Some
men confuse wanting off the rat race roller coaster as the start of a
midlife crisis. If you're confused, you're not alone. This article
tells you why confusion is a good thing!
It's hard to adjust to a world seemingly spinning out of control.
Getting ahead in the "old" economy is getting harder and harder. There
are limited resources for men who want to challenge the status quo, who
want to break out from the "shoulds" that rule them, who are confused
any more about what it means to "be a man."
While the physiology of male menopause is a measurable fact, I think
something else is going on here. After the initial years struggling to
achieve their career aspirations and role as provider, men would do
well in recognizing this shift as a desire for greater fulfillment
beyond work. Women have fulfilled their role as child bearer and
mother. We have no qualms in stating our needs once the kids are off
pursuing independent lives.
Rat Race Running You Ragged?
Most men are probably wondering, "Where the hell do I fit in anymore?"
Some men confuse wanting off the rat race roller coaster as the start
of a midlife crisis. But a crisis, when confronted, is an opportunity.
Someone once wrote, "confusion is the threshold of a greater
awareness." Most intelligent men understand this concept but tend to
judge it. I'm here to tell you that confusion is a good thing!
Think for a moment about Chinese handcuffs; the harder you pull, the
stronger they bind you. The same is true with confusion; if you fight
the fact that you cannot control your confused state, you will continue
to muddle along. Instead, consider the possibility that by adapting to
a new and changing reality, clarity and direction are yours for the
asking.
When we resist change, there is no space to move, to explore, to
expand. Just because the competitive landscape has changed and
relationships are often fraught with frustration does not diminish your
role or importance. You have the potential to be at cause in your life.
Maybe it's your turn to create, not compete. Give yourself permission to breathe.
Man-o-pause.com - For the Midlife Crisis Man.
Nicolette Beard is a former editor, publisher and advertising
executive. Currently, she provides insightful commentary on her blog
about issues men face at mid-life including male menopause, midlife
crisis, and being the strong man a woman wants on her blog. Hers is the
only blog for men written from a woman's unique perspective. Visit her
"Life Changing Resources" for ideas on midlife career change.
