? Do you just throw up your hands and say, "Well, that's life!" and continue going through the motions of your life? Most people do. But why? Why is it so difficult for people to reinvent themselves... and their lives?
The reasons are endless:
•"I can't quit my job and find one I would enjoy more because I need to put a roof over my family's head and food on the table."
•"I'm too old to try something new."
•"I don't have the energy."
•"My spouse would freak out if I actually followed my passion and made a change."
•"What would people think of me?"
•"I don't even have a clue how to change or what I would change into!"
And the list goes on. This is just the tip of the iceberg, because everyone's "reasons" (i.e. excuses) are unique to them. But there are endless ways for how you can change your life for the better, you just need to be open to them. In actuality, it's not so difficult to recapture your life purpose. You just need to be open to new things.
Here are just a few ways you can start:
1.Go back to school.
For example, maybe you've been wanting to go back to school to finish that degree because you dropped out of college. But you aren't good at writing, so that is your excuse. Guess what? That is such small problem. You can find a review writer to help you. See? Problem solved! I teach at a university that has a lot of non-traditional students (i.e. older). So I am very familiar with the concerns that go along with going back to school later in life. But I also know that the fears can be dealt with easily, and you can make your dream of attaining that degree a reality.
2.Get healthy and lose some weight.
I know that this is not any mysterious advice. But even if you don't need to lose weight, we can all focus on eating better. Think about this. How do you feel on a daily basis? Do you feel tired, overweight, and otherwise bad? If you do, what is preventing you from taking that serious step toward losing weight and getting healthy? Yes, it's difficult to adopt new habits and lifestyles. But ask yourself this: which is worse? Feeling this way (or worse) for the rest of your life or just committing to feeling GOOD? Because that's what it's all about -- feeling great. Think about why you have not taken that step and then work through it.
3.Learn a new skill, hobby, or anything else.
Always wanted to play the guitar? Well, these days you don't even need to take classes. My nephew taught himself to play from the internet. Want to play tennis? Get out there and try it! In other words, find something new that will excite you and then explore it. Even if you can't think of anything to try or a new skill to learn, how about reading some new books? Maybe you have been a history buff your whole life, but have lost touch with that passion. Well, pick up a book and educate yourself. It all starts with a small decision to get out of your old ruts and discover new things.
4.Start a business.
Maybe you have always wanted to start a business. Do you love cooking? Maybe think about starting a catering business. Do you love writing? You might want to start a blog. You don't even need to get investors or form a company to start. There are countless ways you can start small with your passion and make your dreams come true. But maybe you are convinced that you will never make any money from doing what you love, so you think "Why bother?" There are plenty of people who started their businesses from their homes, and became successful.
5.Make new friends
Believe it or not, sometimes we even get stuck in ruts with the same people. Maybe it's time to venture out and find new places to meet people! There are plenty of ways to meet people on the internet these days. You just need to do some research and see who is out there doing the things you are also interested in. Groups meet all the time, and you can join them. If you're a single parent, find a group with other people in the same situation. Or if you love hiking, find a group that does that. The point is that you can always find ways to meet new people. And you never know how much better they might make your lives just for having known them.
There are so many other positive ways that you can get past your "mid-life crisis," but this is a good starting point. The only thing to remember is to put consistent effort toward creating change in your life that you will be a happier person for.