40 Years - The Advantages of Midlife

Round birthdays from the age of 30 are often perceived as something daunting. It's not easy to suddenly feel belonging to the next decade. In the midst of this stage, one inevitably takes stock and reflects on the path traveled so far.

Despite knowing that I am privileged compared to many others, I am often permeated by the feeling of not being exactly where I should supposedly be. I also have the sense of not having achieved everything I once set out to do. At 20, I envisioned my life at 40 differently. An example of this is my financial security – in this regard, I haven't positioned myself as well as I would have liked. I still have doubts about my career and wonder if my current job is truly suitable for my entire life. Should I perhaps consider a career reorientation? These are just a few aspects...

This ambivalence is likely not uncommon. Statistics show that many people in this age group entertain similar thoughts. According to research, many individuals around the age of 40 experience a turning point in their careers and reevaluate their life goals. Self-reflection is apparently common at this stage of life. The so-called midlife crisis is often discussed, but the term doesn't quite fit for me. To me, it seems more applicable to a generation that entered the workforce very early, built a life with a family, a house, etc. By the age of 40, they were already trapped in the same patterns for 20 years. On the contrary, I, like many in my generation, feel like I became an adult much later. I studied for a long time, experienced a lot, found a partner late, and my first child is only 3 years old. Moreover, I have changed my profession several times by now. Whether there is a specific term for cases like mine, I do not know.

Despite the doubts, the age of 40 also brings many positive aspects. You are still young enough to have ambitions but also old enough to draw on experiences. I aim to leverage and consciously apply this realization. Additionally, I am working on being more patient with myself, striving to display less perfectionism, placing trust in life, and consciously appreciating and enjoying the beautiful moments – of which fortunately, there are plenty!