16 Comments
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Abbey Algiers's avatar

I feel like I need to print this and give it to my 32 year old niece and say, "If you want the secret to life... read this now. And then put it away and read it every five yaers." This is priceless info. Thank you!

Marisa's avatar

I was going to leave a comment about an article i recently read about the neuroscience behind all this and i looked it up. Turns out it was your article! Keep up the good work!

Allegra Huston's avatar

That "knowing" before you start trying to rationalize it is your imaginative intelligence. That's the heart of my TEDx talk on the subject: how cultivating your imaginative intelligence brings you into alignment with your deepest self - not the self you're supposed to be.

Laura Mayer's avatar

This was such an affirming read! I’m 67 and still need to work on all of this! Thank you for the push!

SJ Drummond's avatar

Spot On.

Even though not every single thing here may apply to every one of us - we each have our individual battles to fight - take heart; this covers a multitude of midlife crises beautifully.

Laura Geiger's avatar

I've recently started to lean into the reality that my life is my own, not a performance for others. I am the author and curator of it. I really enjoy sharing my evolving expansion with others, but I remind myself I don't need anyone's permission to be fully me. Thank you for this insightful and spot-on piece.

Tara's avatar

I needed to give myself this at 37. Maybe 35.

Christine Sparacino's avatar

I remember so clearly the day when my therapist said “You can no longer tolerate what you used to” and the lightbulb went off! Tolerance running out feels like a doorway into a better existence.

Thank you! 💜

Katy Daley's avatar

Lots of truth here, but I’m tired of everyone acting like your marriage ending has to be part of this phase of life. Sticking together and making it through this phase of life, WITH your spouse, is worth talking about because men go through some hormonal shit too. The caring for aging parents thing hits us both. Becoming the “old guy” on the sales team at 55. Rough. Idk what to say to that.

My spouse and I need a playbook for how to go crazy and then come back to sanity together, together.

Feels that ditching your marriage is becoming a rite of passage and it’s tiresome to keep reading as a given.

Jennifer Hovestadt-Molloy's avatar

This really spoke to me. I've been there and in someways I’m still transitioning to what I want. Thank you for writing this.

S. K.'s avatar

I really liked the article and especially the last part about the clothes for myself. I took a screenshot of it. Life is better as a 68 year old since I’ve decided take it or leave it- because I can go both ways and still be fine.

SOL's avatar

Going through it and loved your re-frame on losing everything. Sometimes it can feel like a free-fall. Sending this article to my friends. Thank you☺️

BAS's avatar

👏❤️🤲

Natti's avatar

YES, Yes, and yes. It's crazy how much you don't realize how much we shrink to survive. I wish I understood this at 22.

Corina's avatar

Im 57 and would love to have read this at 47. Great heads up. Thanku.

Claudia Karba's avatar

My partner tells me I have lost my patience and I am just quick and too honest lately, and that I am scaring people off….

Thanks for reminding me the agreeing days to everything are pretty much over 🙏🏼