MIDLIFE – Crisis or Breakthrough?

YOU know when you have reached that age when;

• • there’s that one or two persons in your workplace who call you Tita, Tito,
• • service crew or people you meet randomly call you Madame, Sir,
• • you and your friends talk about maintenance medicines, medical lab results, visits to the doctor,
• • you look for sugar-free or less-sugar desserts,
• • you prefer less crowded places to eat,
• • you and your friends prefer cafes or lounges over bars,
• • (for some) you become more opinionated (or vocal),
• • you care more for the environment and a lot more.

One queer change I have noticed, though, I often think out loud now. Which, by the way, frequently draws some gasps (or a, MAE!!!) from colleagues and friends.

I remember the book I bought in 2007, I Feel Bad About My Neck, by Nora Ephron. I did not reach that age yet, at that time, so what Nora talked about felt foreign to me then.

Maybe I should read it once again. I’m pretty sure I would be nodding to every phrase, every word mentioned.

When you were in your teen years or even in your 20s, you would think that those in their 40s and beyond are ancient. It’s even hard to imagine yourself being that age.

However, as you journey towards each decade, you don’t even feel it. You still think you’re that same twenty or thirty-year-old self. Looking at the mirror, you would say, “Nothing has changed.”

It’s when you take that selfie or a small group photo and zoom it in that you finally realize you have aged. Well, there’s always that friendly filter to assist you.

Have you ever told yourself, “I’m fat,” at your current age? However, when you look back through old photos, you become aware that you were not fat then. Don’t you hate it when Facebook sends you these memories of your old self? Well, some are good, and some are bad.

Midlife is not a crisis. It’s how you deal with it. It can be a breakthrough for so many things.
Some discover their talents, or new talents, or skills at a later age. Some have more courage to explore new things because of the confidence gained through the years.

“Like a fine wine, you get better with age.”