Life begins at 40: the biological and cultural roots of the midlife crisis | The Royal Society

Coined in 1965, the term 'midlife crisis' is often used as satire in popular culture, with numerous examples of stereotypical depictions of rebellion and infidelity. It has been a popular focus of research seeking to explain why and how middle age presents particular social, physiological and emotional challenges.

In this lecture, Professor Mark Jackson, winner of the 2018 Wilkins-Bernal-Medawar Medal, explores a rich range of historical sources to argue that the midlife crisis emerged as a result of demographic changes, new biological accounts of ageing, and deepening anxieties about economic decline, political instability, rising level of divorce, and the impact of family breakdown on social cohesion.

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[corneliusjones]

Life begins when you delete social media, learn who your real friends are, and learn what is important to you.

[bea]

At 52 I started University.I will be 56 when I get my degree, but I don't care, I love learning and I'm living my dream.

[vlax]

My life started at 40 since I was in depression from age of 14 until late thirties. Depression took good part of my life and I do not want to miss a single minute any more. Have a nice day.

[Jenesis]

At 40 I began seriously preparing for retirement funds. I took up running, something I thought I hated and couldn’t do. For the next 15 years I ran marathon, bagged 10k high peaks, did yoga, and traveled to countries by myself. I retired at 57 last year and spent the first year self learn swimming to overcome fear of water. I have been singing satb and barbershop for 2 decades, too.

[Stranger_In_The_Alps]

As someone who recently turned 40, my biggest mistake was trusting others instead of myself

[ChillaBlaze]

You start to realize why people start to really excel in this age, also why large, multinational companies discriminate towards people over a specific age and it's because of the simple fact that they cannot be manipulated anymore.

[TheINFJChannel]

40 is when one finally knows themselves. For me, my 20s was about making mistakes and finding my path. My 30s was about observation and learning how to make amends. My 40s is about security and standing on my own two feet. It is lessons learned and putting the wisdom from the past to good use. I'm new at this 40s stuff so here I go ...I got this 🤜🤛❤️

[bro]

At 55 I never felt old until I got divorced. It was heartbreaking and at times I never thought I would get through it. But it also allowed me to focus on my health. Eating right and lots of exercising has done wonders for me. I’ve never felt better physically and I’m in the best shape of my life. I did my first triathlon a few weeks ago. I just feel like I have a new lease on life. I don’t feel old anymore knowing I can outpace many of my younger peers.

[Restiff]

I am 45 years old and I am healthier than ever in my life, I improved my diet, my relationship, I changed my habits, I started a daily exercise routine. There is no secret, just take the wheels of your life, like a grown man, and do what is best for yourself and your loved ones.

[hanhdo]

I am 62 years old, i feel like my life just begins each day

[viewfromhere]

An older friend once told me, “in your 20s - you don’t know what the hell you’re doing, in your 30s - you’re still figuring it out, by the time you get to 40 - you don’t give a sh*t, and by the time you’re 50 - you really don’t give a sh*t”

Turned out, at 45. I get what she was talking about. The quicker you don’t give a shhh about what other people say, the happier you are. So for all the young ones out there - learn this lesson early on and you’ll get to live a happier life for longer!

[LEPcv]

“We have two lives, and the second begins when we realize we only have one.”

― Confucius

[maazzzaa]

Here watching as a 39yo intern. Shout out to all those who start again.

[miketrevino]

Bought my harley at 38. Every year before that except for 2 i was a homless drug addict. Didnt care if i lived or died. Been clean for 3 years and i can honestly say finally my life has a purpose

[Dan.]

It takes about 40 years to realize that almost everything you've been taught was a lie. This realization takes a toll because you think of all the time you wasted.

[anastasiabrannan]

This was very interesting to me because my mother used to always tell me this. In her case, she and my father were having some of the best years of their lives, and I was actually born to my mother when she was 42 and my father 47. My mother went on to have a solid career well into her 60s, and my dad loved his work until he retired in his 70s. I am now 41 to put that into perspective.

[ssunkite]

Life begins when you stop kidding yourself and trying to keep up with the society's conforming norms. It begins once you look at yourself using the tools of truth and sincerity not whether I'm right or wrong but rather what works or not. Detachment from the tribe is extremely scary but liberating to be yourself.

[mikewalters]

Don't let your memories be bigger than your dreams

[ollyislands]

At 37 im finally beginning to gain emotional maturity and untangle from the need to rescue others. Loved my childhood but this next chapter feels like its going to be amazing.