Dealing with Midlife Issues

By Matt Lettington M.F.T.

Today I would like to help you explore the challenges and opportunities that come at midlife. You will have an opportunity to take a look at issues that are specific to the Baby Boomer generation. You will also have a chance to begin the process of your own midlife assessment with a list of questions. I call this assessment the Midlife Checkup.

Benefits of the Midlife Checkup

Taking the time to assess how your life is going at this point can result in benefits such as these:

• It can help you identify and intensify your inner strengths.
• You can find your own voice and express it your own way.
• You can accept your changing physical self.
• It is an opportunity to forgive those with whom you’ve been angry.
• It can help you find ways to reduce stress.
• You can learn to simplify your life.
• You can reenergize yourself in preparation for the second half of your life.

The Baby Boomers

The Baby Boomer generation is at midlife right now. This generation includes almost 78 million Americans born between 1946 and 1964.  The Boomers are the largest generation in U.S. history. They have had a major impact on American society as they have passed through every life stage. They are passing through midlife in their own unique way, differently from their parents and differently from Generation X, the group born in the years after 1964.

The first Boomer turned 50 at the beginning of 1996, and the remaining 78 million will observe this anniversary sometime between now and 2014.