Mid-Life Survival Tips
Make the most of this “semi” sensible article, you won’t find many on this blog that have useful insightful wording like this!
Middle age, otherwise known as midlife, the rusty,starting to wear out period, — the glorious midpoint where you’re too young for that grandad moped (more on that here) but too old to properly understand TikTook or whatever it’s called!
It’s that weird stage in life where your back hurts when you sleep too well and you suddenly care about things like fibre intake and weather apps. Technically, middle age is somewhere between 35 and 65 (give or take a good 5 years either side). But basically, it’s when you realize you now grunt when you sit down.
If you go by the Governments old age pension criteria, then we’re not old until 66 at least, and soon it will probably be changed to when we die!
Plus, let’s not ignore the mental side of things — because nothing says “middle age” quite like a sudden bout of delusion triggered by a weirdly sad insurance advert starring someone our own age who looks nothing like we remember! .. “Blimey!, she looks old! I used to fancy that?” (the thing is, she has probably aged better than you!)
One minute, you’re in your 20’s listening to Radio 1 ,thinking, “40 is decades away,” and the next, you can’t decide on Radio 2 or JazzFM. Soon you’ll be Googling “best reading glasses” with a cup of tea and slice of the wife’s homemade fruitcake.
It’s a messy mix of figuring out if you’re still cool (let me just confirm…you’re not), managing responsibilities you didn’t sign up for, and wondering why it’s quite a job to get up off the floor. Fun, isn’t it?
Cultural Variations in Middle Age
Here’s a fun fact: not everyone around the world agrees on what middle age even is! In the UK, it starts the day you buy sensible shoes for “walking” and is confirmed when you ask, “Do we really need music this loud?” Started sorted your recycling? …Middle-aged. Genuinely interested in garden center sales?….Definitely middle-aged.
But across the pond, in, say, the U.S., middle age is often measured by milestone events — like when your metabolism gently hands in its resignation letter and you start piling on the pounds ( start? I hear you say!) or if your name is anything like Karen you start uttering, “Can I speak to the manager?” just because the young sales girl is wearing a short skirt.
Other cultures don’t all treat this phase like the end of the world it often feels like in the West. Take Japan, for example — many people there view middle age as a time when wisdom comes together, while the French (always effortlessly lazy about everything) tend to dismiss the concept altogether and just surrender to it (Classic British/French insult there!).
Psychological Aspects of Transitioning to Middle Age (The Minds Jelly Wobble)
Let’s address the mother in-law ….sorry, I meant the elephant in the room: middle age is weird mentally. One minute you’re care-free and looking longingly at women in their 20’s, and the next, you’re all of a sudden wondering about your “life’s purpose” and feeling bad about all that lustful looking.
There’s this thing that’s called midlife reflection , where you wonder if you’ve peaked, reached the top and stuck there, or just realised that you hadn’t even started and now it’s too late. Cheerful, right?
But it’s not all complete doom and gloom. For many, this stage feels like an opportunity for a new start. A start where you really don’t have to pretend to like stuff anymore just to fit in. Psychologists call this a time of “identity re-evaluation,” where you stop worrying about what people think. (Finally! It only took 40-ish years.) I know, I know, that sounds a lot like the whole gender farce stuff that is going around at the moment, but that never happened in our day!… well apart from Boy George, George Michael, Danny La Rue, Quentin Crisp and The Village People.. .. I’m not sure if that’s the complete and accurate list though, there may have one or two more “Lavender” characters about!
Of course, the challenges are real too. There’s the Physical changes: Hello, reading glasses and joints that click like bubble wrap. (read more here)
Shifting priorities: Work might feel like it matters less; time to get involved with an exciting hobby maybe. (read more here)
Inner conflict: Who even are you now? Are you still “you,” or have you been pretending all these years (back to the George Michael thing!… if you get the urge to go out and buy a Harley Davidson then you have your answer!)
Physical Changes During Middle Age (Keeping Mr Blobby away!)
First things first, your body seems to throw in some sneaky surprises during these years. Did you know your muscle mass starts taking an unannounced nosedive around the age of 30? And that’s just for starters. Your cholesterol numbers might look more like your electricity bill, and your blood pressure loves a drama more than a bored housewife on a Wednesday afternoon.
But here’s the thing: you’re not completely helpless. You can fight off Father Time by making a few tweaks to how you live. Think of it like fine-tuning a 80’s car that’s been around the block a few times but still runs like a dream with the right care. Here are some things to consider:
Eating smarter: You don’t have to go full salad warrior, but maybe skip the late-night packet of custard creams that were fine in your 20s. Focus on foods that help keep your energy steady, like whole grains and lean proteins.( I should put those words in dull green letters as that’s how appealing those foods sound!)
Regular check-ups: Sitting in a waiting room flipping through 5-year-old Womans Own magazines isn’t anyone’s idea of fun. But keeping an eye on your health can save you a world of hassle later…and we all look forward to that Prostate check don’t we?
Exercise, but make it realistic: No, you don’t need to sign up for an Ironman race, that’s just for nutters who refuse to admit their age. Just make time for strength training, brisk walks, or even a bit of stretching. Even if your bored out of your skull doing it, stick with it, your joints will thanks you later.
