If you are around 35-45 years old and find that questions like "What’s next?" or "Have I done everything?" keep surfacing in your mind, this experience is familiar not only to you. A midlife crisis is not a punishment but an opportunity to rethink your life and find new meaning in it. How to do this is explained by psychologist Lyubava Naumova.
What a Midlife Crisis Is
This period often arrives unnoticed: everything seems stable, but inside, there is an increasing feeling of comparing the years lived with what is yet to come, and worrying that "half of life is already behind." In reality, such a reaction often reflects an internal conflict — expectations do not match current reality.
Such experiences are not a sign of weakness or failure. They are a signal from the psyche to pay closer attention to oneself and reconsider what is truly important to you.
How the Crisis Manifests in Different People
During this stage, people tend to compensate for internal turmoil in various ways. For example:
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Men may seek new hobbies, extreme experiences, or changes in their personal lives, striving to prove to themselves that they are still full of energy.
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Women often focus on appearance, updating their wardrobe, or seeking active attention from others, trying to regain a sense of youth and vitality.
However, such reactions often turn out to be mere masks: the true reason for the distress lies deeper — in unfulfilled desires or a mismatch between current life and what you have dreamed of.
The Path from Turmoil to Personal Growth
A midlife crisis is not a dead end but a chance for a conscious turn. It can become an impetus for new goals and actions if viewed as a stage of maturation rather than a problem.
"This is a moment when a person can shift from an automatic life to a life based on their own choices and understanding of themselves," explains the expert.
Practical Steps to Overcome the Crisis
To ensure this period truly becomes a starting point for change, the author and psychologist suggest the following steps:
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Start a self-analysis journal — write down your thoughts, achievements, and desires daily to better understand what exactly causes anxiety.
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Add physical activity — yoga, walks, or running for 30 minutes a day help relieve tension and improve well-being.
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Practice meditation — 10 minutes a day provides a pause from the constant flow of thoughts.
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Reassess your goals — make a list of what you want to do now: new hobbies, courses, travels.
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Take care of your health — a full night's sleep and balanced nutrition restore energy.
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Find a passion — creativity, gardening, volunteering help fill the sense of emptiness.
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Communicate with others — support from friends or interest groups strengthens confidence.
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Consult a specialist — psychotherapy helps delve deeper into the causes of distress and find ways to resolve them.
Stories of People Who Changed Their Lives After 40
A crisis does not always mean a decline in strength. On the contrary, many have found their calling precisely in their mature years:
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Julia Child became a world-renowned chef after the age of 40.
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Vera Wang started her own wedding dress brand after 40, creating an international fashion empire.
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Daria Dontsova, after going through a difficult life period and cancer, began writing detective novels and became one of the most popular Russian authors.
These examples show that maturity is not the end of the road but a chance for rethinking and a new start.
