Midlife Crisis – When Growing Up Gets You Down
Midlife Crisis…
The days of youth
Passed effortlessly by
Subtly silent
Without much fanfare
Nor accolades
The feeling that life is
Changing and transitioning
Comparing and measuring
Grey hair and wrinkles
Against achievements
Some find growing older
Leads to sadness
Their wishes unfulfilled
Many goals unmet
Feelings of regret
Questions, often
Leading to more questions
Struggles from within
Trying to understand
What and how and why
Like a night thief
Middle age has arrived
Unwittingly supplanting
Confidence and control
With crisis
Some resist
Racing to recapture
Lost youth
Symbolic purchases
Disconnections
Sports cars
Younger friends
New addictions
Botox and beauty treatments
Imaginary escapes
Staving off
The newfound depression
And thoughts of dying
With erratic decisions
And stimulants
The extremists
Playing the blame game
Try changing jobs
Or changing lovers
Their minds never stopping
Try not to fret
Its only middle age
The peak of the bell curve
Top of the hea
Embrace the change
In the second half of life
Set some new goals
Dance with who brought you
Renew your perspective
And live in the now
- When We Lost Control - October 13, 2025
- The Crumbling Space Around Me - October 10, 2025
- Sorrow - October 9, 2025
Yes, that thief in the night takes the youth of each of us, yet we still have our minds and spirit to keep us young at heart. To live in the now is best. This is a great piece, Ralph, and very well penned.
So true, many people put themselves through hell responding to the realization of age. I didn’t but my ex-wife after ten years is still going through a crisis of self-realization and acceptance. Sad really but the lesson has always been, live in the now, that’s all there is. Nicely penned and phrased Ralph. great work.
Sometimes I look in the mirror my friend and wonder, “What the hell happened?” – I have learned as I have gotten older to have a “want to life” instead of a “have to life” – enjoyed this very much and take care Ralph.