to ask you to tell me about your mid-life crises?

[naughtynamechanger]

I turned 40 this year and have a terrible, growing, overwhelming urge to do something totally inappropriate. So I was hoping some of you could inspire me on how to have an interesting, fun mid-life crisis (preferably without really embrrassing long-term consequences). No interest in flash cars (good, can't afford them), woke up today with a sudden urge to dye my hair bright pink or blue - v dark hair so would be quite a fag to do, but might provoke a little frisson in the playground... anyone got any suggestions? :)

[DontCallMeBaby]

I took up running. I also want to get a tattoo before I turn 40, but I suspect that will surprise people a LOT less than the running did. Actually the running surprised me. I'm not claiming it's an interesting mid-life crisis, just an unexpected one. I'm hoping to have a better one in a few years.

[Cheaptrick]

get a group of friends together and go camping to a music festival, smoke, drink and flirt?

have a makeover?

get into sex toys?

try something new that scars you?

[Cheaptrick]

*scears you - like jumping out of a plain with a oversized hankie!

[hairylights]

When I left my husband (at 41) I was accused of having a mid-life crisis.

Turned out I had been having a pre-mid life crisis from ages 25-41 - I completely changed my life, and I'm now with a new man and pregnant at 43 expecting DC 1 :)

[ThePerfectShitStorm]

I'm climbing Kilimanjaro for my 40th, later this year. I'm bricking myself. It's completely outside my comfort zone, which is the reason I've been talked into doing it. Perhaps you could do something you'd never dream of doing in a million years and that scares the bejeezus out of you.

[cuttingpicassostoenails]

Buy a 100+ year old iron boat. Live aboard and spend your dotage (and every penny you have) trying to keep it afloat and in full working order.

[naughtynamechanger]

ThePerfectShitStorm - That would scare everything out of me. As would running. In fact any kind of sport would shock me more than anyone else.

Congratulations, hairylights. Glad it's worked out for you but am trying to have a slightly less dramatic mid-life crisis if possible. :)

Cheaptrick - already have the sex toys, been to some festivals within not too distant memory. Think this is partly set off by going to see Pulp play last week (kind of thing I would have done at the drop of a hat when younger). Really enjoyed it, Jarvis is 7 years older than me but not an old fart. And sings sexy songs with a very dirty voice. Aaargh. Need stimulation!

Thanks for ideas!

[Mumleigh]

since I turned 40 ( a year ago) I have taken up running and got into camping. ( those two things have shocked everyone who knows me) I am currently training for a charity marathon walk and today I went and got all my hair chopped off after having the same long and boring style since I was 30. I feel better, fitter and happier now than I did in my 20's. Would love a fancy sports car too but sadly funds will not allow it.

[Mumleigh]

oooh I was at Pulp last week too!

[naughtynamechanger]

Definitely too much running here. :( I admire you all humbly but the chance of my following suit is about as great as my getting off with Jarvis.

Anyone done anything more ...shocking... than becoming fit?

[naughtynamechanger]

It was great, wasn't it Mumleigh? :)

[hairylights]

Naughty - I realise that was totally off topic but thouht it might make you laugh.

[Onemorning]

That sounds fab, TPSS.

OP, I turned 40 on Wednesday, and celebrated by going to see Public Enemy play last night. It's not exactly life changing, but reminds me there's life in me yet!

[naughtynamechanger]

I'm reminded of 'When I am old I shall wear purple' (the poem); except she was talking granny-style age. So i definitely need to do something more than wear purple.

Purple hair...?

[Cheaptrick]

get a tattoo,

Get and drive a motorbike

Dye your hair red

get 6 months off work and travel the world,

[Mumleigh]

yes Pulp were great - last Wed at Brixton. I cried during Something Changed as that is a sort of "our song" for me and DH. Last time I saw them was at the V festival in 1996. I do love Jarvis! He is a national treasure.

[Tortington]

rhubarb confided in me that she is a secret rocking chair lover dirty woman

[naughtynamechanger]

Mumleigh - I was there on wed at Brixton too! with my dd, who is actually the one who's got me into Pulp - I sort of 'missed' them the first time round; too busy being sef-obsessed 20-something.

Jarvis is hot - or rather his voice is. Dirty lyrics too... Fantastic night. Been listening to Pulp ever since...

[naughtynamechanger]

Euphemia - considered that too, but not convinced dh would be thrilled.

Might be fun though...

[AuntieMonica]

have another baby!

i did

[naughtynamechanger]

[AuntieMonica]

we secretly call her our MLC

most couples buy a 2 seater/go abroad - we had to buy a new 4 door car and are unlikely to have another foreign holiday for years

[Cheaptrick]

I think its something that you really want to do that does not hurt any one.