To wonder what's happening to my friends?

[Tex111]

In the last few years:

One friend has admitted he's an alcoholic and totally cut out the booze. Wonderful news and good for him. Unfortunately at the same time he's discovered religion, started condemning everyone around him and posting scripture on FB. In the past he was fun, hilarious and cheeky. Now he criticises people for swearing.

Another friend used to love his roll-ups and a pint. He's now Buddhist, has completely given up smoking (good) and all alcohol and become very pious and uptight.

Since having children a former fun loving friend has become maniacal about 'screen time' and organic veg boxes. When they visit she tuts at the processed snacks my children sometimes eat (biscuits) and asks if everything is organic (nope).

Countless friends who are training for marathons, triathlons and cutting out gluten/lactose/etc or have suddenly become vegetarian/vegan/macrobiotic/a pain to cook for.

What's happening?? All of these people are in their 40s and these changes seem to go against their personalities. Is it a middle age thing? I'm 43. Has it just not kicked in with me yet? I can understand improving health by stopping smoking, increasing exercise or cutting out alcohol totally (in the case of the alcoholic) but I don't get the judgey, sanctimonious intensity of their attitudes. These were all fun, laid back people. Are they going through a phase and will come out the other side their old, lovely selves or should I be examining my silly, sluttish ways and signing up for a marathon & veg box?

yes to a glass of wine in the sun

but ... but ... what about melanoma? and liver disease?

'The recently converted are always the most fanatical!' Oh yes that sure is true.

I suppose people feel that whatever they got away with before in their yoof the sands of time are running out to make amends and they start to veer off too far the other way to make up for past excesses fun. I can't say I've spent my 40's on this mission but it could kick in in my 50's (then again, can I be arsed?Er...No)

Personally I agree with Dahlen that it's some sort of response to the "is this it?" question, which roughly translated is also an "I'm unhappy with my life as it is" statement.

I am therefore deciding not to participate in any of this marathon running, vegan eating business, even though I'm at perfect midlife crisis age as I'm perfectly happy with wine swigging laziness what I have thank you

Abel & Cole do non-homogenised milk it is the only kind I have in my tea too

Well said Shedwood

they are scared of getting cancer?

find some new friends Op

I was 40 on Friday. I have given up smoking and joined the gym. I was thinking of going to church too

Hellllp

Tiger store?

www.tigerstores.co.uk/

Christ, I've stopped boozing during the week and recently ran my first half-marathon. Does this mean I'm in an early midlife crisis?

Jeez I can't think of anything worse.
Giving up booze and doing some exercise no thank you. If that's what happens when you hit your 40's you can keep it!

I NEED a light changing buddha now too. If one more friend tells me they're doing a triathlon, I will not be responsible for my actions removing their shoelaces until they come to their senses
I hope they all come to their senses pretty darned soon, if only to liven up the exceptionally dull conversations / facebook posts.
Unless "Ran 89 miles before muesli this morning" was because they were sprinting from zombies, I don't care.

My DH did exactly that at 50 - yoga obsessively, cut down booze and late night good. It's v irritating

Have to admit that DH is One of Them - started cycling & running to and from work, triathlon this summer, gave up sugar, thinks he may be lactose intolerant. Sweet Jesus.

I know this is massively sexist before I even say it. I'm gonna say it anyway. Men doing mid-life crisis yoga. There's just something not right about it. Sorry hanette - it's just the seriousness with which they approach the om, fair makes me choke on my chakras...

The other thing they do is go on courses - especially anything to do with conservation or something involving traditional rural skills, such as spinning wool or coppicing or boatbuilding. Usually, these are not cheap.

Marie Antoinette, where art thou?

Wilson I'm absolutely with you. You should see him in his shorts!!! Shocker

Crikey. I can only imagine his downward dog...

for you!

Well, I'm 41, started running last year, done two half marathons, and will do my first triathlon in June. But I'm glad to be doing something for me, especially after a life changing injury 3 years ago.

My mid life crisis isn't hurting anyone else (I make sure it has minimal impact on family time) or myself, so I don't give a toss what other people think.

Oh fuck. I recently signed up to Abel and Cole. I've just bloody aged myself 10 years! Didn't really so it because its organic though. And don't think I've even told anyone.
My friends are all in their thirties and they all seem to be running all the time and being smug about it on FB. I stick to eating cake

Oh God, yes OP!

And ALL the men in their 40s cycle now, lots of them do sponsored rides.

And ALL women in their 40s seem to run.

All the time.

They are all health and fitness bores now.

Some if my friends have not gone over to the dark side yet.

One floppy haired banker is now a communist teacher, he was ranting about private schools last week and how he would never teach there. I said" aren't your kids in prep school?!" Yes they are, he has not hot round to living up to his newly found principles yet...

Well I started running at 40, and have ordered from Abel and Coke ( but only because they sent a very charming and attractive young guy out to do door to door sales and he caught me at a weak moment )

I have an old friend who used to be very scornful of anything middle class. We both grew up in a very working class part of Essex. He once took the p* out of me terribly for going on a skiing holiday! He now belongs to the The Rotary Club and spends his summer holidays in Tuscany. He also denies that he ever lived in Essex.

Cole! Not coke!

Never expected generation X to turn out so boring.

The babyboomers, no they are having fun! All that money and boozing and smoking themselves to an early grave...

I'm 41 and my DH has become a frigging nutty vegan in the last year. Friends have also begun training for this run or that run. I'm still the same!