Latest news with #midlifecrisis
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'90s Icon Sparks Mid-Life Crisis Buzz With New Song ‘Pretty Girls'
'90s Icon Sparks Mid-Life Crisis Buzz With New Song 'Pretty Girls' originally appeared on Parade. might not have gotten the reaction he was hoping for amid the release of his new song 'Pretty Girls.' Online critics didn't hold back with their opinions of his latest music, and some even suggested the Independence Day star might be having a 'mid-life crisis.' 'I think Will Smith is having a mid-life crisis. He's performing a new song in the middle of the street in LONDON. No energy, no response, Nada!' wrote one person on X. 'Will should have performed at Coachella.' Parade has reached out to Smith's reps for comment. In 'Pretty Girls,' Smith raps, 'It's a full house, better play your cards right / I'ma post your pic if you pose / Make one phone call, you in Vogue / Head, shoulders, knees, toes / Hold up, wait, pose.' He continues, 'I like BBLs / That stand for 'Bad b--ches link up' / Poppin in the club all night in the section / Picture perfect, I swear you perfection.' The tune has left its mark with listeners, but not in a good way. 🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 'Somebody please remind Will Smith that he was not a good rapper in his 20s that's why he became an actor & he ain't no better at 56,' another person chimed in and shared on X. 'Unc needa put the mic down and go do a movie instantaneously.' A third person even mentioned the infamous Oscars slap when Smith assaulted comedian Chris Rock on stage after Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith. 'Will Smith used to be the pride of Philly, but lately I just feel like he's doing anything he can to stay relevant. I'm guessing casting directors won't touch him with a 10 foot pole after the Oscar slap,' the X user said. However, not everyone was blasting the Men In Black actor for his return to the world of music. 'Why a mid life crisis and not someone who is rich and can do what he wants?' one of his defenders added. 'Will Smith being 50 yrs old free and living his best life vs a 40+ yr old tweeting about him on Twitter.' '90s Icon Sparks Mid-Life Crisis Buzz With New Song 'Pretty Girls' first appeared on Parade on Jun 23, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
Telegraph
24-06-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
I'm caring for my mum and silently furious at what my life has become
There was a morning, a few months ago, when I found myself doing something that, to me, seemed completely reasonable: I hid under my bed. I must say, the experience wasn't that pleasant; it was quite dusty under there, and there was a smell of damp rubber from several old wetsuits. Still, I persevered with the discomfort, and a while later, my partner found me. 'Why are you under the bed?' he asked. I craned my neck. What a stupid question. 'I'm hiding,' I whispered. 'From what?' How did he not know? 'From… my life?' The moment – which I suppose might be described as a cry for help? A mini breakdown? – was sparked by being caught firmly in the midlife 'jam', and essentially reaching breaking point. As I tearfully explained (once he had joined me under the bed), I am in my mid-forties with a teenage daughter to look after. I work most days. I have poor health. Anxiety bubbles constantly. There is little downtime, no 'me' time. On top of this, for the past few years I have been an unpaid carer to my brilliant and feisty 80-year-old mum who has the pits of all diseases: dementia. It is this – needing to support my mum, who lives an hour's drive away, once, ideally twice, a week – that has tipped me over the edge. 'The demands on me,' I said, '... are too much. How am I meant to do all this? How is anyone?' He had no answer. Looking after Mum and Dad I am not alone in being an unpaid carer (if that's what I am). According to the charity Carents, which offers practical tips to those looking after elderly relatives, around four million of us now have some sort of responsibility for our parents. This figure is only going to grow as the number of Britain's oldies rises. By 2030, more than a million people in the UK will have dementia, according to the Office for National Statistics. What's more, between the two decades of 2002 and 2024, the number of centenarians in England and Wales doubled. By 2072, more than a quarter of the population will be aged 65 and over. This – charities warn – will inevitably boost the numbers of those with long-term health conditions, frailty and social care needs. I hate to point out the obvious, but given the state of social care in Broken Britain, this means more and more families (and mainly women) will be left to pick up the pieces. And that prospect is beyond alarming. Carers' Week, an annual campaign held every June, highlights the inequalities faced by unpaid carers, including a greater risk of poverty, social isolation and poor mental and physical health. For caring for an elderly parent while trying to work, bring up your children, pay the bills, feed the pets and not let the house become even more of a mess, all without losing your own mind, is – dare I say it – near impossible. Coping mechanisms In my case, I do everything I can to mitigate extra pressure. Should a friend text to ask when I am next free for dinner, I will archive their message, not reply, feel like a total scumbag, and simply pretend my phone broke when I next bump into them. All extraneous activities – drinking wine – have fallen by the wayside. Life has been whittled down to the bare bones of work and Mum, yet it still basically resembles a slow-motion car crash. The weird thing is, in my case anyway, I don't even feel like a carer, just a pretty incompetent daughter trying to