Sleep: Forget those “I’ll sleep when I’m dead” years, that could be a lot closer than you think…we have to admit that it’s one of those things that is easier said then done though! (read more here!)
Basically, it’s all about boring but thankfully small changes. You’re laying the groundwork so Future You doesn’t spend their 70s saying, “Why didn’t young 50 year old whipper snapper me sort this out?”
Skincare: Platforms like Instagram are buzzing with “pro-aging” influencers—and no, that’s not a typo. These folks show off their laugh lines like badges of honor and preach the gospel of things like serums, SPF, and face yoga (apparently a thing, and sounds more appealing than normal body yoga). It’s not about reversing time but embracing it with gay abandon ( why do we always end up back at George Michael?) . That said, if Botox or fillers are your cup of tea, go for it. Just remember: you will probably end up looking like you’re leaning out of a car window at 70mph though.
Functional fitness is all the rage— I have found Tom Morrisons Flong and Sexible routine is a great way of keeping your body supple and happy.( no affiliate link, just a genuine recommendation from something I have tried!).
And let’s not forget walking clubs (essentially, group therapy disguised as exercise) and even low-impact dance classes …in fact NO…. just stop there, we are going too far now, we are not 80 yet!
The one silver lining to all this tedious fitness stuff is that at our age we are not expected to have that rippled 6-pack anymore, in fact we would look a bit freaky if we did (that’s my excuse), just not looking like a fat Bernard Manning is enough to keep us happy. (God that man was funny!, not always “suitable” by todays standards, but FUNNY!)
Social Dynamics in Middle Age (Sounds Posh anyway!)
Middle age isn’t just about creaky knees and suddenly worrying about cholesterol levels in a pint of Guinness. It’s also the stage where your social life quietly decides to change. Friendships either level up or fizzle out. Back in your twenties, friendships were basically “We’re both alive and like similar things? Best mates!” Now you’re juggling friendships, parenting roles, and the small but mighty task of maintaining a marriage or partnership. It’s enough to make you need a nap.
For starters, friendships aren’t immune to the middle-age shuffle. Some friends suddenly vanish into the abyss of school runs or second marriages, while others pop up just because they’ve decided it’s finally time to socialize again after a decade of going dark. And maintaining these relationships? A proper mission. You’re trying to squeeze in quality catch-ups between everyone’s “life stuff” ( jobs, sick kids, and partners who insist you actually spend time together!). At this point, most mens friendships just involve WhatsApp messages sarcastically insulting each other with gay messages and the like…and that’s how it should be for us blokes.
Meanwhile, if you’ve got kids, you’re likely wearing about six hats at once. Taxi driver. Therapist. Chef. Financial consultant. Entertainment manager and Parent. If you’re married then between mortgage stress and whose turn it is to figure out what’s for dinner, it’s a miracle anyone over 40 is still speaking to each other.
The Impact of Technology on Social Connections (Nerdy friend Stuff)
Remember when your biggest tech problem was the VHS player eating your Blockbuster rental? Now it’s figuring out how your kid blocked you on Instagram or trying to decipher why someone hasn’t answered your personal message for two days. When did it come to this! ..we actually care about this stuff now!?
Social media is part blessing, part soul-destroyer for anyone over 35. On the plus side, it’s never been easier to stalk (sorry, “catch up with”) old friends from school who’ve aged either like fine wine or expired milk. But here’s the downside: trying to actually connect through a screen feels… oddly hollow. You now get a weird mix of virtual closeness and real-world distance. You might chat online daily, but in real life there’s a good chance it would be an awkward silence — when’s the last time you actually saw that friend over a pint? Exactly.
The middle-age trick is to use tech wisely — but don’t let it replace actual real human interaction. Unfollow toxic people, block that one friend who’s turned into a keyboard warrior, and stop stressing over which emojis “mean the right thing these days.” There’s still nothing better than a proper face-to-face chin-wag with someone you’ve known for years.
Education and Lifelong Learning (Miss! I need to go to the toilet)
Now, don’t roll your eyes at the mention of “education.” This isn’t about grey dull dusty classrooms or awkward icebreakers where everyone goes around saying their name and a “fun fact.” Lifelong learning is more about keeping your brain from rusting over. We’ve all felt it, that tiny increase in distance between the knowledge in your brain actually being usable…. sometimes this shows as a brief blank period while the thought load.
Learning keeps your brain sharp. Think of learning as sending your neurons to a gym — except no Lycra required. It’s confidence-boosting. There’s something very satisfying about mastering something new, even if it’s as simple as figuring out how to work your slow cooker. There’s something for everyone. Podcasts, online courses, books, workshops down at the village hall if you must.
Conclusion : It's Fine, Everythings Fine!
Middle age is a strange one until you settle into it — half wake-up call, half sitcom. It’s the phase where your body, mind, and Google search history team up to let you know you’re not 25 anymore. BUt dont panic, it’s not the beginning of the end; it’s just another messy, unorganised chapter in the book of you.
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