\nfeeling sadder than normal and everything anyone close to you does sends you
\ninto an unexplained fit of rage. You can't quite put your finger on it because
\nthis isn't your normal PMS stuff. You're not pregnant and at 34 you're too
\nyoung to be going through a midlife crisis. That's usually for women in their
\nlate forties and fifties going through menopause, right? But wait a minute, are
\nyou really too young to be having an early midlife crisis?
By definition, a Okay, "2<\/span><\/span>:<\/span><\/strong> the decisive moment (as in a Now considering that the word crisis has several different meanings, The roots As we say Feeling like So your Our So as you
\nmidlife crisis is "a period of dramatic self-doubt that is felt by some
\nindividuals in the "middle years" of life, as a result of sensing the
\npassing of youth and the imminence of old age. Sometimes, transitions
\nexperienced in these years, such as aging in general, menopause,
\nthe death of parents, or children leaving home,<\/span> can trigger such a
\ncrisis. The result may be a desire to make significant changes in core aspects
\nof day to day life or situation, such as in career, marriage, or romantic
\nrelationships." (Source: <\/span>http:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/midlife%20crisis<\/a><\/span>)
\nthat makes sense and it can apply at any age. One doesn't necessarily have to
\nbe the "standard" midlife crisis age which is estimated to be around
\n46 to experience a period of dramatic self-doubt. But now let's take a look at
\nthe word "crisis":
\nliterary plot) <\/span><\/span>3 a<\/span><\/span>:<\/span><\/strong> an
\nunstable or crucial time or state of affairs in which a decisive change is
\nimpending; <\/span><\/span>especially<\/span><\/em> <\/span><\/span>:<\/span><\/strong> one with
\nthe distinct possibility of a highly undesirable outcome <\/span><\/span><a financial <\/span><\/span>crisis<\/span><\/em>><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>b<\/span><\/span>:<\/span><\/strong> a
\nsituation that has reached a critical phase <\/span><\/span><the environmental <\/span><\/span>crisis<\/span><\/em>>" (Source: http:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/crisis<\/a>)
\nlet's examine its origin. The word "crisis" is "via Latin from
\nthe Greek krisis<\/em> decision, from krinein
\nto decide". (Source: The Penguin English Dictionary).
\nhere have to do with making a decision. And even in one of the modern
\ndefinitions it states "\u2026a decisive change is impending". It all boils
\ndown to a decision. So I think it is fair to say that instead of a midlife
\ncatastrophe, which is how many of us view this period in life, it is truly a
\nmidlife decision.
\ngoodbye to our youthful years in number only (there is no rule that says that
\njust because you're middle age that you cannot be youthful physically, mentally
\nor spiritually) we are faced with what appears to be many decisions, but it's
\nreally just one big one that counts and sets the tone for all of the other
\nlittle decisions that are to come. And that one crucial decision? You must
\ndecide if you are going to embrace your aging and this second phase of life
\nwith love, acceptance and grace, or are you going to crumble and fall victim to
\nthe societal standards that have been set for the transition into the middle
\nage years?
\nan emotional souffl\u00e9 that can cave at any given second if someone looks at you
\nthe wrong way is tough to manage; especially when you don't know the source of
\nthe feelings. Trust me, I know<\/em>. However,
\nit isn't impossible.
\ncar wouldn't start yesterday evening right before ballet and karate practice,
\nbut it worked just fine when you picked the kids up from school. In that
\nmoment, did you decide to fall apart, speaking words of defeat and dwelling in
\na lack mentality over the thought of how much the repairs are going to run you
\nand how you just know your husband is going to bombard you with accusatory
\nquestions? Or, did you take a deep breath and decide that it is what it is and
\nyou'll do what you have to do to keep moving forward?
\ndecisions in any given moment can stop us cold in our tracks \u2013 complaining,
\ngetting angry and speaking defeat \u2013 or, they can continue to propel us forward
\nif we decide to not be stopped by frustration, fear and what appears to be a
\nsetback. It's all a choice.
\nassess your current state of emotions and try to decipher if you're just having
\na down day, or if this past month of "down days" could be the onset
\nof an early midlife "decision" will you decide to throw yourself a
\npity party and wallow in your own self-loathing? Or, will you decide to
\ncelebrate this new phase in your life and look at each challenge as an
\nopportunity to learn and grow and be the victor in your life experiences
\ninstead of the victim? The choice is yours.