not be completely selfish for once in my life. I am not even anywhere near my mum's main support; that role mainly falls to my brilliant stepdad. But caring for someone with dementia cannot be left to one person. They would murder them before they could say, 'Are you going anywhere nice on holiday?' (for the 72nd time that day). So I am someone who provides company, and often food, and the odd bit of cover for when my stepdad needs to go out (Mum can't be left alone). Mostly my 'care' involves driving over, having lunch, walking the dog, watching Pointless and slagging off the Government over tea and biscuits. Not too hard, you might think. Wait until it's your turn. Sometimes I have to work when I'm over there, so I take my laptop and field phone calls from their open-plan kitchen with its bad phone reception as their TV burbles in the background, which makes me want to shoot myself from stress. I lie in bed after those days and think to myself: is this normal? I have no idea any more. Other times, I arrive and shamelessly fall asleep on their sofa (told you I was incompetent). But I just can't help it. I am so exhausted that if I don't, I will get a raging headache to the point I won't be able to open my eyes and drive home. Is that caring, when you drive to your mum's house, sleep on the sofa and let her feed you biscuits when you wake up? No idea. Either way, the physical toll of juggling work and caring (even if it is sleeping) is completely overwhelming, though, luckily my teenager doesn't seem to notice that I have abandoned her. She has TikTok and K-pop. Thank you Asia. Losing Mum bit by bit But the stress is no doubt exacerbated by the emotional turmoil of seeing my mum like this. For bit by bit I am losing her, and that causes me – at times – terrible distress. Often I simply dread getting in the car to see her, because… she's not my old mum. But I am still so grateful that she is still here. She knows who I am, but every visit there are mild changes and I never know quite what to expect. She may have a good day, laugh at my jokes (Mum's back!) but then she may become agitated and repetitive, and it will dawn on me that she's gone again. Spoiler alert: dementia never gets any better. And of course, this barbaric disease is not simply memory loss. It can also bring crippling anxiety (who wouldn't be anxious if they sensed they were losing their mind?) and depression. It can insert old memories into your brain, leaving reality confusing and distorted. It can bring gloom, cynicism, anger, and I think a total sense of worthlessness. The more intimate I've become with the disease, the more I've been horrified by its cruelty. How can it steal someone's brain away, make them mistrust all their loved ones, destroy their family in its wake? It is so brilliantly effective, so evil and destructive, I darkly joke that it must have been invented by the Russians. Novichok and dementia: what Putin wouldn't give. A cost to the economy Of course, friends who haven't given up on me offer advice. They might suggest employing a carer (they cost £35 an hour), or putting Mum in a home (she is not that bad yet). They might suggest I don't see her as much, or quit work. To be fair, this is what sensible carers do. According to Carents, in 2021/2022, 400,000 carers quit their jobs, at a cost of billions to the economy (no one's quite managed to count the exact figure). Another study shows that UK carers exit their jobs more than elsewhere in Europe (is anyone surprised?). But I don't want to quit work, and my mum wouldn't want me to either. So I am stuck, but also selfishly, silently furious at what my life has become. After all, I did spend years juggling a young child and work. I thought I'd left those days behind. Basically, as dark as it is, there is no way around this situation other than through it. And that means, as far as I can tell, being resilient, understanding that this is where I am at with life, getting perspective (others are doing far more caring than me) and sometimes taking a break from it all, so I can pretend none of it is real. In recent months, with a dawning reality that this may last for years, I have forced myself to have more 'me' time – rejoining my old orchestra and going swimming weekly. Exercise is key to sanity. I don't know what will happen to my wonderful mum. Will she one day need a full-time care home, which will see my stepdad having to sell their house to pay for it, thanks to Labour scrapping the social care cap. Will she be gone tomorrow? I often joke that dementia will kill one of us – it just might be me first. All I can say to other carers is the obvious; that despite the messages from well-meaning charities and some councils that we are not 'on our own,' they are barefaced liars. Of course we are on our own. All we can do is hang in there. And failing that, hide under the bed. Even if just for a day or two. An overlooked crisis According to Dr Jackie Gray, co-founder of Carents, the rise of unpaid sandwich carers has become an 'overlooked crisis' in the UK. 'Millions of people are caring for frail elderly parents, and many don't even identify as carers,' she tells the Telegraph. 'This is because they consider caring for their old folk a natural, loving thing to do. But this can mean they are excluded from help, and we know the pressure can have a negative impact on their physical, mental and financial wellbeing.' A 2024 study by the charity showed that 55 per cent of people who care for parents have neglected their own health and well-being and 57 per cent have experienced financial challenges. 'There is a total lack of clear and robust evidence about how best to support people caring for older populations,' she adds. 'But supporting carers for older populations should be a priority for the UK.'
