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mid-life crisis

Start Here: Our Key Articles About mid-life crisis

Twenty (Or So) Questions About Midlife Crisis

Greg's picture

This "Twenty Questions About Midlife Crisis" section is an ongoing effort to collect all of LifeTwo's best information about midlife crisis in one place. »more»

Experts: Middle Age is Depressing

Wesley's picture

According to a comprehensive study of data from 80 countries, researchers at Britain's Warwick University and America's Dartmouth College have confirmed what people in their forties have known for years, middle age is indeed truly miserable. Researchers discovered that "for both men and women the probability of depression peaks around 44 years of age. »more»

Women and Midlife Depression: Is Everything You 'Know' Wrong?

Greg's picture

Empty nests. Menopause. Midlife crisis. Those are some of the reasons midlife is supposed to cause depression in women.

But as with so much information about midlife, that is at best only part of the story. »more»

The Hard-To-Pin-Down "Midcareer Crisis"

Greg's picture

"Midlife crisis" may be many things -- depression, a reassessment, dissatisfaction, or unease -- but a key contributor can be career issues.

But like so much about midlife, there is little hard data on what happens to midcareer adults. »more»

The Good News About "Empty Nest Syndrome"

Greg's picture

Hundreds of thousands of families will soon see their youngest child off to college, and that means an outbreak of despondent mothers and fathers suffering from empty nest syndrome.

Or does it? »more»

Why Gen Y's Midlife Crisis Will Be A Doozy

Greg's picture

What will happen when a generation that's been told it's special in every way faces middle age?

It's not going to be pretty. New research says that Gen Y is more narcissistic that prior generations. And that means they aren't well suited to the mid-course corrections necessary in midlife.

Gen Y's midlife crisis may be the largest in history. »more»

Many Midlife Traumas Can Cause Depression-like Symptoms, Says New Study

Greg's picture

LifeTwo has long argued that what many people call their "midlife crisis" is really their normal reaction to a crisis that could occur at any time, but happened to them in midlife. Their "crisis" could be their emotional response to divorce, death in the family, job loss, serious illness, or other trauma. We've held that one such type of "midlife crisis" is actually depression.

Now a new study shows just how blurry the line is between feeling down after negative life events and clinical depression. »more»

Our Most Recent Articles About mid-life crisis

One Treatment for Midlife Crisis: Healthy Food?

Greg's picture

Here at LifeTwo we believe that 'midlife crisis' is often a normal depression that happens in midlife. So anything that reduces the risk of depression also reduces the risk of midlife crisis. »more»

Who Am I?

hlesbrown's picture

As I've often written, midlife has little or nothing to do with age. It happens when it happens. It's a psycho-spiritual event, a transformation from adult to maturity, from self-confidence to serenity. The demarcation area (midlife) can be identified by one overwhelming feeling: fear. Even more specifically, it's a fear of 'losing it' (whatever 'it' may be). You don't even have to be able to identify what 'it' is: all you need to recognize the midlife transition is to experience the fear of losing it. Dealing effectively with that fear takes you to maturity; failing to address it leads you to midlife crisis. So, how can you deal effectively with what is very often a nameless fear? All you need to acquire (and, incidentally, this constitutes the essence of the spiritual transition) is a deeper self-knowledge. You don't really 'need' anything . . . you have everything you require.

Want some help? Here's a little exercise that I've put together for you to help you to work through this transition. The instructions are simple: a) Write down your answers; b) Do not read beyond this paragraph until you're finished with the exercise;. c) Work through each of the three phases of the exercise in order. That's it! It should take you approximately a half-hour to complete the exercise. Ready to begin?

  1. Complete this sentence "I am a _____________" as many times as you can, each time filling in the blank with a different word or phrase (a minimum of 20 times).
  2. For each of the statements you wrote down in phase 1, re-write each statement with at least 5 different descriptors (for example: "I am a married [descriptor] man [word or phrase from phase 1]."
  3. For each descriptor-word (or phrase) set, circle the ones that are virtually impossible to change (for example: your height, your IQ, your sexual identity). Make sure that you only circle the impossible characteristics, not the merely difficult.

When you've completed your list and circled the appropriate characteristics, only then read on.

»more»

Your Own Personal Stile

hlesbrown's picture

No, it's not a misspelling (and yes, I do make frequent use of my spell-checker). As our agrarian past fades from our collective memory, so will the images of pastoral scenes, farm implements, and, yes, even stiles. I even had some trouble finding a decent photo of one (and this one's from England, where the rural life still survives). What made me think of a 'stile' (a ladder providing access over a fence or wall) today was an interview I had last night with Rabbi Ed Weinsberg. Ed faced and overcame the challenges of prostate cancer just a very few years ago, and he's written a book that documents his story (and others) for the benefit of the 1/6 of all men who'll be facing that disease. For Ed, the experience catapulted him to a higher appreciation of faith, love, and even sex.

