Midlife crisis explained
In the middle phase of life (between 40 and 65 years they call 'midlife') many men and women go through significant changes, with the midlife crisis being considered a turning point. It is an emotional state of doubt and unrest (the crisis!) where an uneasy feeling prevails at the realization that life is 'halfway'.
Physical condition can also play a role in this phase of life, with men being referred to as 'penopause' and women as menopause followed by menopause.
As an organization, we help hundreds of people every year who are dealing with life themes such as the midlife crisis, menopause and personal development and we are happy to share the valuable information from our retreats with you.
– Brahman Menor
The Midlife Crisis Complaints, a Painful Awareness
The midlife crisis is a turning point in the lives of both men and women, as self-reflection on life choices, feelings of 'dissatisfaction', boredom in work, relationships and social interactions can lead to (painful) awareness.
Wake Up! The Midlife Crisis as a Wake Up Call
The moment of realization – also called the moment of 'waking up' – is part of the midlife crisis and is very clearly present in many people. The following aspects can be discussed:
- Self-reflection: a person begins to think deeply about his or her life, with existential questions and doubts emerging.
- Dissatisfaction with Current Situation: Dissatisfaction arises with various aspects of life, such as career, relationships and personal achievements.
- Desire for Change: A strong desire for change and innovation arises. This can manifest itself in impulsive decisions and seeking new experiences.
- Awareness of Time: The realization that time is flying by can create a sense of urgency to reshape life and find deeper meaning.
- Exploration of Identity: A person begins to reconsider his or her identity and looks for ways to live more authentically.
Midlife crisis and menopause: you become aware of your aging
The feeling of getting older is also noticeable and visible. You have less energy, your skin starts to sag and the aging process can also be accompanied by health problems. Your appearance will show signs of aging, which for many can also have a negative impact on self-image. Although you may still feel young on the inside, the mirror shows something different!
Overcompensation is also a theme that comes to the forefront. That is why you see many 40-somethings hitting the gym, dieting and working hard on their health. Some examples of how this manifests itself in men: dyeing their hair, plucking eyebrows, buying a sports car or motorcycle and wearing trendy clothes.
Duration of the midlife crisis
The desire and urge to make radical changes, often involving impulsive decisions, is characteristic of this phase of life. The duration varies, with approximately 3 to 10 years for men and 1 to 5 years for women, although not everyone experiences this phase of life with equal awareness.
What signals indicate the end of the Midlife Crisis?
The end of a midlife crisis is not something that can be observed overnight. Step by step, 'lights of recovery' are observed. The following characteristics and signals show that the situation is changing.
- Stability in emotions
- (Self)acceptance and self-insight
- New energy, direction and focus
- Recovery of relationship(s) or new relationship(s)
- New life goals and priorities
- Reduction of physical complaints
Suffering from a severe Midlife Crisis?
Just as everyone is different, everyone can experience the midlife crisis differently. Some people don't even think about it, they just live their lives and don't go through phases as deeply as others. However, if you are dealing with a 'heavy' midlife crisis, you can indeed experience it as a crisis with even depressive feelings as a result. How do you recognize a heavy midlife crisis?
Resolving or easing a (severe) midlife crisis; retreats offer a solution
It is important to note that the intensity and duration of a midlife crisis varies greatly from person to person. What you can do to ease and soften the midlife crisis is to engage in personal development.
In that respect, we can be of great importance (to you) with our organization. We offer professional guidance for people who are looking for themselves and the deeper meaning of life. We offer this in the form of retreats in which people completely withdraw from their busy lives for a weekend to a week. During the retreats, you go into depth with a group of like-minded people in search of essence and connection with your inner world, with the aim of processing and new insights. Participating in retreats has proven to be an effective step in practice that provides many answers and new life energy, including for those who are struggling with the consequences of a severe midlife crisis.
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A severe midlife crisis is characterized by intense and prolonged symptoms:
- Deep Disquiet: There is significant inner turmoil and constant doubts about life choices, which can lead to a sense of disorientation.
- Major life changes: People in a severe midlife crisis often make drastic decisions, such as breaking off relationships, changing careers, or even leaving their current life.
- Emotional Challenges: Experiences intense emotional ups and downs, including feelings of depression, anxiety, or loneliness.
- Impact on health: The crisis can affect physical and mental health, leading to fatigue, sleep problems or other health issues.
- Social Isolation: People in a severe midlife crisis may feel isolated and have difficulty finding support from friends and family.
