To think "Mid Life Crisis" shouldn't necessarily be a sneery phrase?

[NotPlasticSurgeryOkay]

DH and I have recently had milestone birthdays.

Our circumstances have changed - DC are mostly left home, or independent from us. I'm part time working and DH's business has changed to be more digital and WFH.

Because of lifestyle changes we've made a couple of significant changes to our lives and people's comments on these always seemsto use those tired three words.

We're not thrusting these changes in people's faces, they're just noticeable, just to clarify.

We see these changes as just the natural things that we've yearned for but the circumstances weren't previously correct. Possibly would have done them 10 years ago if the stars had aligned.

AIBU to think the phrase could be used without snippiness? A mid life celebration? A mid life change? A mid life contentment?

I'm in my fifties. I still have a teen at home so making changes isn't easy for me. But making changes in how you organise your life is a great idea. If people make lazy, trite comments, they are a bit pathetic.
Good for you.

Definitely. I like to see it as a mid-life review. You take a look up above the parapet and see if you want to make any changes to your current life.

I see it as a very positive time.

Ignore them they're probably just miserable people who are stuck in a rut.

But the term is often used to sneer

Usually when a balding 45 year old man goes out and gets a brand new, bright red, Audi TT

A mid-life crisis is having an affair with a 25-year old or cashing in your pension to buy a Harley-Davidson. It should not be confused with a mid-life reset which is a reasonable and positive adjustment to what this stage in life can throw at you.

Don’t be concerned if some people are too stupid to spot the difference. Part of the joy of mid-life is to give fewer fucks about what idiots think.

Agree. It's absolutely reasonable to get to a certain point in your life and evaluate if you are where you want to be, or realise that if you don't do something now, you might never. It should be praised, not scoffed at. People should learn, grow and change throughout their lives, otherwise you stagnate.

Thanks. I think mid life review is how we've seen treating ourselves to a couple of nice treats. We're in the correct place for it now.

What you are doing sounds positive and great, so don’t give it another thought

I’ve voted you are being unreasonable as you haven’t told us what you are doing.

(Looking for ideas)

Agreed. We had children relatively young, so now is the first time that we can have a "fun" car. It's not a crisis, it's just timing.

I want to know specifics too, not to sneer, but for inspiration!

Mid life reset is a great phrase - crisis insinuates you're being reckless I.e.buying far too powerful a bike for your ability level,