Activity: The 'Midlife Crisis'

I always thought it made sense to get halfway through your life and reflect on how your life has been, where your life is going, what have you achieved or not achieved, how is your financial future looking, are you happy with your career, how is your relationship going, are you happy or not and from this reflection there might be changes you want to make to your life.  People go about this change in very different ways; some are destructive, some are positive, some are just small adjustments to their life, some are happy as they are, some feel unable to make any changes.  I never really saw midlife crisis as just a man thing.   This video hasn't changed my perspective a lot.

1. a point in life that either makes you or breaks you, a pop culture reference that was used alot in tv shows etc. 

2. really showed the science and studies behind this term 'midlife crisis'. fascinated with the 'u curve' reference. would like to hear about more research behind that term.

1. How did you perceive the 'midlife crisis' before watching the video?

Always through of it as man thing as I knew many men that got near their 40s and suddenly had affairs or wanted to relive their youth. It was like they were missing out on something. I have never really worried about age. Having lost my mum when she was 58 I always think of age as a privilege that many people don’t get

2. How has the video changed your perspective? I think we have crisis through out your lives and that every one is a lesson. If we don’t learn from them then we are destined to repeat them

The midlife crisis was always a common trope in media, especially in men and American tv shows which I frequently watch however I never really took it all that seriously and the video was nothing I didn't already believe

I have never really given this stage of life much thought, so my perception was pretty stereotypical, of a guy clinging onto his youth with the fast cars, new partners, jobs etc...

The "u curve" was a good visual, and I appreciate that this could affect everyone.  Now that I think of it I guess I am heading into this phase I can let you know how I deal with it - watch out for the sportscar in MIT carpark!! 

Before watching the video, my understanding of mid-life crisis was a social phenomenon of minority of middle aged group of people who compensates dissatisfactions by drastically changing their life choices. After watching the video, I've noted that while it is still statistically appropriate that only a small population would experience it, the concept of midlife crisis has a broader scope in a person's development and internal thought change. Also I am more aware possible factors such as self fulfilments, wellbeing, satisfactions in life in general, ability to manage life choices or level of stress. 

1. I always thought Midlife crisis was an excuse to fly off the handle one more time. Personally, I feel this stage was always an exhausting stage. Financial pressures, striving for that promotion at work, kids are young and need your time and trying to find work life balance. There is not enough time for yourself. And therefore you wonder "is this it?".

2. Other than not having enough research, not really.

I hadn't really given much thought to what exactly midlife crisis meant to me, I guess I perceived it as a time when people feel unhappy with their lives as they face ageing, and sometimes make big changes or do things because of that.

It has surprised me that there isn't more solid research on this stage of life, but I wonder if the coming back up the u-curve is due to people questioning what they really want and putting themselves first after doing what's right for others/family until this point.

1. Basically, people looking back on their lives and not feeling happy with their decisions and making rash changes.

2. The U pattern is very interesting! I never knew that. Also, how midlife crises are almost overused.

1. I perceive the stereotypical "midlife crisis" as an ungraceful transition into mature age. Being of this life transition age (and my partner a little further down) I much relate to it being a phase of reflection, re-evaluation, adjustment... there's much potential for growth as well as for destruction, depending on how you have built your life & relationships and the values you held/hold. In some areas the transition happens smoothly and with a lot of energy, in other areas it's less graceful. I'm surprised only 26% of people report of this experience, I guess it's a matter of definition. I've never transitioned easily and question deeply, lucky this age comes with a bit more wisdom and less impulsiveness :)   

1. How did you perceive the 'midlife crisis' before watching the video?
Before watching the video, I hadn’t really thought much about the idea of a midlife crisis. I just assumed it was linked to stress, since people in that age group are usually very busy socially and economically, carrying a lot of responsibilities.

2. How has the video changed your perspective?
The video gave me new reflections about this stage of life. I found the idea of the “U-curve” especially interesting—it showed that happiness is less about physical aging or external factors, and more connected to expectations of oneself. In other words, when expectations are lower, people often feel more satisfied and happier. After watching this video, I am also starting to think more deeply about the term “midlife crisis.” If this occurs more often in men, it may suggest that many men experience feeling low at this stage because they feel less satisfied or less successful in life, even after working hard to achieve their goals. This sense of achievement may carry greater importance for men compared to women, which could make them more vulnerable to feelings of crisis during midlife.

I perceived the midlife crisis more like a stereotype for men; they start to lose their hair, date women half their age, and buy a fast car. 

The video was interesting. This module has changed my perception more than this video. I feel like it's a long progression of things, more so than when you hit your 40s and bam, you're in midlife crisis mode, which is probably how I understood it in my 20s and early 30s.  

1. How did you perceive the 'midlife crisis' before watching the video?

I perceived it as middle aged men and woman in the mid 40s, who go through a stage in their lives where they're unhappy with work, marriage, having children.  I associated it with it happening to more 'pakeha' than polynesians.  The term is foreign in the Polynesian culture.  If there was a crisis that happens, we turn to our faith or family members for help or advice.  Its not a thing where you seek help elsewhere like counsellors or a psychologist.

2. How has the video changed your perspective?

It hasn't changed my view on it.

I perceived the midlife crisis as you dont want to see yourself as getting older so you go out and buy fancy cars/bikes, get a younger partner etc.

The video did not really change my perspective as I do think it still happens but a small percentage of the population.

I hadn't put much thought into the midlife crisis before this, I potentially always have thought about growing older in the back of my mind, I would love to turn these thoughts into positive ones thats fore sure. About 7 years ago my mum retrained as a flight attendant for air NZ, got a job and quit after one or two flights overseas, returning to nursing. I have always described this to others as her midlife crisis but in changing my perspective, what she achieved at her age was amazing and if anything, enhanced her life and career through new knowledge and skills. 

I always considered it an anybody thing but I found out it's supposed to have been a stereotype for men

I believe that "midlife crisis" has been evolving over the last few decades. Our lives are so much different than that of 50 years ago. I think it's always been a bit of a popular catch phrase rather than a realisation around happiness or contentment and then the process of making that better for yourself.

After watching it, I realized it's really a time of reflection and growth an opportunity to rethink life, set new goals, and make positive changes, rather than just a crisis.