What exactly is a "Mid life" crisis?

Question

Apologies if this is in the wrong section

Answer 1

For me mid-life crisis was when the sum total of my mistakes as far as society was concerned became so impossible to live with that I could no longer function. I had to leave everything and everyone behind and start anew. The result was an incredible adventure which began as soon as I decided to make that first step out the door. Now twenty years later, I can really say that I have lived and am living a fantastic joyful life.

Answer 2

Finding your self in a crisis like state over actions, situations, or decisions that may come with adult hood!

For many of us the once "not a big deal" things that happened in our teens, 20's and maybe even 30's that we may have laughed off so freely happening at 40's or 50's could send us into a whirlwind often creating 60+ year olds in two seater roadsters speeding down the highway, trading in slightly used spouse for a newer model, and even wearing the same things you when you were in highschool in an attempt to reinvent the "cool" that was once you!

Answer 3

Mid life crisis is kind of a joke, of sorts -- the old man driving the red convertible, trying to hit on 20 year old girls, and suddenly dressing "cool" and using slang or otherwise.

It's supposed to be the point in your life, generally in your 40s or 50s, when you realize exactly how close to death you really are. People (usually men) try to retreat back into their younger years to avoid this reality.

However, this is actually very, very rare. Most people think it happens more frequently than it actually does.

Answer 4

From Reggie Perrin to American Beauty, we're all familiar with the stereotype of the man who reaches 50 and trades his wife in for a younger model or chucks in his job to go off and travel the world. The term "mid-life crisis" conjures up images of a dissatisfied man in middle age who suddenly goes through a series of sudden and violent changes of behaviour.

Answer 5

People laugh when I say this, but I had mine when I was 28! The realisation that I was uncomfortably close to 30 sparked it off. The thing is, youth is where it is; when you are part of the 'now' world, and then , sooner than you think, there's a whole new generation racing up behind you, and with 'new' ideas, and suddenly you dont quite 'fit' anymore...................It can be very scary, and people react in different ways. Who wants to get old?!! But older we all get..........Midlife crisis!

Answer 6

Midlife crisis is a term used to described a period of dramatic self-doubt that is typically felt in the "middle years" of life, as people sense the passing of youth and the imminence of old age. Sometimes, transitions experienced in these years, such as aging in general, menopause, the death of parents, or children leaving home can trigger such a crisis. The result may be a desire to make significant changes in core aspects of day to day life or situation, such as in career, marriage, or romantic relationships.

Answer 7

There's nothing wrong with roller-blading nans Bex !!
It usually happens between the ages of 35 -50 when you see your life passing you by. Your friends know how old you are but suddenly don't invite you somewhere because 'at your age , we thought you wouldn't like it' or the really really really horrid thing is junk mail for SAGA or planning your funeral !
So, what you do is this......
Get your hair cut tidily,fix your teeth,smarten yourself up and say to yourself 'if I can and want to, I will' and go out, hold your head high and SMILE

Answer 8

It's when a man reaches the point where he is no longer young but does not want to accept it, so he goes out and does something to convince himself otherwise like getting a 20 something girlfriend or buying a sports car... usually happens when they turn 40 or 50 and are forced to acknolwedge their age...

Answer 9

I think it's when you suddenly realise your not getting younger so start acting out of character and regressing back to a more youthful time when your really not looking that youthful or in some men they trade their wives in for a younger model.

Answer 10

It used to be the excuse used by old men who realised they were never going to amount to what they thought they would, so they'd go off and spend their pension on a flash sports car, a toupee and some escort girls! I don't think it's the same now, though.