Is anyone 50 soon? Or just turned 50?

[UnwantedGain]

How do you feel about it?
I’m trying not to feel like rubbish about it but it’s hard not to.
I feel doors are shutting, I also had my youngest dc at 40 so I’m still doing the school run with all the young mums (as well as some older ones).
I also feel more aware of having less life in front of me than behind me.
It’s making me feel low and I really, really do not want to celebrate my birthday this year.
I’m not miserable, and am thankful for all I have. I understand that it’s a privilege to grow old, and not die young, it also feels crap.

Very similar situation to you, midlife crisis is a real thing. It's entirely reasonable, it's entirely based on fact and logic.

The only way I can handle it is be keeping a running gratitude list in my head.

At the moment your circle of influence is pretty small, but you're vital. Not everyone is going to rule the world, get a PhD, build a house, or create a successful charity.

It doesn't mean you can't still do lots of things, but this is where you are right now.

With good health you could easily have another 30 years of creating, working, learning, getting/ staying strong, but just start now with hugging your children, and take a deep breath.

Middle of the night panic attack, or feelings of existential dread are realistic because we're aware of our own mortality, but by the same token, that same self-awareness means you can keep deciding to give more head space to the good stuff.

I really looked forward to mine and spent ages planning a party and a holiday. I’m 3 years younger than my DH so whenever he has a big birthday I know mine is coming up and always seem to look forward to it. I don’t know if this will be the case when I’m 60.
I was an empty nester though at 50 so I’m not sure if that makes a difference. I’d also started HRT about 4 months before so I felt over the worse as far as menopause goes. I got Botox for the first time for my 50th party and had my hair and make up done. Then when I went on the holiday on my actual birthday I arrange about 5 wonderful things and literally felt like a Princess so there really was nothing to not like about being 50. Lots of my female relatives have died young so compared to the alternative i thought turning 50 was fab.

@HelenHywater (love your name!) thank you for your kind words :). I wish I was in as good shape as you sound to be! And, yes, it is a very rewarding sector to work in.

Another one here who will have primary aged children at 50 (fast approaching 50).

I do get that feeling of lagging behind particularly as a couple of good friends (same age as me) are getting ready to wave their dc off to uni and my youngest is yet to start school. I sense how an empty nest might feel and I've woken up to the fact that I need other people/interests in my life.

Didn't really mind until peri-menopause took its toll as well as being diagnosed with m/h issue (which should have been diagnosed a long time ago). In some ways, I feel my life is just beginning as I have large age gap between dc and youngest will be heading off to school soon plus I might get some proper help for my m/h issues at last.

I would like a bigger social network as having a young family, I've never prioritised this and now recognise its importance plus I'm discovering what it is I really like - developing my identity which I feel has been missing. I would like to get fitter too. I don't think my forties has been the easiest tbh. I'm hoping my fifties will better.