The dreaded crisis of 40

It is women who seem to suffer the most from the so-called mid-life crisis.. This is because they go through a biological stage in which they are neither young nor old. So, how to overcome this crisis or simply prevent it from appearing?

You may be afraid of getting older or of stopping being young. Or both at the same time. The truth is that the midlife crisis is suffered by the vast majority of women and also by many men. In the female case, the fact of beginning to go through menopause is added. and the symptoms it entails, both physical and psychological.

The “midlife crisis” does not appear just the day the person blows out the 40 candles. It may develop a little earlier or later. It is time to start analyzing what has been done so far. and the pending issues that remain to be resolved. Without a doubt, in some cases the idea of ​​retirement is already on the mind (although it is still many years away).

Characteristics of the crisis of 40

Experts indicate that there are two types of age-related crises. One of them is evolutionary, which has to do with our age and our biological changes. The other is circumstantial, motivated by changes in the environment but that also affects us personally. The 40-year crisis is evolutionary in nature.

Symptoms may be accompanied by depression and anxiety, especially due to social and family pressures when reaching a certain age. For example, if that person has not yet gotten married or had children, has not gotten a good job, or has not bought a house, studies say that they are more likely to feel sad than someone who has met those cultural guidelines.

The reasons for this crisis are diverse, but the most frequent are insecurity, excessive responsibility or routine. for a long time. They are also having conflictive partners, realizing mistakes made, boredom or lack of clear objectives.

Daniel Levinson, American psychologist, pioneer in applying this notion of the “midlife crisis” to psychology., presents his Theory of the Structure of Life (1986) organized in stages. The arrival of the fourth decade of life would be part of middle adulthood and would be characterized by people becoming aware that they will not be able to achieve all the goals they wanted to achieve.

Thus, from that age, people fantasize about a tentative life plan; little thought out and based on somewhat utopian illusions. In that sense, this author considers that in men, the majority of these desires are related to work occupations and focused on personal or spiritual growth. While, in women, this idyllic dream revolves more around marriage and family. It would therefore be this comparison between the achievements achieved and the idyllic life plan that would be the genesis of the midlife crisis.

A new perspective

Definitely, One of the most important signs of the crisis at 40 is the need to be “young” again., that is, being 20 years old again. This leads to the search for new experiences, to do things that had not been possible before for various reasons, dressing like a teenager, frequenting bars or clubs, etc.

This new attitude towards life can become a wonderful new awakening, in a motivation that takes us out of our routine and enriches our lives. But it can also cause great nostalgia that paralyzes us and makes us begin to sleep deeply about what was, forgetting that we still have a lot of things to do.

The positive change that can emanate from this crisis comes in part from the acceptance that time has passed, without feelings of anger or helplessness. He also proceeds from not abandoning the present and the future to pay homage to the past.

What can we do in the face of this crisis?

It is essential to maintain a positive attitude. It doesn’t matter that they make you notice that you are already “older”, it is good to know that age brings experience, anecdotes and knowledge. You still have many years ahead of you, it’s not worth spending them suffering.

Don’t forget to enjoy. The experience of having grown up and gone through many problems makes you even more interesting and prepared for what follows. You will have greater self-control and you will know the consequences of your actions. Remember that the best time is here and now.

Finally, you could say that you are in the middle of life. It is a good time to think about what you have already done and also about the future, because there is still so much to do. Any changes you want from now on will have to be evaluated and analyzed in detail.

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