Midlife may not be a crisis after all

Psychologist Margie Lachman argues in her new book that midlife is not necessarily a period of crisis, but rather a time for experimentation and growth. She suggests that the 'midlife crisis' is often an accumulation of unacknowledged doubts rather than an inevitable biological or social decline.
Why it matters
It challenges common cultural stereotypes about aging and mental health, offering a more positive psychological framework for middle age.
Midlife may not be a crisis after all BIBLIOGRAPHY left For representative purposes Getty Images Getty Images https://th-i.thgim.com/public/news/national/vccjsa/article71501328.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/iStock-2293634460.jpg tabcreator Woman standing on an observation deck viewing a scenic mountain landscape Margie Lachman’s new book, alongside two novels, gives us a different way of looking at midlife — as a time to experiment and begin again Generally, by the time people reach their 40s, they may feel like things are falling apart. They experience what is often termed a ‘midlife crisis’. It is not always easy to say what really is falling apart, and there may be no single reason. This period can be accompanied by a strange sense of unhappiness: a feeling of missed opportunities, of a life unlived, and of an uncertain future. Several things may be true at once. There may be ennui with a familiar role or relationship.
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