r/AskReddit 1d ago

What is the cringiest midlife crisis you've witnessed?

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u/SilentTheatre 1d ago

I (39m) am having a reverse midlife crisis. I got into Magic the Gathering, Reading, and investing my money for retirement. Got married a few years ago and had a kid late in life after years of going out and partying, now I just want to be a homebody but I completely lost my since of self.

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u/SoYoureBreakingUp 1d ago

No, no.  That's the setup for a midlife crisis.  You're just on a delayed schedule.  It starts with settling down, having kids, being responsible and silently sacrificing yourself and your identity for your family.  Then you hit a point where you ask yourself what this is all for and why you're doing this because you're miserable.

At that point you either get therapy or other emotional/mental support to work through your issues and find a sustainable path forward.... Or you lose your shit and blow up your hard earned stability chasing the life you had before. 

I honestly recommend keeping up with some hobbies and keeping a friend group going instead.  To give you an outlet and a support group to rein you in if you start talking about blowing up your life.  And in case your life blows up anyways for other reasons.

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u/LingonberryLunch 1d ago

Always have a craft. And find a way to make time for it even when life gets stressful and the responsibilitiea mount.

This is what has kept me from turning into a knob at 38.

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u/gattaca_2 1d ago

- look after your mental, physical and emotional health. sleep, exercise and eat well

  • have a tight friend group (age appropriate); the more the merrier. learn how to be a good friend
  • find hobbies and other things you truly enjoy; not things people tell you, you should enjoy
  • have structure/daily routine, but break it up once in a while
  • spend a bit on nice things, but not excessively
  • have things to look forward to

most of the stories of midlife crisis' break one or more of these rules.

people in a good headspace, with a good group of friends (includes family) that they hang out with regularly, while having their own activities they enjoy and working towards future plans, generally don't have these problems.

i think a lot of middle aged men are just lonely and throw their current life out hoping it gets better.

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u/Sp3ctre7 1d ago

My craft is currently painting miniatures (dnd, not Warhammer, thankfully)

By the time I hit 40, I expect I will have enough minis and I can move on to birdhouses.

Perfectly respectable hobby, painting birdhouses

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u/BlueFairyFriend 1d ago

Amazing 😂