The 'Midlife' Crisis

Does anyone know when the actual age of the midlife crisis is? Because i feel like i'm currently going through it. I'm at the point where i'm working on discovering what it is in life that I look to achieve. What are the goals that I want to set out, both short and long term?

Honestly, I don't think there's an age. I feel there is a series of events that trigger this 'midlife crisis' thought process. When you end a chapter in your life and think of how to start the next, or what will keep the reader interested (or in this case how do you keep yourself entertained/interested in what you are doing).

You want to be creative but not to the point where you'll exhaust yourself and overlook the small things in life. It's a difficult task. As kids, we are taught that there is a certain map you have to follow. You go to elementary school, middle, high and then college. But everyone goes thru these steps differently. Some don't graduate high school, some don't graduate college, some take the route of travelling for a year. It varies. So don't sweat yourself when you are confused on your next steps. Just know, there is no map because the paper and pen is waiting on you to create it.

Investing in yourself

When you go to college, no one ever tells you that it's going to be hard to find a job. You're not told what kinds of jobs you CAN apply for, that you have experience for. All you know is you just spent thousands and thousands of dollars thinking you'll be guaranteed a job in the workforce.

The funniest part of it all is the entry level jobs for college grads require 1-2 years of corporate experience. Now explain to me how you can have experience if you were in college full time? To this day, still don't understand that one.

Eventually, you find a job where you can start to develop a name for yourself. (For some, getting this job after college takes longer than a year). The best advice I can give anyone in this position is to take on extra projects in whatever it is you want to do. Don't let that first job out of college be in a field you hate.

Why? Because people get comfortable. You are finally getting your full paychecks, treating yourself to whatever you want and living your first solo apartment. Why mess it up by chasing after your career? What if your dream career path pays less than you currently make?

Those thoughts swarm into your mind and you are thinking "I'm better off just staying where I am, as much as i don't like it here, I want to continue living my lifestyle" and BOOM! Years flash before your eyes and you are now at a company you never saw yourself at for 5+ years, still miserable.

Make your youth count. Go after those things that you want, the career, the car, the house. Everything else will fall into place.