{"id":12080,"date":"2025-02-23T06:04:37","date_gmt":"2025-02-23T13:04:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/wakeupcall\/?p=12080"},"modified":"2025-02-24T12:24:36","modified_gmt":"2025-02-24T19:24:36","slug":"how-to-overcome-a-mid-life-crisis-whether-youre-30-or-70","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/wakeupcall\/2025\/02\/how-to-overcome-a-mid-life-crisis-whether-youre-30-or-70\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Overcome a Mid-Life Crisis (Whether You\u2019re 30 or 70)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>
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\"mid-life<\/a>
Is it possible to find purpose and contentment in the middle of life? | Photo courtesy Andrea Piacquadio and Pexels.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Have you experienced a mid-life crisis yet? Wikipedia describes it as \u201ca psychological crisis brought about by events that highlight a person\u2019s growing age, inevitable mortality<\/a>, and possibly shortcomings of accomplishments in life.\u201d And its symptoms can include a feeling of depression or remorse and increased levels of anxiety.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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While most sources say a mid-life crisis can happen between the ages of 40 and 60, another narrows it to ages 45 to 55. But the fact is\u00a0<\/span>a mid-life crisis can happen at any time<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>and is not restricted to this ten or twenty-year span. You can have what\u2019s called a \u201ccrisis of calling\u201d at age 30. You can also have one at 65 or 70.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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When the crisis strikes, you\u2019ll often have a sudden, intense realization that your life is not where it is supposed to be. <\/strong><\/h4>\n

At some point in your past, you zigged when you should have zagged.\u00a0<\/span>When this realization hits, you have\u00a0<\/span>a choice. You can continue to muddle through life, burying the feeling you should really be on another path. Or you can take action<\/a> and pursue your true calling.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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There comes a time in life when you hear the Great Calling. When we hear this inner voice, it is our summons, a holy message that we\u2019re at a crossroads and a new chapter of life is about to begin.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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The passage above is from\u00a0<\/span>A Fierce Heart, Finding Strength, Courage, and Wisdom in Any Moment<\/em>, by Spring Washam, a\u00a0<\/span>disciple\u00a0<\/span>of Jack Kornfield. Washam advises us that it our primary task in life to pursue this \u201cgreat calling<\/a>.\u201d She compares it to \u201cthe hero\u2019s journey,\u201d where an ordinary human being \u201cgoes on an adventure, faces a challenge or crisis, and comes out a changed person.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The idea of the hero\u2019s journey was first popularized by the great American mythologist Joseph Campbell who explained it in similar terms:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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Washam calls the Great Calling an invitation to adventure and a beckoning to a\u00a0<\/span>higher path. In her words, \u201cwe go inside ourselves and reflect on who we are and why we are here<\/strong>.\u201d The issue for many of us is that while we hear the call loud and clear, it comes without any real instructions. We know something isn\u2019t right\u2014we just don\u2019t know how to address it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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This is the time for introspection.<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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Washam advises us that \u201cif we listen carefully, we can hear a voice trying to get our attention and wake us up<\/a>. The first sign, or messenger, comes when our lives are no longer satisfying. We lose interest in the things that used to make us\u00a0<\/span>happy. The winds of change are blowing, and an unbearable restlessness grips our soul. The call speaks to us in questions: Who am I? What is my purpose? What am I doing with my life?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Yet the fact is no book can tell you what your specific calling is\u2014you need to find that out for yourself, which requires a little\u00a0<\/span>soul searching. While Washam tells us that the inner voice<\/a> can be frightening, we need to step up and \u201cpay attention to this calling, or the voice will get louder and even more disruptive.\u201d She goes on to say:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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When what has been comfortable isn\u2019t working anymore, it is a prompt to move you toward what you\u2019re being called to do. Life is shifting. You are changing.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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It\u2019s a time to discover our \u201cdeepest truths.\u201d<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This can mean taking up \u201cartistic pursuits like dancing or singing, joining a spiritual community.\u201d You might also consider developing new and stronger personal relationships, pursing a new hobby or vocation or perhaps moving to a new city or small town. \u201cIt\u2019s a process of\u00a0<\/span>self-discovery\u00a0<\/span>as we move toward a deeper understanding of our lives.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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As Washam points out, the journey<\/a> is not always easy. \u201cThe call to awaken is powerful and can be shocking and confusing, especially to those accustomed to our behaving in predictable ways.\u201d In other words, our friends and family might get a little freaked out by our actions and the\u00a0<\/span>new path\u00a0<\/span>or paths we are pursuing. Yet, for our own sanity and well-being, we must pursue them.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Washam reminds us that at the end of the hero\u2019s journey, \u201cthe hero or heroine returns to their community to bring back the newfound knowledge and wisdom<\/a> they have bravely acquired. Most significantly of all, they return transformed and ready to begin a life of service.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ultimately, you return a better person.\u00a0<\/span>By satisfying your calling, you find greater<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>contentment<\/b>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>within yourself and are better able to assist those around you<\/strong>. You have once again become whole, true to yourself and fully in touch with the gifts you have to bring to the world.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Have you experienced a mid-life crisis yet? Wikipedia describes it as \u201ca psychological crisis brought about by events that highlight a person\u2019s growing age, inevitable mortality, and possibly shortcomings of accomplishments in life.\u201d And its symptoms can include a feeling of depression or remorse and increased levels of anxiety. While most sources say a mid-life […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1184,"featured_media":12083,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[360,124,98],"tags":[1338],"class_list":["post-12080","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-contentment-2","category-purpose","category-well-being","tag-spring-washam"],"yoast_head":"\nHow To Overcome a Mid-Life Crisis (Whether You\u2019re 30 or 70)<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A mid-life crisis is more than anxiety\u2014it\u2019s a call to purpose. 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