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The latest thing millennials feel priced out of: a midlife crisis
José has a stable life and career. He wishes he could blow it all up. The 42-year-old has worked in cybersecurity for two decades and earns a six-figure salary. He lives with his girlfriend outside Dallas and earns enough to cover their basic expenses and put some money away for retirement. But he's no longer energized by his work. When he thinks about how he'd like to spend the second half of his life, assuming he lives into his 80s, "sitting in front of a laptop definitely isn't it," says José, who requested that his last name not be used so he could speak frankly about his job. He thinks about getting a degree in exercise science, since he's more passionate about combat sports than he's ever been about computers. He's even thought about moving for a while to Southeast Asia, where he spent time when he was younger. In short, José is having a midlife crisis. Or, rather, he wishes he could have a midlife crisis. As desperately as he wants to make a dramatic change in his life, it feels like an especially bad moment to give up a well-paying job. "I wouldn't take that risk now," José says. He's left wondering: If not now, when? In the clichéd fantasy of the midlife crisis — the one a lot of millennials and Gen Xers grew up with — you buy a red sports car and shed as many trappings of middle age as you can. Research suggests that at least 10% to 20% of the population experiences some form of midlife angst, which typically hits in a person's 40s or 50s. But a crisis can also be clarifying: an impetus to restart your life while there's still time, only now with the financial freedom and hard-won wisdom that was lacking in your early 20s. As two researchers argued in an influential 2008 paper published in the Harvard Business Review, confronting one's mortality can spark a transition from "deficiency motivations" — making up for a lack of something — to "growth motivations," when people can embrace the "freedom that only self-knowledge can impart." People are "looking for a revitalization," but have a hard time envisioning what would work — or daring to dream." It's a nice idea — if only the generation already in the throes of middle age felt like they could afford it. In today's erratic economy, blowing up your life to chart a more fulfilling and productive path can feel positively reckless. Many industries — from tech to manufacturing — are contracting, and companies are hiring at their slowest rates in a decade. Knowledge workers and creative professionals are being pushed aside by AI and other new technologies. A Glassdoor poll conducted in October found that two-thirds of professionals reported feeling stuck in their current roles, including more than 7 in 10 respondents who worked in tech. People are choosing to stay put in jobs they may want to leave. Going back to school is about 40% more expensive than it was 20 years ago. The increasing cost of living has made it more challenging to weather a pay cut that may come with shifting to a new career. In one April 2024 survey of millennials, eight in 10 respondents said a midlife crisis was a luxury they could not afford. Between the 10 midlifers I talked to for this story, there was no shortage of ideas for what they'd do if they were to blow up their lives. But they all agreed that this felt like the wrong time to put personal fulfillment ahead of being practical. The real crisis might be an economy that has so many people feeling trapped. Francesca Maximé, a therapist and life coach, has a front-row seat to this dilemma, though she prefers the term "midlife pivot" to midlife crisis. That's how she describes the shift she made in her own life a decade ago. After nearly 20 years as a TV reporter, Maximé, who's now 54, became disenchanted with how the media had covered the 2016 election. Some personal issues led her to therapy, which in turn inspired her to launch a new career that would allow her to offer that kind of help for others. "Now I work for myself," she says. "I have two businesses. They're thriving." She says many of her clients who come with midlife anxiety are hoping to make a similar pivot. But whereas she could see a bright future for herself when she hit her mid-40s, her clients who are reaching that milestone now say there are just too many unknowns in the job market and the economy. "They're looking for a revitalization in their lives," Maximé says. "But they have a hard time envisioning what would work — or daring to dream." Middle age may be a time when people feel they really know themselves. But it's also the time when a big shift can feel especially risky since they're most likely to have people counting on them, whether children, partners, aging parents, or colleagues. "There's nothing wrong with reassessing things, taking stock of where you've been and where you want to go, and making changes," says Margie Lachman, a