How to survive and thrive during a midlife crisis | Local News

Do you find it difficult to accept the concept of life and your mortality? Like many other people your age, you may be going through a midlife crisis. The term refers to a time in your life, usually between your 40s and 50s, marked by heightened anxiety and doubt or struggles with identity and self-confidence. Despite the negative connotation, this could actually be the perfect opportunity for growth and positive change. Here are some ideas for finding joy, hope, and strength during this stage of life.

It’s getting better

The happiness curve phenomenon refers to a U-shaped pattern between well-being and age observed in countries around the world – and even among great apes – where people are happiest at first and at the end of their life, with their lowest points in the middle. Naturally wired to be ambitious when young, children tend to have high expectations of how life will look only to be disappointed when it doesn’t work out that way. Alternatively, people set low expectations for old age. By middle age, most people come to terms with life, let go of past regrets, and find that their old age expectations have been exceeded. Take comfort in the fact that your level of happiness will rebound and progress upwards once you get through this difficult time.

Negative feedback loops

When you reflect on your life, it’s easy to get trapped in a vicious cycle of feeling guilty for being dissatisfied with life, thus accumulating more negativity. Paradoxically, those who suffer the most are those who have the least reason to complain. Practice controlling your thoughts by noticing when you’re in a feedback loop and changing your internal narrative to silence your inner critic. Engaging in meditation can help you do this.

Back to school

Developing your knowledge and skills can help boost your confidence and help you change careers. Many online schools are available these days, allowing anyone with an internet connection to earn a degree remotely, with flexible options for those who must work full time or raise a family. Choose the best schools by looking for recognized accreditation and competitive tuition.

Career aspirations

If you’re unhappy with your work, it might be time to move on. Find your purpose with a job you love, doing a job that matters to you. Start by revamping your resume and updating it to match your current qualifications. If you need a complete makeover, look for a free platform that offers a library of resume templates, fonts, and images so you can give your resume the ultimate overhaul. Then, start researching companies or job opportunities that resonate with you and have the potential to bring you the fulfillment you seek.

start a business

Maybe you want more than a new job. It may be time for you to finally make the decisions with your own business. If you’ve always wanted to start your own business, start by developing your idea into a well-written business plan. It serves as a model of success that turned your idea into something tangible.

You can raise money by pitching the business plan to potential investors, so cover everything they’ll need to know, including your marketing channels, business structure, and financial projections.

take the reins

A midlife crisis doesn’t have to be a bad thing if you focus your efforts on controlling your thought patterns, investing in personal development, and finding purpose in your career, all while having patience and faith that it gets better from here.