If you find entry into midlife has increased your anxiety, you're not alone. Studies find that a substantial number of people grapple with their feelings during middle age. Read on for tips from CreateWriteNow on how to find inspiration and positivity in this new phase of life.
Set a goal to strengthen existing friendships and rekindle old connections. Work on improving your communication skills, especially active and empathetic listening. Refine how you express
.yourself in a clear and respectful manner. Dedicate time to working on nonverbal cues that can say more than words.
If your current job has lost its luster, use your time and energy to pursue the career of your dreams. Don't feel overwhelmed if you need a degree to establish yourself in the market. Research online degree programs and available IT certification programs to create a plan to complete your studies while caring for your family and working full-time. A program that provides for certifications in addition to the degree can be highly valuable to graduates in the job market. The flexibility of virtual learning makes completing your courses much easier, and your experience may offer shortcuts to credits younger learners don't have.
For example, if you're an effective communicator and enjoy assisting others, becoming certified as a training and development specialist can remove you from a physically demanding occupation to one where you equip other professionals with skills to succeed. The competencies you gain are transferable to various fields, giving you increased job mobility.
The career you genuinely desire may be the one you create for yourself. Consider starting your own business and fulfilling your purpose. Prepare yourself for success by crafting a business plan. Search for templates that simplify the process, but remember to include these key elements:
A growing business adds to your sense of self and fills you with confidence.
Much of your pain and frustration can come from your slowing body that doesn't have the vigor from decades ago. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, take practical steps to look and feel better. Set a goal to drink sufficient water throughout the day. Start by drinking a glass first thing in the morning and keeping a bottle that measures your daily intake.
Add 20 minutes of walking or jogging daily to get the recommended amount of exercise for adults. You'll improve your sleep, gain more energy, and enhance your mood. You'll likely find that you want to increase your exercise program and achieve even greater benefits.
A journal can provide a self-guided journey through a significant transition. Find a workbook that provides prompts for writing and helps you reach your goals and maintain the right mindset. Take time every few months to review your writings and note your personal growth.
Share your wisdom and experience as a mentor to a younger person. You may have someone in your family or at your job who humbly accepts counsel and direction and can learn from your mistakes and successes. Even when you look back on regrets, you can relish the fact that the lessons learned are helping someone else.
Middle age can be your best years if you're intentional about your goals and purpose. Use your regrets and learned lessons to push yourself to make positive changes that help you regain control of your life.
Author bio: Katie Conroy enjoys writing and created advicemine.com where she shares advice from her experiences, education & research. She particularly enjoys writing about lifestyle topics and created the website to share advice she has learned through experience, education, and research.