psychologist who directs Brandeis University's Lifespan Development Lab. After all, you may become dissatisfied in your 40s simply because you're more clear-eyed about what you actually want out of life. "It's not too late to make changes, and you don't necessarily have to have everything figured out," she says. But older millennials, in particular, tend to feel like they've been casualties of periods of uncertainty that have coincided with key points in their lives. The dot-com bust and the Great Recession hit at the onset of their adulthoods and working lives; the COVID pandemic arrived as they were starting to reach their 40s; and now they're dealing with inflation and new technology like AI just at the moment when they were supposed to be nearing the heights of their professional lives and earning power. "Everyone experiences these same events, but depending on where you are in the life course, they can have differential effects," Lachman says. The sense that now is an especially inopportune moment for midlifers to take a leap of faith is echoed by Gen Xers. We should just be buying sports cars and accruing boy toys. But I guess we're doing something else. Jane, a marketing professional in Canada, has already had one midlife crisis. She got so much out of it that she'd like to have another. A decade ago, when she was in her mid-40s, Jane walked away from a career in PR and marketing and spent a few years working on a doctorate in history and traveling with her partner. It was, they thought, their "last chance to have the big adventure." (Jane also asked that her last name not be used for fear of professional consequences.) But when the COVID pandemic hit in 2020, and the academic path turned out not to be economically viable, Jane returned to the more stable world she'd hoped to leave behind. She took a job in content marketing for a tech company in Canada. "I've got, by any standards, a really awesome job with a really awesome company," says Jane, who's now 55. "I have no objective reason to feel dissatisfied with this. I should be grateful." And yet, the past few years have felt like being on "a treadmill that just keeps going faster and faster and faster, and you're just burning more energy to just stay in one place," she says. She's desperate to get off that treadmill. She still feels a strong pull to do community work or to train to become a mental health counselor. But she no longer feels confident that a job in her old field will be waiting for her if she finds she can't earn enough to keep up with the household expenses. She's already the oldest person in her company, and she expects AI will eventually take over the kind of writing she does anyway. She fears her 30 years of experience could rapidly become worthless. "I didn't realize that I would get slammed with being obsolete this early," she says. It can be hard to come to terms with wanting to shake things up — to the point of knowing how you'd do it — while realizing that doing so would be irresponsible. But the implications of being caught in a rut are bigger than a slice of the population feeling unable to follow their bliss. "People feeling stuck means that workers are less engaged with their work," says Daniel Zhao, Glassdoor's lead economist. "And employee engagement is important to productivity." Nearly everyone I interviewed for this story said they felt unsure that the path they were on was sustainable, since new technologies are devaluing skills they've spent decades mastering — let alone that it would offer them a lot of personal satisfaction in the long term. "You pass 40-something, and you start to become really aware how much time is left," gripes one millennial dad. "I feel like I am trading away fast-dwindling years doing insignificant things." Kara Haas, a 43-year-old living in Brooklyn, feels caught between a shrinking profession and more uncertainty than she can comfortably manage. Years ago, she dreamed of becoming a film director. When that didn't work out, she thought she'd found a still-great option working as a set designer for TV shows and movies. But smaller budgets and a steep decline in the number of projects getting greenlit have meant there's a lot less work than there used to be. Haas feels like this could be her last, best moment to switch to something different. She's thought about opening an Airbnb. But with less work, she has a smaller cushion to sustain her through a major transition. She worries about falling behind on her expenses or losing the health insurance she gets through her union. Haas sees only bad options, which is a far cry from how she imagined things turning out. She'd always assumed that her midlife crisis would at least be an opportunity to have some fun. "We should just be buying sports cars and accruing boy toys," she says. "But I guess we're doing something else." Whatever the state of the job market and the broader economy, millennials are certainly not immune to having a