Definition:
A “midlife crisis” is a belief that a period of emotional turmoil and self-reflection occurs in middle adulthood, often between the ages of 40 and 60. During this time, individuals may experience feelings of dissatisfaction, and a desire for significant change in various aspects of their lives, including career, relationships, and personal goals.
Etymology:
The term “midlife crisis” was coined by psychologist Elliott Jaques in 1965. It combines “midlife,” referring to the middle period of one‘s lifespan, and “crisis,” indicating a time of intense difficulty or upheaval.
Description:
Typical characteristics of midlife crisis are: feelings of sadness, frustration, or restlessness; mood swings; anxiety about the future. Sudden changes in lifestyle or appearance; seeking new hobbies or interests; making impulsive decisions. Increased conflicts with a partner or family members; desire for new relationships or experiences. Dissatisfaction with current job or career path; desire to pursue new professional opportunities or retirement.
Here are some examples of common decisions people might make during a midlife crisis that are often considered unwise or impulsive:
- Buying expensive items like sports cars, luxury watches, or high-end electronics on a whim can lead to significant financial strain.
- Quitting a stable job to pursue a drastically different career without proper planning or consideration of the consequences.
- Entering into relationships with significantly younger partners or engaging in infidelity, leading to family breakdowns and emotional turmoil.
- Investing large sums of money into new hobbies or activities (e.g., extreme sports, high-end photography equipment) without prior experience or genuine interest.
- Moving to a new city or country impulsively, leaving behind support networks and stability, often in search of a new start or escape from current life dissatisfaction.
- Turning to alcohol or drugs to cope with feelings of dissatisfaction, which can lead to further personal and professional issues.
- Making drastic changes to one‘s lifestyle, such as adopting extreme diets or intense workout regimes without proper guidance or understanding.
- Starting extreme fitness routines or diets which can lead to injuries or health issues.
- Deciding to have a child later in life without fully considering the financial, physical, and emotional implications.
- Undergoing significant changes in appearance, such as tattoos, piercings, or radical haircuts, in an attempt to feel younger or more adventurous. Even opting for unnecessary cosmetic surgeries in an attempt to regain a youthful appearance, which can sometimes lead to health complications or dissatisfaction with the results.
- Making high-risk financial investments or starting a business venture without adequate research or understanding of the market, often leading to significant financial losses.
- Spending a large amount of money on luxurious vacations or travel experiences without planning for long-term financial stability.
- Filing for divorce on impulse due to dissatisfaction or boredom, rather than attempting to address underlying issues.
- Engaging in activities typically associated with younger people (e.g., clubbing, extreme sports) to recapture a sense of youth, which can sometimes result in physical harm or social embarrassment.
- Ignoring family, work, or financial responsibilities to pursue personal desires or whims, leading to long-term consequences.
- Making impulsive decisions at work, such as quitting a job without a backup plan or taking actions that jeopardize career progression.
- Continuously making impulsive purchases to fill a perceived void or gain temporary satisfaction, leading to financial instability.
- Setting unattainable goals or expectations for oneself, leading to frustration, stress, and feelings of inadequacy when they are not met.
- Starting or intensifying collections (e.g., cars, memorabilia) to the point where it becomes financially draining or overtakes living space.
- Forming friendships with significantly younger individuals to feel youthful, which can lead to misunderstandings or conflicts due to different life stages and priorities.
- Becoming involved with radical social or political groups as a way to feel part of something larger, which can alienate existing friends and family and lead to personal and legal troubles.
Herd Mentality:
Midlife crisis is an example of herd mentality in the sense that society often imposes certain pressures and expectations on individuals when they reach a certain age or life stage. In many societies, individuals are expected to reach certain milestones or achieve specific accomplishments by a particular age, and when a believer feels dissatisfied or uneasy with their current life situation, it can lead to the belief in a midlife crisis manifesting.