It's a fact of the human condition: transitions never come easily. They always appear as an interruption in the kind of life we desire and even plan for: a life of security, tranquility, ease, and peace. Yet, as I've written fairly often, the so-called 'interruption' is the reality, the sense of security is the illusion. Our 'common sense' lies to us, and tries to convince us that these disruptive events that come hurtling like projectiles into our lives are obstacles to our happiness and progress. Obstacles? Or, are they, in fact, the steps that take us up and over the obstacles? I submit to you that, just perhaps, these disruptions — even the big and painful ones — are what stimulate change and growth and that, without them, we'd face stagnation and decay. "No pain, no gain" is true particularly because every change involves a painful separation from our status quo.

»more»

What You Want vs. What You Need

hlesbrown's picture

Recently, from a business, personal, and spiritual perspective, I've been doing a lot of meditating on [apparent] failure. Right now, I can't think of a more apropos topic for people facing and experiencing the midlife transition. For one thing, your successes don't precipitate a midlife crisis. In fact, an uninterrupted string of successes can actually insulate you from undergoing the midlife transition, leaving you for longer than expected — and longer than necessary — state of im-maturity. When you're 'blessed' with success, you may be getting what you want, but to your own detriment: not getting what you really need.

I ardently agree with Friedrich Nietzsche that "What does not kill me, makes me stronger." The contrary, may very well also be true: What pampers me, makes me weaker. Getting your own way may, for a time, seem like a triumph; but, is it really? Does it actually move you forward, or does it, more often than not, lead you further into imminent trouble? Do negative consequences hold you back in fact, or are they, rather, 'medicinal blessings'?

»more»

Can you dress for social success? Using proven science can increase your chances of attracting the opposite sex.

amatchmadein7's picture

When taken in the context of dating, dress for success takes a different spin. Keep in mind that anytime you plan to attend an event where the majority of those in attendance will be setting eyes on you for the first time, you must do all you can to make a positive first impression. »more»

Governor Sanford - Give Marital Mediation a Try!

Laurie Israel's picture

Like many of you other mediators out there, I am always very pained to read accounts of our celebrity brethren who are struggling with their marriages. The media is insistent. The klieg lights focused on these people in distress are glaring. They are experiencing their own personal marital problems, but under a microscope of public view. »more»

How to create a lasting first impression when speed dating or networking.

amatchmadein7's picture

Who’s who? Why not show them the real you? »more»

Adult level question - Possibly NSFW

DazedAndConfused's picture

I have a question for which I have NO idea how to find the answer. »more»

What’s good for the goose is good for the gander. Top women’s traits that turn off men.

amatchmadein7's picture

Here are some characteristics which men have shared that they do not like in women:

Hair- Untouchable, over processed or bleached, roots showing, badly colored, extreme styling

Nails - dirty, chipped or peeling polish, wild or garish nail color, ultra extreme lengths

Clothing - too revealing, too tight, not appropriate for the planned activity, overdressed, untouchable »more»

What’s alarming about Prince Charming? Top men’s traits and behaviors that turn off women.

amatchmadein7's picture

Yesterday’s blog focused on how to make a favorable first impression. Sometimes, it can be just as important to know what to avoid. Today’s entry offers some traits which women have shared that they do not like in men:

Hair- Obvious comb-overs in order to disguise balding, badly fitted hairpieces, hair too long and dated, extreme hairstyles - too punk or too old, uncombed »more»

What’s not to like?

amatchmadein7's picture

What's not to like? First impressions count! Got an initial in person meeting coming up? Don't miss this week’s blog posts: How not to disappoint. »more»

Pink Floyd's "Keep Talking"

DazedAndConfused's picture

This is one of the most haunting songs I've ever heard. This song has to be about MLC, depression, divorce, etc. It starts with a male voice on the left and the female voice on the right. After the crosses, the sides switch.

"For millions of years mankind lived just like the animals. Then something happenend which unleashed the power of our imagination. »more»

What do you do if you hate yourself over an "emotional affair?"

DazedAndConfused's picture

I had never heard the term "emotional affair" before I stumbled over it in an online article about a month ago. When I read the column, I sat at my computer in numb recognition, followed by a sense of grief and horror. I was in one and I hadn't realized what it was or how dangerous and painful it was going to be. »more»

my parents midlife crisis.

maryam-m-m's picture

It was a cold Saturday and the and my whole family was was eating pop corns while watching a comedy movie it felt really nice..

i was talking to my mum about how i was worried about my brother that he wasn't good at school and you know all these kind of stuff but the answer was shocking my mum said"i don't give a f***." »more»

Looking for Mr. Goodbar: Women, Internet Dangers and Addiction

shepherdess56's picture

Wake- up America! »more»