midlife crisis in the classic sense: feeling bogged down by adult responsibilities, like parenting, and regret over not getting to enjoy the fruits of their labor. For millennials especially, this can be exacerbated by other cultural shifts: parents, including dads, are spending far more time with their kids than previous generations; they take less vacation; and just keeping up with your contemporaries is more expensive than ever. By one estimate, the cost of raising a child has gone up 20% since 2016. "You pass 40-something, and you start to become really aware how much time is left," says Jason, a small-business owner in New York, who also asked to use only his first name in order to express his true feelings. As a married father of a 6- and a 10-year-old, Jason, who's 44, says having his life shaped by his kids' routines has both brought on his midlife crisis and kept him from doing much about it. "I've worked incredibly hard for decades and now have infinite opportunities to travel, participate in exciting things," he says. "And I'm having to say no over and over again so I can just sit at home and be there for bedtime. And that really kills me. I feel like I am trading away fast-dwindling years doing insignificant things." Maximé, the life coach, says the advice she gives clients who feel stuck at midlife is that blowing up their lives isn't the only way to make a change. She encourages them to think in terms of baby steps. "Start by imagining the perfect way of life you'd want to live," she says. "Then, figure out the practical steps you can take to get closer to that ideal." For a lot of the people I talked to, the most immediate way to ward off feelings of existential angst has been through forging deeper ties with those around them. Jane, the marketing professional in Canada, recently joined a dragon boat racing team and started volunteering at a local dance festival. She's embracing the idea of small-scale adventures — at least until a better option presents itself. J. Lester Feder is a freelance writer living in Brooklyn. Read the original article on Business Insider
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
13 Reasons Men Leave Long Marriages In Mid-Life
Marriage isn't just a ceremony or a legally binding contract; it's a journey that two people embark on, often expecting to last a lifetime. Yet, for reasons as varied as the personalities involved, mid-life can be a turning point where some men choose to walk away. This isn't just a story of betrayal or liberation—it's a complex interplay of emotions, desires, and life stages. Here, we delve into the undercurrents that can set men adrift, exploring why they sometimes choose to leave long marriages in their mid-life. As men hit mid-life, the once-looming specter of mortality becomes more tangible, prompting a desire for reinvention and rediscovery. They start questioning the choices they've made, yearning for a blank slate to redefine who they are beyond the roles they've played—as a husband, a father, or a provider. Often, this craving for a personal renaissance becomes an irresistible force, pulling them away from the familiarity of a long marriage. It's not about leaving their partner behind, but rather finding a piece of themselves they feel they've lost. According to a study by the American Psychological Association, the concept of 'mid-life crisis' is real, with men often seeking to assert their identity anew. They might choose to pursue passions or dreams they had shelved for years, only to find their marriage has become an anchor rather than a sail. This isn't about rejecting their partner; it's about reclaiming a sense of individuality. The marriage itself can become a mirror reflecting missed opportunities and unfulfilled potential, spurring the decision to step away. The gradual ebb of emotional intimacy can transform a once-vibrant connection into a hollow shell. When communication dwindles to transactional exchanges about logistics, men often feel they're more roommates than partners. This emotional void can become unbearable, driving a wedge that compels them to seek connection elsewhere. They may find themselves longing for someone who sees them anew and offers the emotional depth missing at home. Men, often conditioned to suppress vulnerability, might struggle to articulate this deep-seated need for emotional intimacy. Conversations that once came naturally now feel forced, and the laughter that once filled the room becomes a rare guest. This emotional distance can fester into resentment, making the relationship feel more like a commitment of obligation rather than affection. The quest for a rekindled emotional connection can lead them away, seeking solace in new horizons. There's an intoxicating allure to the new and undiscovered, a siren call that can compel men to abandon the familiar shores of long-term marriage. As routines become predictably monotonous, the idea of novelty offers a seductive escape from the