My daughter recently got two guinea pigs. They’re cute little things – but boy, I now understand why they call them pigs! Not only do they squeal like piglets, but they make a huge mess!
Before we bought them, like any good, responsible pet owner, we read up on what owning the pet entailed. Actually, at first, she was going to get a toad, but that just was too labor-intensive, not satisfying enough, and frankly, too gross. So we settled on guinea pigs.
Everything you read about guinea pigs makes a huge point about how they are very social animals, and that you can’t buy just one of the little critters, you really need two – ideally three. And the cage? It’s literally the size of my daughter’s twin bed.
Inside there are toys, a variety of fruits and veggies daily, a little cave for hiding in and another little maze thingy. And my two daughters are told to play with them every day to keep the Piggies from getting bored.
Why do I tell you all this? What does it have to do with your midlife crisis symptoms?
Your Midlife Crisis Symptoms Mean You’re Smart
All throughout your life from childhood through your twenties you experience tons of change.
Each year you progress to a new grade with new teachers, new kids, a new room. You’re challenged by new work.
When you go off to college you’re in a new environment and you have a new set of academic and social challenges.
Entering the workforce presents something new. And even establishing yourself in your career in your late 20’s and throughout your 30’s presents new challenges.
Then you get to a place in your career and your life where people tell you that you should be satisfied.
But let me ask you this: Are you smarter than a guinea pig?
Because if they need all this stimulation, why does it make any sense that just because you’ve gotten to a certain age, or place in your career, or to a certain salary, that you should be satisfied and no longer seek any stimulation, growth or excitement in what you get to do day to day??
That doesn’t make any sense at all.
Plod. Plod. Plod.
But yet, when people express dissatisfaction with just staying put and not growing any more after a certain point, other people tend to call it a midlife crisis, whether it’s a real crisis or not.
The truth is, you’re probably just ready for a change.
Your midlife crisis symptoms mean you’re smart.
All the stuff that made you think you were having a midlife crisis really just means you’re bright, creative and passionate – and ready to use those skills again because your current job isn’t making you feel that way.
You’re also probably mature enough at this point to embrace doing something with your career that is authentic, whereas when you started you just did what was in front of you.
Even a guinea pig needs stimulation. So don’t worry about whether you’re “losing it” because you’re considering leaving your job, no matter how “good” it seems.
You’re actually just a smart, creative person in need of something besides a tiny little cage.
And it’s time to break free.
A much needed message! Thank you for an excellent post. I just happened to discuss this same issue on my site last week. There is a need to find one’s own true identity, and not allow society to label you according to your age. Great example using the guinea pigs. Excellent article, I enjoyed reading it!
Jaco Alberts recently posted…Do You Know What Some Of The Biggest Middle Age Problems Are?
Thanks Jaco!
When I think guinea pig I think of spinning round and round on a wheel – or is that a hamster? My son only had a gecko. Whatever, by midlife we’re tired of spinning or running around a cage, contained and trapped. A midlife crisis is really just something that happened to force a wake up call that it’s time to make a change. I like to call it a midlife opportunity especially for your career. Now’s the time to look inward and figure out what a meaningful career is for you and whether your current one can be reenergized to fit the your new perspective – or whether it’s time for something totally new.
Diane, the wheel is for the hamster – or the mouse, or rat, definitely not the pig. 🙂 But yes, that crisis is less about what’s wrong with you and more about you being ready to move on to something that’s more fulfilling and inspiring. I think it can be a really exciting time in life for so many reasons!
Love your analogy, and those little guys are so cute! I have mixed feelings about the whole “midlife crisis” concept because I think if there is a “crisis” it stems from losing site of who one is and what matters most in their life, so yep I totally agree with you about the importance of continued growth.
I believe the more self aware we are the more we’ll come to accept that it’s healthy to keep changing and reinventing ourselves. Heck, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve reinvented myself, and if I’m lucky I’m not done yet by a mile. Thanks for the inspiration Jess!
Marquita Herald recently posted…The Art of Reinvention
I love analogies and this was a good one! Enjoyed the post lady keep up the great work!
