I'm 48 and I feel as if I'm having some sort of identity crisis. I've noticed over the last few months that lots of the things I've believed in and held dear for years don't mean the same to me. This applies to political beliefs and my thoughts about other people and the things I've always loved. I am wondering if this is normal for my age, a symptom of a mild depression or just a part of growing older?
For example, all my life I've looked up to authority figures, particularly teachers, doctors, religious leaders etc. I've now lost any faith that they are better than me or even much wiser. I am afraid I tend to believe that they are just as likely to tell lies, slack off, steal, behave badly etc as me or anyone else. I find this quite depressing as I'm used to looking up and admiring people and it's now difficult to do this. Not making any political points, but I find it hard to idealise the NHS or its workers after some things I've heard recently. Politicians seem to have their noses firmly in the trough. Religious leaders have overseen massive child abuse atrocities. Teachers behave shockingly badly on EduTwitter. Universities seem in thrall to woke culture and to endorse groupthink. Kids go to higher education when they're barely capable of writing coherent paragraphs (except the children of MNetters of course!)
And finally, what if there's something you've loved all your life and it no longer "does if for you". Imagine you'd been passionate about music for over 30 years. Your spare money and time went on music, gigs, music equipment etc. Your loved ones knew you to be an authority on music, you could perform to a high standard etc, and you basically saw yourself as an intrinsically musical and artistically talented person. What if you came to realise over a period of time that music wasn't moving you anymore and you'd lost interest in it? What is left when you've defined yourself in this way for most of your life?
I hope some of you know what I'm getting at and thank you if you've got as far as this!