everyday grind. Exploring new relationships can feel like a return to the vitality and spontaneity of youth, sparking a sense of aliveness that routine fails to provide. It's not just about physical attraction, but the emotional rush of new beginnings. Dr. Helen Fisher, a biological anthropologist, emphasizes that the novelty is a powerful aphrodisiac that triggers dopamine release in the brain, akin to falling in love all over again. This isn't simply about being with someone new; it's about rejuvenating a part of themselves they feared lost to time. When novelty promises a rush of emotions and experiences, the steady rhythm of a long marriage can seem dull in comparison. The pursuit of this high can sometimes override the comforting stability of the known. Old wounds don't heal with time alone; they fester beneath the surface, and for some men, mid-life brings them into sharp focus. Childhood traumas or unresolved personal issues can creep up, manifesting as dissatisfaction with the marriage. It's not that these issues are born out of the relationship, but they find fertile ground in it, exacerbating existing strains. The marriage becomes an echo chamber, amplifying insecurities and fears they've carried throughout life. In seeking resolution, men might feel the need to start anew, away from the triggers embedded in their marital history. The partner becomes an unintentional reminder of these unresolved conflicts, often without either party realizing it. The decision to leave is not out of spite, but rather a misguided attempt to find healing and peace. Unfortunately, without addressing the root issues, they may carry these unresolved problems into new relationships, continuing the cycle. As careers plateau and retirement looms, men often face an existential question: What's next? The roles that once defined them no longer hold the same weight, leading to a crisis of purpose that seeps into their marriage. Without the distraction of career ambitions or the demands of young children, they're left to confront a void that's both terrifying and liberating. This search for purpose can put severe strain on the marriage, as the partner might not understand this internal upheaval. Research from the Harvard Study of Adult Development highlights that purpose in life significantly impacts overall happiness and well-being. For many men, their roles as breadwinners or achievers fade, and they grapple with finding new meaning. The marriage, once a collaborative journey, can feel stifling if one partner is seeking directions the other cannot comprehend. This quest for newfound purpose can drive them away in hopes of finding clarity and fulfillment elsewhere. Expectations can be silent killers of a marriage, especially when they're unmet. Over the years, men might accumulate a litany of unspoken hopes and dreams that reality never quite matched. They might find themselves holding onto memories of what marriage was supposed to be, rather than what it is. This gap between expectation and reality can create a sense of disillusionment, pushing them to seek what they couldn't find at home. These unmet expectations often stem from societal pressures and personal fantasies, which collide with the harsh truths of everyday life. When the fairy tale gives way to the mundane, the dissatisfaction can become overwhelming. Men might feel trapped in a cycle of disappointment, unable to reconcile the partner they imagined with the one they have. The yearning for an ideal marriage can turn into an impetus to leave, in search of a relationship that seems more in line with their dreams. After years of shared decisions and mutual compromises, the desire for personal independence can become a powerful motivator. Men might find themselves longing for the freedom to make choices without the weight of familial obligation. This isn't about selfishness; it's about reclaiming a sense of autonomy that's been diluted by decades of partnership. The allure of being answerable only to oneself can become irresistible. Sociologist Eric Klinenberg suggests in his work that the growing trend of living alone is partly driven by a desire for personal autonomy and self-exploration. For some, the prospect of carving out a space for themselves, free from the expectations of a partner, is deeply appealing. The marriage that once felt like a joint venture can become a cage, limiting their ability to explore personal growth. Seeking autonomy is often an attempt to rediscover their own desires and aspirations, unfettered by the ties of marriage. The emotional labor of maintaining a marriage can be exhausting, especially when it feels unreciprocated or unnoticed. Men might find themselves emotionally drained, having given all they can without feeling recharged. This burnout can lead to a desire to step away from the relationship, not because of a lack of love but due to sheer emotional fatigue. They might feel that leaving is the only way to recover their emotional