Originally Posted On: https://www.thepowerlifecoach.com/blog/from-crisis-to-awakening-navigating-midlife-and-loneliness-with-sabine-schopke

From Crisis to Awakening: Navigating Midlife and Loneliness with Sabine Schopke

Midlife gets no respect, let me tell you. And on first look, it doesn’t deserve it either. It’s the stage in life where things start falling apart and we desperately cling to the pieces, trying to keep it all together.

But I’ve learned something along the way: it’s in vain! We can’t stop this.

I faced menopause, my health started to decline, my kids left home, friends and family members have passed away, jobs changed, and marriages have gone through seismic shifts. Suddenly, we find ourselves questioning past choices and the very meaning of life.

Does any of this sound familiar?

It’s like a perfect storm wreaking havoc on our entire existence, throwing many of us into a major identity crisis.

All of this chaos made me feel anxious, disappointed, stuck, bored, unsatisfied, and downright panicky. Midlife brought a wave of worry that my life wasn’t turning out the way I had expected. I felt like I had missed opportunities, sold out, and ended up living someone else’s life. And the worst part? Time felt too short to correct the course.

To me, it’s no surprise that suicide is a growing cause of death among middle-aged adults. Also, the fact that midlife has been defined as a crisis makes total sense, because it can truly feel like one.

But here’s the truth: life does get better with age. So where’s the disconnect? The problem is that society just doesn’t understand or appreciate the upside of this era.

So, how do we turn this around?

By consciously curating the second half of our lives from a crisis into an awakening!!

I know it sounds a bit cheesy and challenging, but it actually is an amazing opportunity to get back on track of who we authentically are and what we really want from life. It’s a time for reflection and reevaluation, playfulness, growth, freedom and a ton of enjoyment.

And honestly, we don’t have a choice. We HAVE to face it because midlife is expanding. We’re living longer, and half of all children born today in developed countries will live to 100. Bottom line: midlife is getting longer, and there are more of us navigating it. We’ve hit the jackpot of longevity, but we haven’t figured out what to do with the winnings of a longer life.

So let’s do this!!

Midlife is a crossroads, full of exciting possibilities and terrifying unknowns. It can feel like a lonely journey—I know it personally, from friends, family, and clients. Feeling alone during midlife is the hardest part, and those who have done well for themselves often feel the most disconnected.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. Remember Albert Schweitzer’s quote: “In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.” Let’s be thankful for those who rekindle our inner spirit, because this way, we don’t have to do this alone.

And by the way: I didn’t do it alone either. And I have no shame admitting it. (And yes, coaches also have coaches!!)

So, how do you get happier as you get older? Come to terms with the fact that your journey is yours to define and take Albert Schweitzer’s words to heart. Based on all that, my number one piece of advice: get help.

Stop standing in your own way, insisting you don’t need help, and denying that this is happening. You have worked hard for this. Now get to enjoy it!!

For all you Midlifers out there: until now, life has been a dress rehearsal. But once you hit midlife, there’s no more time to waste. A perspective change on what midlife is all about, along with clarity on where you are today, compared to who you authentically are and where you want to be 20 years from now, will guide you through the midlife transformation. And let me tell you, with a little help, midlife can become the best chapter of your life.

If you’re not ready for one-on-one help yet, begin your journey to an authentic and meaningful midlife with my free workbook! Download it now to clarify your core values, dreams, purpose, and life vision. It will for sure get you started. And getting started is the most important part.

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