As we approach the new year, Julie Morris has shared another great guest post! This time, she has some tips for managing a midlife crisis, including how to make some positive changes to your life during an emotionally challenging time.
If you’re struggling to overcome a midlife crisis, you might be wondering how to create a life that you truly love. In midlife, it’s easy to find yourself questioning everything you thought you wanted. But the insights that come with experience can inspire you to reach for more. Here’s how to turn your midlife crisis into a brand new chapter, from opening a business to moving to finding a new job.
Open Your Own Business
Maybe you’re frustrated because you haven’t been able to reach your full potential in your professional life. If you’ve been unhappy working for someone else, why not try working for yourself instead? To increase your chances of succeeding as an entrepreneur, make a business plan before committing to a particular idea. Take some time to describe your company, figure out where and how you’ll sell your products or services, and break down your financial projections, funding needs, and business structure.
Move to a New Area
You might find it hard to move forward if you’re stuck in the same environment. If you no longer feel connected to the city you live in, it’s time to think about moving somewhere else that you love. But before you make concrete moving plans, you’ll need to research the local housing market to ensure that home prices are within your budget.
Find a New Career
What if you’re not interested in pursuing entrepreneurship – but you are getting burnt out at your current job? It never hurts to browse job openings to see if you come across any positions that you might be a good fit for. Prior to job hunting, you’ll want to create a new curriculum vitae in order to illustrate your academic credentials, work experience, and professional skills. If you don’t want to start from scratch, you can choose a template for a CV and then add your work history, images, and photos.
Work With a Therapist
Sometimes, you need a little extra support in order to untangle the emotions that come with a mid-life crisis. If you’re interested in working with a therapist, don’t hesitate to reach out for help – there’s no shame in speaking with a professional when you’re struggling. It can take time to find a therapist you click with, so it’s a good idea to start looking early. But how can you go about finding the right therapist for you? To begin your search, UMPC Health Beat recommends asking your primary care doctor if they have any recommendations and checking in with your insurance provider to find out which therapists in your area accept your coverage.
Improve Your Health
No matter what steps you take to put your midlife crisis behind you, it’s important to care for your physical health throughout the process. Make sure to commit to a consistent sleep schedule, and try to go to bed and wake up around the same time. Stick to a fitness routine, and consider finding a friend who will work out with you. Finally, focus on eating a healthy diet – Very Well Fit recommends adding a serving of vegetables to your lunch and dinner, eating fresh fruit every day, drinking more water, and swapping out refined carbohydrates for whole grains.
A midlife crisis can catch you off guard. It’s not easy to pick yourself up again and build something better out of your circumstances. But with these tips, you can polish up your resume to find a new job, move to an exciting city, or even launch a business!
Are you a therapist, counselor, teacher, or social worker? Visit Resiliency Mental Health for resources and support as you try to help others.