well-being. In many cases, this burnout isn't recognized until it reaches a critical point where even small tasks feel monumental. The marriage that once provided emotional solace now feels like a burden they're too tired to carry. The decision to leave is often seen as self-preservation, a way to reclaim their emotional energy. It's a complicated dance of self-care and self-doubt, leaving them torn between staying and preserving their emotional health. Growth is an inherent part of life, but when partners grow in different directions, the chasm can become insurmountable. Men might find that their personal evolution no longer aligns with their partner's, leading to a sense of being out of sync. This isn't about one partner being right or wrong, but rather about a shift in compatibility over time. The realization that their paths have diverged can be a catalyst for leaving, seeking someone whose journey aligns more closely with their own. The growth that once brought them together now becomes the very thing that pulls them apart. Shared dreams can transition into individual aspirations, creating a divide that feels too wide to bridge. When efforts to reconnect fail, the prospect of starting fresh becomes appealing. The decision to part ways is often tinged with sadness, yet it's driven by the hope of finding a partnership that matches their current selves. Financial stress is a silent predator that can erode the foundation of even the strongest marriages. For men, the burden of financial responsibility can feel overwhelming, especially if they perceive themselves as failing in this role. Money issues can lead to feelings of inadequacy and shame, which spill over into the marital relationship. The pressure to provide combined with financial instability can make the idea of leaving seem like the lesser of two evils. Disagreements over finances can exacerbate existing tensions, turning money into a battleground rather than a shared resource. When financial struggles dominate the relationship, they can overshadow love and commitment. Men may choose to leave in hopes of finding financial stability on their own terms. This decision, painful as it is, often feels like a necessary step towards regaining control over their lives. A lack of sexual satisfaction can be a potent force driving men away from long marriages. As intimacy fades, they might find themselves yearning for a connection that reignites their passion. The absence of a fulfilling sexual relationship can lead to feelings of inadequacy and frustration, eroding the bond that once existed. Seeking physical and emotional intimacy outside the marriage can seem like the only way to reclaim a sense of vitality. This dissatisfaction isn't always about frequency; it's often about quality and mutual engagement. When sexual intimacy becomes a chore rather than a shared expression, the disconnect can become too much to bear. Men might seek the thrill and excitement they once felt, hoping to find a partner who shares their desires. The decision to leave is frequently an attempt to reclaim a part of their identity they feel has been lost. Routine can be comforting, but for some, it becomes a prison from which they long to escape. Men might find themselves craving adventure and spontaneity, which a long marriage can sometimes stifle. This isn't about rejecting stability but rather seeking a balance that allows for both security and excitement. The allure of adventure can be a powerful draw, pulling them away from the predictable patterns of married life. Mid-life can be a time of introspection, where the desire to experience life to the fullest becomes paramount. The realization that time is finite can spark a yearning for adventure that feels incompatible with the responsibilities of marriage. In leaving, they hope to explore new facets of life, embracing the unknown with open arms. This quest for adventure is often about more than just leaving the marriage; it's about embracing life's limitless possibilities. Friends, family, and societal expectations can exert profound influence on the decision to leave a long marriage. Men might find themselves swayed by the opinions and experiences of those around them, who offer perspectives that can either clarify or complicate their feelings. The pressure to conform to external expectations can sometimes overshadow personal desires. In this tug-of-war between internal and external influences, leaving might seem like the choice that aligns most with the life they wish to lead. External influences often serve as mirrors reflecting back the discontent they feel internally. Watching peers navigate different life paths can evoke envy or a sense of missing out on alternate possibilities. The decision to leave is frequently shaped by a desire to fit into a narrative that feels more authentic to them. This choice is often less about escaping the marriage and more about stepping into a life that resonates with their true self.
