The definition of a midlife crisis is a transition of identity and self-confidence that can occur in middle-aged individuals, typically 45 to 65 years old. When I was growing up, that always meant a husband leaving his wife for a younger woman, buying a red sports car, and driving out of town fast. Having a midlife crisis seemed obvious and something drastic that you might do. But, now that I fall in that age range, I see that a midlife crisis can be more subtle.
Like trying to understand who you are at this age or finding your purpose after the kids have left home, or trying to discover what you want to do with the rest of your life.
It can be overwhelming.
So, answer these journal prompts to help you sort out your thoughts and feelings and to help you avoid a midlife crisis of your own. Pick the ones that make sense to you. Writing helps you become more in tune with your inner needs and desires. And if you can discover those and then take baby steps to achieve them, you may be able to avoid that midlife crisis!
11 Journal Prompts to Help You Avoid a Midlife Crisis
- What did you love to do when you were younger? What are you doing in your happiest moments? Are you able to pick up that activity again?
- Write about the children in your life, whether your own, nieces and nephews, grandchildren, godchildren, friend’s children, etc. What do they do that makes you smile? What do they do that you wish you could still do?
- List the best things in your life right now. What have you manifested that brings you lots of joy?
- Write a list of 5 things you love about yourself and why they make you unique.
- Find a quote that motivates you to pursue your desires. Then, write it down and put it somewhere you can find it when needed.
- What would you do if you won 1 million dollars and had to spend it on yourself? How can you take baby steps to achieve that same dream without winning the money?
- With that same 1 million dollars, you have to spend it on others. What would you do? Who do you think needs the most help? How can you help them without winning the money?
- What do you want people to remember most about you when you’re gone? I know that is a bit morbid, but is there something you really want to do before you die that you are avoiding?
- What qualities are important to you in relationships? Are you giving those same qualities back?
- Visualize how you want to spend the rest of your life. Who are you with? What are you doing? What do you look like? Where do you live? Is there a way to make these visions a reality?
- Who is the first person you want to tell when something bad happens? Then, how can you nurture that relationship?
How Can these Journal Prompts Help You?
These prompts may trigger some things in your life that need change. But instead of it becoming a crisis, ease into it and find ways to incorporate what brings you joy into your life now.
Writing is an uncensored outlet for you to write freely. Your thoughts and emotions can help bring more clarity to your life. Take a few moments each day to pay attention to those thoughts and emotions.
It’s possible with writing to do too much thinking and not enough doing. Journal prompts aim to open your mind to receive guidance from spirit/source/God/Universe as you write. It opens up new possibilities or uncovers something you have been holding deep inside you. Once you discover new desires or goals, you then need to create a plan. Break them down into bite-sized pieces. With each accomplishment, celebrate and then move on to the next piece.
“It’s never too late to become a better, more polished version of yourself. You can’t remind yourself of this often enough. Midlife allows us, even the responsibility, to discover who we really are and what we really want—to find our true purpose in life. It’s the perfect time to pursue your dreams, not to quit dreaming.” From this article on Today.com.
Use these journal prompts to reboot your life before you find yourself in a midlife crisis. This time of life in your 40’s – 60’s can easily be the best of all.
For more journal prompts and other ways to use a journal, check out The Living Marvelously Journal for $11.
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