An Invitation to a Mid-Life Awakening

Do you ever feel like you've missed your chance to build the life of your dreams? We live in a society that idolizes youth, which leads us to believe that nothing good happens in our lives after we hit mid-life. That's where the phrase mid-life crisis comes from, and most of us probably know of someone who has hit mid-life and completely upended their life. But mid-life crises are never productive, and at best, they're a sign of someone who has lost touch with who they want to be.

I believe that mid-life crises bubble up in the lives of people who don't have an intentional vision for their future. The playbook set by society says a person should go to college, get a good job, buy a house, get married, have kids, build wealth…but then what? Retirement seems like the next natural step, but is that the end of the road? 

Without a vision for the future, you're left chasing after whatever the world tells you is worth it. You can blow your money on plastic surgery, trendy clothing, and fast cars until the cows come home, but those things will never be satisfying in the long term. You'll only end up wanting more and more and more. The longer you feed that beast, the hungrier it gets.

When you feel the urge to reinvent yourself, the alternative is to step back from the world and determine what you want your life to look and feel like. Often the answer will have little to do with physical items, though it may require significant life changes.

My mid-life awakening started with therapy, ending an unhealthy marriage, and committing to build a life that could give me peace. I started my accounting firm during my mid-life awakening because it felt like my only option.

I'd failed at a handful of businesses when I was married, but this was the first time I did it on my own. I wanted to build something for myself and my kids. Ultimately, my goal is to turn my accounting firm into a national brand. I'm still figuring out how we'll get there, but having the goal helps push me forward. It gives me something to reach for. 

Many people have anxiety about mid-life. Our bodies are changing, the future is looking a little less vast, and all the people we love are aging along with us. But it's also a time when we can let go of some of the troubles of youth. We know ourselves better with age, hopefully, care a little less about what people think of us, and have a clearer sense of what we want for the years that lie ahead. 

Whether you're facing mid-life as we speak or preparing for the years ahead, I hope this helps you reframe the negative reputation it has received over the years. Rather than reacting to midlife with fear, I hope you can see all the promise it holds for you.