- Dec 6, 2022
HOW TO TURN YOUR MIDLIFE CRISIS INTO A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE
- Carly Merryweather
- 0 comments
This article is guest written by Marjorie McMillian / comeongetwell.net
Midlife is a time when a lot of things are changing. Your kids are moving out and starting their own families, you’re beginning to feel unfulfilled by a long-held job, and your mortality seems much more obvious than it did when you were younger. Midlife is when people start to notice a decline in their physical abilities, reflect on their regrets, and consider what life would have looked like had they taken a different path. Others begin to feel rushed to accomplish big goals as time seems to fly by faster than ever.
Thankfully, the midlife crisis is only temporary. Often people experience a slump in happiness during midlife which often rebounds in the following years. Learning to adjust to life’s changes, appreciate what you have, shift your expectations, and cope with feelings of regret will gradually lead to higher levels of happiness over time.
That said, there’s a lot you can do to speed things along and turn your midlife crisis into a positive experience. Here are some tips to help you overcome the challenges that come with midlife.
Buy a Home Somewhere New
If life feels stagnant and boring, moving might be the change of scenery you need! Moving somewhere new is a great opportunity to start with a clean slate and build the life you really want. Moving can also help you make new friends, get rid of household clutter, and enrich your life with unique experiences.
Thanks to digital home buying tools, it’s easier than ever to house-hunt and get a mortgage in another state. Use a home affordability calculator to determine your home-purchasing budget. Be sure to get your mortgage pre-approved before you start looking at homes. This will show sellers that you’re serious about buying! Familiarize yourself with the typical mortgage rates where you’re interested in buying a home.
Invest in Health-Focused Products
Many people view midlife as a pivotal period to refocus on health and wellbeing. If you want to commit to a healthier lifestyle, start by evaluating the health of your home. Invest in health-focused products that support your well-being on a daily basis. For example, consider purchasing an indoor air quality monitor to check for the presence of indoor air contaminants that you might be breathing in on a regular basis.
Prioritize Flexibility and Mobility
As we age, our joints tend to get stiffer and less flexible, decreasing our range of motion. Changes to your mobility can lead to issues like pulled muscles, loss of strength, and pain in the back, neck, and knees. To prevent these issues, Healthline recommends incorporating mobility moves into your everyday routine. Working to improve your mobility and flexibility can help improve your performance in active hobbies like golf!
Reconnect with Old Friends
Many people reach their middle years and find themselves without close friendships. Friends may fall ill, move away, or drift apart due to divorce. Making friends in mid-life isn’t easy! PsychCentral suggests reaching out to old friends and making an effort to reconnect. Look for people in your community that you used to spend time with, even if you haven’t talked to them since high school. Reigniting old friendships is always rewarding! You can track down old friends with the help of online people search platforms and school database websites.
Keep Learning
Learning new things and advancing your understanding of the world is a great way to enrich your middle years with fulfillment. Pick up a new hobby, study a subject that interests you, or take an online course. Learning keeps your mind engaged and offers an undeniable sense of accomplishment. And if you’re itching for a career change, learning a new skill or trade can help open the right doors and give you a shot at your dream job!
Say ‘Yes’ to New Experiences
We all know how fast time flies when we do the same things every day. This occurs because following a routine leaves little lasting impressions on our memories. Seeking novelty through new and unique experiences is a great way to slow down your perception of time! Fill your time with activities that are interesting, engaging, and memorable. Explore nearby cities, visit parks you’ve never been to, try new restaurants, sign up for local classes, or take a different route to work. You don’t have to dive with sharks or through-hike the Appalachian trail to enjoy new experiences!
Launch a Side Business
If you’re feeling unfulfilled by your job, consider starting a side business! Starting a business will give you greater control over your earning power. Not only is this a great way to pad your savings for retirement, but it can also boost your confidence and ease financial stress.
It’s never too late to start your own business. In fact, CNBC reports that people over 50 are twice as likely to succeed in business compared with those under 25. Thanks to digital technology and the trend towards remote work, starting a business in midlife is easier than ever! Take advantage of free online resources and digital tools that will help you keep your startup under budget.
One important step is choosing the right business structure. An LLC offers flexibility, tax benefits, and asset protection. The easiest way to register your LLC is to work with a formation service. Learn about the differences between Inc file vs Zenbusiness when choosing a service.
If you’re struggling through a midlife crisis, keep an eye out for the silver lining. Try putting a positive spin on your midlife crisis by using this time of transition to build the life you’ve always wanted. Call up old friends, buy a home in a new city, improve your home with healthy products, seek out activities that feel new and exciting, and even start your own business!