The following is an article that was written at Fabulously40 and Beyond by David M Matthews, author of "Every Man Sees You Naked". With his permission, I am sharing this exchange here at LifeTwo: »more»

What the heck is the Dorothy Syndrome and what does it have to do with mid-life crisis? Well, it has everything to do with MLC! The Dorothy Syndrome is a phrase that I coined and is the premise for my upcoming book titled "The Dorothy Syndrome: Mid-life on the Yellow Brick Road". While coaching at another web site forum, I started using the metaphors used in one of my favorite stories and movies..."The Wizard of OZ". I was astonished at how easily I could use the dialog from the movie or premise of the story to describe the transitions, emotions, the typical experiences that occur during an MLC, whether it be for the woman or the man. »more»

People have long debated whether there's something about middle age that makes it a uniquely trying time, and now a pair of researchers say they can show that around the world, happiness bottoms out in midlife. »more»

Gloomy Brits, upbeat Aussies, and the dissatisfied middle aged -- a worldwide poll provides fodder for many a stereotype. »more»

The UK's Independent asked assorted male writers what the worst decade of their life was. Perhaps they expected the answer to be "my forties," since a poll last week reported that in the UK, the male midlife crisis lasts from 38 to 43 (to see why this is probably wrong, see our "What Do You Mean There Are Four, or Five, or Six Types of Midlife Crisis?" and " Does Midlife Crisis Only Happen to Forty-somethings?"). But midlife wasn't the answer they got back. »more»

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»

Poetic justice was in the air last night at Sara Davidson's book signing at Dutton’s Bookstore in Brentwood, California. Davidson thoughtfully chronicled her years of age-related abandonment by the "Hollywood" establishment and much of the publishing world. An appreciative audience included friends, fans and family (including the father of her children, and her mother) -- the people in her life who never deserted her. »more»

A new study of half a million Americans and Europeans concludes that people are less happy in middle age than when they are younger or older. »more»

Writer Sara Davidson life was falling apart and she didn't know what to do.

"For the first time since college, I have no work. After 24 years and several award nominations, I can't get hired to write for television. I can't sell articles to magazines or books to publishers and I don't know how I'll earn money. ... During this same period, my lover of seven years, a cowboy artist I'd expected to spend the rest of my days with, rides off with no discussion. My children, who've occupied my first thoughts on waking and my last before falling asleep, are off at college. ... My kids, my lover, and my livelihood are being yanked from me at once and there's nothing I can do."

Why, she wondered, was she still here? »more»

When Susan Crandell walked away from her dream job as editor-in-chief of More magazine to become a freelance writer, she wondered if she would really find the better life she sought. Combining her newfound freedom and knowing that she wasn't the only middle aged person thinking about changing their life, she set off to investigate what she calls "life entrepreneurs" -- people who act on their vision of a "richer, fuller" future for themselves.

The result is "Thinking About Tomorrow," a look at forty-five people who reinvented themselves at midlife -- and the lessons they learned along the way. These weren't just career changes: these transformations encompass spirituality, education, and taking in the world. In turn, Crandell learned a lot about what goes into a successful midlife makeover.

She generously shared her insights with us in this email interview.. »more»