Tag: self-help

Ryan Goodchild of A Pupper’s Love has been on here several times with tips on doggie care. He’s back again, this time to share strategies for boosting positivity and inspiration during a midlife crisis. Whether you’re in midlife or not, this article has lots of great tips we can all use, especially after two-plus years of covid. Take it away, Ryan!

Middle age sparks fear and dread in many people. Maybe you’re feeling unsatisfied with the trajectory of your life or like your best years are behind you. Perhaps you imagine yourself living the same day for the rest of your life with nothing of substance to fill your time. Or, maybe you’re dreading your mind and body gradually declining after going “over the hill.”

If you think you’re experiencing a midlife crisis, the first step is to recognize you’re not alone. Then, you must come up with activities and routines that inject a bit of positivity and inspiration into your life. Here are some simple strategies for doing just that!

Meet Some New People

Community is an essential aspect of human existence. Meeting new people who you enjoy can stir your soul and bring life a new level of excitement and discovery. Not to mention building new connections with people can spark creativity, boost your motivation, and inspire you. People need other people, so be intentional about finding a good community. Here are some places and ways you can meet new people:

Join a book club
Attend community events
Volunteer
Go to church
Join a sports league

Consider Therapy

If your emotions have run amuck and you’re having trouble self-regulating, seek support from a therapist. Today, online options for therapy provide easy and secure ways to access the help you need.

Without having to leave the comfort of your own home, you can meet with your pick of a variety of licensed therapists and unburden yourself of the things that overwhelm you the most. Many therapists offer a free consultation, so if you don’t click with the first therapist you meet with, you’re not out of money or obligated to return.

Improve Your Health

Poor health can cause a whole host of worry and pain. If your current habits and routines compromise your mental and physical health, build a plan to make improvements and begin today.

Start with small steps like drinking more water, visiting a general practitioner for physicals, taking supplements, and portioning your food. As you develop the small habits, start adding in new ones that require more dedication like regular exercise and changing your diet.

Learn Something New

One fear that often comes with getting older is a deteriorating mind. Many studies have shown that if you challenge your brain to learn something new and live as a perpetual student, your brain can remain young and engaged and make new neural connections.

You can pick up a new hobby, enroll in an online college course, learn a new sport or game, or pick up new books. Whatever you choose, just make sure that it challenges your mind and brings you joy.

Get a Side Gig Going

You can make almost anything into a business and earn some extra money. If you currently have a hobby you love that produces a good or service or are interested in starting one, then you’re off to a great start.

Many side gigs can be done from the comfort of your own home and require as much time as you’re wanting to put into it. The more engaged you are, the more energy it gives you and the more it redefines your sense of purpose.

A mid-life crisis is common for many people. Take what may feel like sour lemons and turn them into lemonade. If you feel uncomfortable or down in the dumps, this is an opportunity for you to find new inspiration and opportunities. The tips above will get you off to a wonderful start but keep looking out for other ways to improve yourself and your future.

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Thank you, Ryan, for all the great info. For inspiring stories about man’s best friend, check out Ryan’s website, A Pupper’s Love.

You’re already becoming Future You, but do you like who you’re becoming? Life coach Mel Jolly encourages us to answer that question and make the journey with purpose in Becoming Future You: Be the Hero of your Own Life. She writes with an easy, conversational style and a good dose of humor. Her personal examples really help the points she’s making hit home, and the questions in the free companion workbook help readers get clarity on their goals, dreams and desires and proactively move toward becoming the best version of themselves. At the end of each chapter is a recap followed by questions and/or action items.

Mel says, “Sometimes we create a vision of our Future Selves who is less stressed and more organized and has her act together… and then we continue to do the same things we’ve always done and wonder why she hasn’t shown up yet.” She encourages us to look at our thoughts, words and responses through the filter of whether it’s helping you become Future You, and to start noticing the difference between what Future You would say and do and what Present You is currently doing. Becoming the best version of ourselves takes work, but Mel encourages us to enjoy the growth journey and make it like an epic road trip with sightseeing destinations (your dreams) and a map (strategy).

Working to fulfill our purpose and become the best we can be isn’t selfish. Just the opposite. As Mel puts it, “It’s only in embracing your talents and desires and chasing your dreams and taking care of yourself that you fill your well. That’s what gives you joy and energy and enthusiasm, which you can then pass on to others.” She says, “Becoming Future You is not about being dissatisfied with your life and wishing it were different. It’s about listening to your gut, embracing who you truly are, and striving to become that version of yourself with joy and gratitude.”

Unfortunately, most of us carry beliefs that hold us back, and we unknowingly sabotage who we want to be in our future. Becoming Future You helps us identify the stumbling blocks that keep us from becoming the best version of ourselves and offers a game plan for overcoming them. One way of sabotaging Future You that hit home with me is committing to things in the near future that we don’t have time for now but somehow think we’ll have time for then. But Mel points out that Near-Future You is probably going to be just as busy as Present You (maybe even more so because we don’t know what unexpected things might arise), and Future You won’t thank you for putting that responsibility on her plate.

Mel poses the question, “Are you going to choose to be the hero of your story? Or are you going to use the excuse that you’re not in control and continue to let life be something that just happens to you?” I highly recommend Becoming Future You. This book isn’t just for those who feel trapped, stuck, defeated or sick and tired of surviving instead of thriving. It’s for everyone who wants to become the best version of themselves that they can be.

Purchase

Practical Strategies for Boosting Positivity and Inspiration During a Midlife Crisis

Book Review – Becoming Future You, Mel Jolly