Life counseling can help you during any stage of your life. However, a great time to seek it is during your midlife years. During this time, you are evaluating your life. You’re probably looking back at what you have and have not done and deciding what to do next. Do you have a bucket list? Time to check some items off! If you’re concerned about missing out on exciting life experiences, it can cause psychological distress. Perhaps you’re worried about aging or have been obsessing over the fact that you are no longer as attractive as you once were. Maybe you are thinking seriously about changing your career. Perhaps you are a parent experiencing empty nest syndrome for the first time. These changes can all be very stressful. There is a way to make this important transitional period of your life easier, though.
How do you know that you’re having a midlife crisis?
Are you experiencing a midlife crisis? How can you tell? Here’s an example of what a midlife crisis. Imagine that a 49-year-old man named Tim is coping with some serious life changes. His oldest son just moved out, leaving him with an empty house for the first time in twenty-two years. He is feeling anxious because his birthday is around the corner and he’s turning 50 in a couple of months. He feels a need to buy luxury items, such as a red convertible and a brand new motorcycle that are both sitting proudly in his garage. He buys these things to feel something. He wants to experience excitement and happiness, but those feelings do not last for long. Tim has been feeling depressed and can’t stop worrying about the future. His fears about the future don’t seem to stop, and he’s not sure what to do. He feels a little empty inside, but he can’t seem to face that emotional void. Tim is in the midst of a midlife crisis.
It looks different for everyone
Tim’s midlife crisis might not look like yours because everyone has unique experiences. Often, a midlife crisis doesn’t manifest with someone spending excessive money on fast cars or motorcycles. Sometimes, it’ll display itself through the person experiencing feelings of anxiety, depression, self-doubt, and other uncomfortable emotions. Your experience will differ from that of the people around you because no two midlife crises are the same. If you are struggling with how to cope with your loss of identity, you deserve to get help, which is where seeing a one-on-one life counselor comes in. Life counseling can be the thing that supports you during this challenging transition.
Transitional periods are hard and that’s okay.
Transitional periods of time always require some emotional adjustment. Midlife is not the first transformational period of your existence that you have experienced. Do you remember the transition from teenage years to adulthood? Here’s an excellent example of how one moves from one distinct stage in life to the next. Do you recall leaving your parent’s home for the first time? Have you ever broken up with someone after a long-term relationship and found yourself living alone again? Those are all common periods of transition that many people experience. You have been through life changes before and have made it through them all. These times can feel uncertain, and you may be feeling down or afraid, and that is okay. Life counseling can get you through these feelings and help you thrive.
How do you find a life counselor?
Finding a life counseling services (or any other counseling services) can be tricky. You can reach out to your health insurance to see what they offer, use an online search engine, or get a recommendation from a medical professional. Sometimes your friends or family might know a competent counselor or therapist they recommend. Another great option is online counseling. It’s accessible and affordable. Counseling is available both in person and online. Remember, it’s okay to feel scared about what’s happening in your life, because life is uncertain. However, talking to the right counselor can make you feel supported and on the right track to feeling a sense of wellness.
This is a featured post by site sponsor Better Help.
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