5 Tips To Sail Through Mi-Life

Have you ever noticed some people who seem to sail through those mid-life years? They seem to blossom and be full of joy and enthusiasm. Their hair looks great and they have a big smile as they go off on their next adventure. Be it a trip to the local rose gardens at the park or a trip to the Camino.

Mid-life kind of sneaks up on you doesn’t it. Suddenly you look in the mirror and you think wow, when did those years slide past.  We may get to a significant birthday and have the stuffing knocked out of us with the realisation that maybe time is running out and we are facing being 'old'. 

This is how Wikipedia describe mid-life :The condition may occur from the ages of 45–64. Mid-life crises last about 3–10 years in men and 2–5 years in women. A mid-life crisis could be caused by aging itself, or aging in combination with changes, problems, or regrets over: work or career (or lack thereof).

A condition!!! How dare they!!!!! Sounds like we need medication for, (sarcasm there), or something to be avoided, but can’t. What we really need is a mindset that propels us forward to enjoying life as much as possible. This is something we would have found useful anyway but those mid life years are when we finally have the time to focus on us. In the now.

There are many many beliefs associated with being old and being in these youthful mid life years is a wonderful time to look at them.

1. Take it as an opportunity to celebrate something positive from your years. You have wisdom, experience – how many people do you know that would never go back to their 20’s unless they could take the head full of knowledge with them!  Identify something to celebrate.

2. This is the time to do something different. Who said you had to stay in the same job? Who said you had to keep the same sense of fashion? Who said you had to keep driving a 7 seater car? If you do something different you will create new experiences and have fun. You could meet a new tribe. Join a new group maybe – a choir or camera club. Join a gym or a theatre group. A travel club or a cycle club. The internet is a wonderful place to find a new tribe. Use meetup.com to find something new. Doing the same thing will give you the same results. Think differently. Think fresh.

3. Notice how much you have learnt! Midlife is a wonderful time to wake up. Give yourself a renaissance! A rebirth! Get up to date with finances if you have preferred to leave them to others. Get familiar with the internet. Go to events on your own as a newly independent person. Find out new things about your body and mind. Combine the experience you have had with the new learnings you are about to enjoy. Give yourself permission and the curiosity to enjoy sex from the gorgeous perspective of an experienced, vital person.

4. Take the time to reflect. Do you get the juice of the life you are in? Is there more juice to squeeze out of life, now that your priorities can change in some way? A coach can help you dig further into those limiting beliefs you have that may keep you small or afraid. A coach can help you avoid the enemies to happiness – actually not only avoid them but downright get rid of them!

5. Do anything you can to be healthy. This means physically healthy – start slowly if you need to, from walking to the corner daily, to maybe half a marathon if that is on your wish list. Eating well and looking at how your relationship with food reflects your relationship with yourself – yes it is a ‘thing’. Get mentally and emotionally healthy - ask those hard questions of yourself, be curious as to how others see their own world as well as your own. Our thoughts and attitudes influence our physical health too. Spring clean your mind. Coaching is wonderful for this. 

Being in your mid-life years is a wonderful time to be alive. Take them and make the most of them.