Life is looking up from 50
March 21, 2019
Facing the future with trepidation? You don’t need to as, for most of us, it only gets better.
Research has shown that today’s fifty-somethings feel physically and mentally younger than their years.^
The picture is even rosier as we get older. The 65 to 79 year olds are reported to have the highest levels of personal wellbeing, satisfaction with life and happiness.*
Unfortunately, moving through your 50s is often shaded by the ‘midlife crisis’ shadow. Since the term ‘midlife crisis’ was coined back in 1965 by psychologist Elliott Jaques, it’s become‡ common to feel apprehensive about the future as we move through middle age.
But the impression that it’s all downhill is a misconception. For most of us, life improves when we move into our 60s. In fact, research has shown that life satisfaction and happiness levels are at their lowest in our 40s and 50s but pick up in our 60s.
Traversing the midlife bridge
Going through your 50s can seem like a transition or a bridge from one stage to the next. Depending on your individual circumstances, you might be peaking or scaling down your career, supporting children through school, starting their independent lives or welcoming grandchildren, seeking out new hobbies, interests and travel, looking for a new direction and so on.
It can be a time of evaluation and restlessness, a questioning of what you still want to do and how to get there. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing as the questioning can lead to a positive future.
If you’ve celebrated the milestone 50th birthday and realised you’ve survived and moved on, you’ll be aware that we all pass through many stages in life.
Midlife dissatisfaction is ‘normal’
Author Jonathan Rauch, in his book The Happiness Curve+, observes that midlife dissatisfaction is not a crisis for most people but a natural and healthy transition from living a role in society which is dominated by ambition and competition to one which is more about connection and compassion. As he says: “you may feel dissatisfied, but you don’t need to feel too worried about feeling dissatisfied.”
In the US this acknowledgement that midlife transition is important and needs to be recognised led to the establishment of the Transition Network, a national community of professional women in their 50s. More than 2000 women now meet regularly to connect, share their experiences and knowledge and realise they’re not alone.
Appreciate the journey
So, if you’ve hit that midlife malaise and are feeling restless, uncertain and unsure where you’re heading, don’t despair. Recognise that it’s a normal stage of life and many people feel this way but life will get better.
Of course, there are some hurdles as we get older – a few more aches and pains, uncertainty about your future beyond work and challenges to face but you can expect a rosier future. Look forward to moving on to your 60s and 70s when you’re likely to feel you’re most satisfied and happiest.
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*https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/wellbeing/articles/measuringnationalwellbeing/atwhatageispersonalwellbeingthehighest
^ https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/age-people-are-happiest-study-revealed-sunlife-over-50-a7666626.html
‡ https://www.theguardian.com/education/2003/apr/11/highereducation.uk1
+ http://happinesscurvebook.com/