Thanks so much April!! XOXO!!
That’s a beautiful invitation for a woman to step into her awesome sovereignty: “You’re actually just a smart, creative person in need of something besides a tiny little cage.”
Great article, thanks!
Sue Kearney (@MagnoliasWest) recently posted…What are you called to create, complete, and launch?
Thanks Sue! It’s so true – the world deserves you being the smart, creative person you are, not the dulled down version of you that you’ve been forcing yourself to be.
Jess, I’m not sure about the comparison to guinea pigs or whether midlife crisis is about being smart, but I agree that midlife can be a time when we’re simply ready to make meaningful change.
Maybe it’s because we get to a point where we value our own dreams and desires more than our concern about what others think or expect of us. Perhaps it’s as if we reach a tipping point.
There’s nothing wrong with preferring something different than the norm (after all, we created/allowed it, so we can change it). We have the power to choose what’s right for us now… and go for it!
Marla recently posted…What Calls You Out of the Comfort Zone?
I agree with you Marla, about mid-life being the point that we value our own dreams and desires more than what others think or expect. I’ve seen that over and over again with clients who come to me and say “my family wanted me to be X and I did, but I never liked it,” or “I’ve enjoyed the prestige of X, but at this point in my life it doesn’t matter as much. I just want to be happy and do something meaningful.” At midlife so many factors come together including the bravery and self-confidence in oneself, a feeling that you don’t have all the time in the world, and some disillusionment with material achievements. All of those (and more) play a role and we decide that there needs to be more.
Couldn’t agree with you more! In fact, I felt so strongly about this subject, I wrote a whole blog on the subject, “Why We Should Embrace Change.” As I wrote in my article, maybe it’s time to let go of that miserable job and struggle at something we love instead of succeeding at something we loathe. Or if that’s too drastic, how about letting go of bad health habits that are holding us back? Or ditching those same-o boring routines? Even the smallest change can inspire more adventure, joy, and happiness. Loved the comparison you made to the guinea pigs in the beginning of your blog. Brought the point home. Great article!
Julie Gorges recently posted…What Are Your Life’s Happiest Moments?
Thanks Julie! We do deserve to be happy, and we have to embrace the changes that will support that. You have to DO what makes you happy – happiness is as much an activity as it is an action.
So many changes in my life right now!
I agree, we need stimulation throughout our lives ~ what kind just changes as we move forward and grow!
Dale recently posted…Sunday Gratitude – February 8, 2014
Hi Dale! Changes?? Well, I hope they are good ones. Grow no moss, as they say!
As a long-term guinea pig owner, I enjoyed this post. Of course, the title is what pulled me in. I don’t think “crisis” at all; personally I call my questioning and re-adjustments an “awakening.” Still haven’t reached a new destination, and life in Limbo is not fun, but I definitely feel smart rather than continuing on with a life that wasn’t right and a job/career that became intolerable. Life’s too short to “plod plod plod”… certainly guinea pigs remind us of that, too. Their whole life is a few years, so it’s important (I think, as a pet owner) we maximize their happiness and well-being to make every moment count!
Life is too short to plod. Get out of that cage! 🙂 Ok, rant over. . . now, comes the hard part. What to do. The limbo, as you call it. This is where the hard work is. So many things out there urge you to make that first move and “wake up” to a more passionate life, but the truth is a big part of the problem is the fear of the limbo. It’s almost easier to stay stuck. So my hat is off to you for facing it. I will say that you will come out the other side. I’m glad you’re here!
Hi Jess,
I only recently realized that I was facing midlife career crisis because I am too brilliant. I was skeptical when a colleague first said that. But now that you mention it, I am convinced. I already downloaded your ebook from a giveaway event. Thank you for your insights.
All the best,
Rosina
Hi Rosina,
I know that it’s true. So many people go through this, it just seems like a “developmental” change. We all reach a place in our lives where we need to stretch our brains, see what’s out there for us, and feel something deep and meaningful right at about 40ish. . . it just means you’re alive and awake! Good luck. 🙂