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Midlife crisis woman: How to survive the crisis in a relaxed manner
At the latest when 40 candles flicker on the birthday cake, a new phase of life begins for many and with it often comes another phenomenon: the midlife crisis. It is still often associated with men who want to break out of the daily grind, but women also often share this feeling after 40. From the meaning of the crisis of meaning to the concerns that women in particular have in this phase, to the question of how you can learn to master the midlife crisis as a woman with confidence: We have the most important information on the topic for you.
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Midlife crisis for women: keeping a cool head through the crisis
The good news: not every woman goes through a drastic, clearly recognizable midlife crisis in her life. Many women can cope with the doubts that arise about their own lifestyle even without a great sense of optimism and change. It's not that they don't have to struggle with fears about the future, panic about closing the door and so on - it's just that they don't let themselves be put off so easily. Many see no reason to change their behavior from the ground up in order to feel satisfied and balanced. A woman's midlife crisis therefore does not necessarily have to lead to radical change or even escalate as a result of an unbridled thirst for action. Many small steps can also lead to the goal: To feeling comfortable with your life and not suffering from the impression that you are missing out on something.
What's more, a woman's midlife crisis is simply a phase of increased questioning of the current status quo. And this confrontation with the question of what the second half of your life could actually look like can be very constructive. If you feel like change, why not simply see this time as an opportunity? You could change careers, enter into a new partnership and take that trip you've been dreaming of for years. A midlife crisis makes us more aware of many small dissatisfactions that we have previously overlooked in our everyday lives. But it also makes positive change possible. And if you see it not as a nuisance but as an opportunity, then your midlife crisis has what it takes to improve your quality of life in the long term: By giving routines a good dose of adventure.
The midlife crisis for women means change
The midlife crisis starts in your mid/late thirties at the earliest, but usually in your (early) forties and is characterized by the fact that it confronts us with an unpleasant topic for many: We're not getting any younger! That's why, for many, a fulfilled life is the top priority after 40. However, when we start to think about what we would like for this life, many are overcome by great dissatisfaction - and the fear of missing out on something. The typical questions and doubts that occupy people in this phase and determine their actions can be as follows:
"What do I want and what is important to me?"
"Couldn't there be more?" or "Was that all?"
"Who am I?"
These books on the subject are popular on Amazon:
Midlife Crisis: A Philosophical Instruction Manual by Kieran Setiya
Woman on Fire: All about the fabulous menopause by Sheila de Liz, MD
A crisis of meaning at 40: What are the typical symptoms and signs?
While the clichéd midlife crisis, as it is usually portrayed in the media, seems to mainly affect men, women are by no means spared. The basic features of the midlife crisis for women are the same as for men: at the beginning of the crisis of meaning at 40, there is dissatisfaction with one's own life. This can manifest itself in the form of dejection, irritability and even depression. But in most cases, it is the sudden desire for sometimes radical change that indicates a midlife crisis in a woman.
Also interesting: Men in a midlife crisis
Effects of the midlife crisis
The changes that a midlife crisis causes in a woman can affect both her professional and private environment. From a change of job or even career field to the end of a long-standing but unfulfilling partnership, many women take big decisions during this phase. They part with secure pillars in their lives in order to work more specifically on fulfilling long-cherished dreams in the second half of their lives.
Radical changes can be good, but you shouldn't have to regret them afterwards - so it's better to think carefully beforehand about whether it's just a momentary change of mood or whether you really want to break completely new ground. Perhaps some things are compatible after all? After all, even the elation of a midlife crisis will wear off at some point, so you should hold your happiness in your hands and not be left with a pile of broken pieces.
For many women, their own attractiveness also plays a role. When the body begins to age, for many, but by no means all, women in midlife crisis, this is tantamount to losing part of their identity. "If I'm no longer beautiful, who am I?" In order to stop ageing, many women suddenly invest a lot of time and money in their own beauty. For some, this also means reaching for the short skirts and high heels they wore in their twenties. An appointment with a plastic surgeon is a very radical step, but it can also be linked to a woman's midlife crisis. In general, however, the same applies here as with many other things: Accept yourself as you are. Nobody is perfect and nobody suddenly expects you to be from the age of 40. And little laughter lines are even nice!