Entrepreneur
16-06-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Why the 'Midlife Crisis' Is Just a Moment for Reinvention
A midlife crisis should not define you. Use it to make a change in your life and see where a pivot can take you. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. The term "midlife crisis" has been around for decades and has a major branding problem. The word crisis has a negative connotation. We think of a breakdown, a lack of clarity or a downward spiral. Sure, maybe it's a bit of those things, but that's not accounting for the full story. Let's flip the script. What if, instead of seeing it as a crisis, we saw it as a rebrand? A pivot meant to redefine success and rediscover passions on your terms. We don't have to stay stuck. The world changes, we change and what once mattered might not hit the same anymore. That's okay. Growing pains come with growth. The real problem isn't the shift — it's ignoring it. It's staying on autopilot, chasing outdated goals just because they once made sense. That's when you find yourself staring at a promotion, a paycheck or a milestone and thinking… is this it? Related: Is It Time to Pivot Your Business? 3 Clear Signs You Shouldn't Ignore That feeling? It's not failure. It's a signal. It's your gut telling you it's time for a reset. That doesn't make it a full-blown crisis. Your "why" isn't static. Our purpose evolves. What drove us in our 20s might not cut it in our 40s. What inspired us last year might not hold weight today. I've always been set on honoring a gut feeling, but I'm also leaning to recalibrate. Some of the best products (and people) rebrand. They don't just tweak their logo or hair color—they reinvent themselves. Poppi started as Mother Beverage, a humble apple cider vinegar drink, before a bold rebrand turned it into the billion-dollar powerhouse it is today. started as Mother Beverage, a humble apple cider vinegar drink, before a bold rebrand turned it into the billion-dollar powerhouse it is today. Lifetime Fitness dropped the "Fitness" to become "Lifetime," signaling a shift from just gyms to a full-scale wellness and lifestyle brand. dropped the "Fitness" to become "Lifetime," signaling a shift from just gyms to a full-scale wellness and lifestyle brand. RXBAR went from cluttered packaging to a minimalist, "No B.S." label, making it a category leader in the protein bar department. went from cluttered packaging to a minimalist, "No B.S." label, making it a category leader in the protein bar department. Phil Collins was the drummer for Genesis before launching a solo career in his 40s that made him a megastar. was the drummer for Genesis before launching a solo career in his 40s that made him a megastar. Paul Simon reshaped his sound completely with Graceland at 45, proving that reinvention can redefine a legacy. reshaped his sound completely with at 45, proving that reinvention can redefine a legacy. Taylor Swift mastered the art of evolution from a country artist to a record-breaking pop star and billionaire. Some of the biggest revelations come from the willingness to pivot. Why shouldn't we do the same in our own lives? If you're staring down a midlife "crisis," maybe it's not a breakdown — it's just time for your next great rebrand. Related: Why Post Malone's Personal Pivot is a Masterclass in Rebrands How do you rebrand the midlife crisis into a midlife breakthrough? It's about intentional reflection, honest questioning and trusting your gut. Let's break it down: Step 1: Reflect on peak moments Think back to times when you felt most alive or proud. Was it leading a team, mentoring others or building something from scratch? Those moments are breadcrumbs leading you back to what fuels you. Take note and adjust accordingly. Step 2: Ask yourself the hard questions Dig deeper. Ask yourself: Why am I doing this? What kind of impact do I want to have? Would I still pursue this if no one were watching? If your answers don't sit right, it's time to pivot. Step 3: Align your goals with your values Once you redefine your "why," make sure your goals reflect it. If your purpose is helping others grow, look for mentorship opportunities. If you thrive on creativity, start that passion project. Aligning your goals with what excites you ensures that your wins feel meaningful, not just impressive on paper. Step 4: Embrace flexibility Your purpose isn't set in stone. It's okay to pivot, outgrow old dreams or want something different. Give yourself permission to change course. Growth isn't about staying the same; it's about adapting with confidence. Related: If You Don't Learn How to Pivot Your Business, You'll Watch It Perish Step 5: Move your body Also, have you worked out or spent a moment in nature recently? That might be the most important check. Everything changes when you reframe your midlife shift as an opportunity instead of a crisis. Here's what happens when purpose leads the way: Clarity in decisions. No more overthinking. When you know your "why," choices become more apparent. If it aligns with your purpose, it's a yes. If it doesn't, it's a no. Trust your gut. No more overthinking. When you know your "why," choices become more apparent. If it aligns with your purpose, it's a yes. If it doesn't, it's a no. Trust your gut. Increased resilience. Purpose makes you unstoppable. When you're connected to something bigger than a paycheck or a title, setbacks don't derail you. You're not just chasing success; you're chasing meaning. Purpose makes you unstoppable. When you're connected to something bigger than a paycheck or a title, setbacks don't derail you. You're not just chasing success; you're chasing meaning. Authentic connections. People are drawn to those who move with intention. When you lead with purpose, others notice. It creates opportunities, relationships and collaborations that matter. People are drawn to those who move with intention. When you lead with purpose, others notice. It creates opportunities, relationships and collaborations that matter. Fulfillment beyond success. Redefining success on your terms makes every milestone feel richer. You stop chasing things for the sake of achievement and start building a life that excites you. Rebranding the midlife crisis isn't about having all the answers. It's about shifting from autopilot to intentional action. Whatever you want to call it: a revelation, rebrand, reset, etc. Find purpose in the pivot.
