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Mid-Life Crisis or Springboard for Change?

People experience mid-life crises for many reasons. Divorce, an empty nest, a death in the family, and even the realization of our own mortality can send us into what feels like a downward spiral. Often, a mid-life crisis happens some time after a person’s 40th birthday, and it can be a traumatic experience.

If you find yourself facing what you believe to be a mid-life crisis, there is hope. You can look at your changing world as the collapse of your youth, or you can embrace the maturity of years and give yourself a rebirth of sorts. 

Today’s post shares a few tips on finding inspiration within your discomfort.

Get help.

Some people turn toward alcohol and drugs during a mid-life crisis. Sudden life changes may trigger drug or alcohol use. There is no shame in reaching out for help if you feel yourself spiraling out of control.

Get cozy with yourself.

As we mature, we change. We are no longer the people we were in our 20s. This is a perfect time to enhance your self-awareness. The Law Of Attraction blog explains that there are many ways you might dive into who you are now. These include identifying the traits that define you in getting more comfortable in your aging body.

Start a new hobby like gardening.

Starting a new hobby during a mid-life crisis can be a great way to cope with the feelings of uncertainty and dissatisfaction it usually brings. Gardening is a particularly wonderful choice. Not only does it offer a calming outlet for reflecting on these life changes, but the therapeutic process of working with soil and plants can also help improve your physical and mental health. If you’re a gardening novice, visit HomeGardenHero for growing tips and advice.

Move for a change of scenery.

If you’ve experienced the loss of a loved one or a long-term relationship, such as a marriage or partnership, a change of scenery may be just what the proverbial doctor ordered. Give yourself the opportunity to make a fresh start so that you can live out the other half of your life on your own terms. Before you make a decision, scout out different neighborhoods by viewing listings online. Make sure that you search within a comfortable price range and that the homes you view are in close proximity to the things you need and have enough space for whoever will move with you.

Find your dream job.

Finding a new job during a mid-life crisis can provide an exciting opportunity to re-evaluate one's direction in life, set goals for the future, and gain confidence in taking the next steps towards greater long-term aspirations. It can also be a great way to combat any feelings of stagnation or anxiety that come with the reflection and introspection of midlife. To create a stellar CV, you can use a template for a CV. Once you’ve chosen a template, add your qualifications, font, and images. 

Travel alone.

Fear is often what keeps us from enjoying life to the fullest. When you find yourself in your 30s, 40s, or 50s, you have to let go of the things that hold you back. A great way to do this, which also comes with the added benefit of exposure to new cultures, is to travel alone. Ohio University also points out that you’ll meet new people, and traveling alone forces you out of your comfort zone and into a stage of growth.

Find counseling.

Counseling can provide insight into one’s life and help individuals cope with any crisis they are facing. Through counseling, individuals can learn to confront the challenges they face in their lives. Whether you feel stuck or overwhelmed in your career and personal life, need assistance in processing past mistakes, or are feeling intrinsically challenged by current dynamics, Counseling Colorado can aid you in accepting yourself, finding balance again and taking back control of your life’s direction.

It’s true that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to managing your mid-life crisis. But you can find positivity within the turmoil. Getting help, getting to know yourself, changing scenery, finding a more rewarding job, and traveling to new places on your own, are all great ways that you can springboard yourself out of a crisis and into life. 

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5 Realistic Financial Tips for the Newly Sober

Perhaps today is your first day without using addictive drugs or alcohol. Or, maybe you've been sober for a few months. Regardless of your current situation or sobriety, you may be wondering how to get back on your feet financially.

Long-term addiction can contribute to poor monetary choices in terms of your credit score, employment status, and living situation. The following are a few realistic financial tips for people recovering from addiction.

1. Don't Make Impulse Purchases

Shopping, over-exercising, and even workaholism can often serve as a distraction from the fact that you're no longer drinking or using drugs. Focus on taking things one day at a time and not giving in to impulse purchases to distract yourself from how you're feeling.

2. Break Larger Goals Into Small Ones

Perhaps your long-term goal is to own a home. Examine your current finances, health, and employment situation to determine which aspect of that goal you should tackle first. For example, you may need to focus on building credit, saving for a down payment, or attaining steady employment. If you're struggling with your health after quitting an addictive substance, seek professional help with this before you start tackling larger goals.

3. Develop a Budget

Creating a sustainable long-term budget can help you save and get back on your feet. Use a budgeting app or download a free template to give you an idea of what categories to budget for and how much of your money to contribute to savings and paying down credit card debt. You'll also know at this point how much you can set aside for a larger goal, like a down payment on a home.

4. Tackle Your Debt

If you've accumulated thousands of dollars in debt (or more) due to addiction, don't lose hope that you can fix your situation. Consider consolidating your debt or getting a low-interest loan to pay off high-interest credit card debt.

It's easy to be discouraged by a mountain of debt, but you're in a better position now than ever to tackle it for good. Remember that maintaining an addiction — once you add up the cost of drugs or alcohol, medical treatment, and potential legal fees — you're actually saving money by getting sober.

5. Overhaul Your Resume

By using a resume builder, you can give your old document a brand new look. All you have to do is enter the information and the builder handles all of the hard work for you. If you're having trouble with large gaps in your employment history due to addiction, sometimes the best way to move forward is simply to be honest with potential employers. If you lie during an interview and your employer discovers your dishonesty later, it may be difficult for him or her to fully trust you.

Many people dealing with addiction have a habit of lying to explain addictive behaviors, cover up poor choices, and explain away mood swings caused by withdrawal. If this sounds like you, you're not alone. Seek out mental health counseling through Counseling Colorado if you need help expressing yourself and integrating your new, sober life with your past.

If you've made the decision to get sober and start living a more intentional life, congratulations! Your road ahead may not be easy, but it will be more within your control. Use the tips above to make healthier choices when it comes to your finances, and you'll start reaping the rewards of your conscientiousness in no time.

Counseling Colorado can help you overcome anxiety, depression, addiction, and more. Call 720-336-0030 for a free consultation. 

Self-Care for Entrepreneurs

Admit it: in the craziness of running your business, you often neglect yourself. Your needs and health are quickly relegated to the bottom of your to-do list. Realistically, though, you know you can't continue that for long without feeling negative effects. You need to make time for self-care. 

Develop Healthy Habits

How easy it is to stop for fast food on the way home from work! Yet you know full well that this isn't the way to practice self-care, especially if your exercise routine is limited to dashing from one appointment to the next. Start developing healthier habits by making more conscious choices about what you eat. You might prepare and freeze meals so that you can heat them up quickly. Pack healthy lunches, too, with fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. As for exercise, schedule several sessions a week, and then stick to them. You might start out with an easy walk and then work up into other activities for longer periods of time. Just get your body moving!

Learn to Control Stress

Stress is probably a big part of your life as you try to balance your business and your other obligations. Therefore, you're going to have to develop a set of strategies to help you control it. SkillsYouNeed.com notes that many people use music therapy to great effect. Create a playlist of calming music, and turn it on when the stress rises. Then sit back, listen, and do nothing for a while. Alternately, you might try guided breathing exercises, prayer, or meditation to fight stress or even spend time on a favorite hobby or reading a book.

Focus on Your Environment

Better Homes & Gardens points out that part of balancing work with the rest of your life and caring for yourself may mean making some calming changes to your home. These might include decluttering so that you don't feel overwhelmed by your stuff, bringing in some plants for green freshness, and opening up your curtains for increased natural light. Also, set aside a place in your home geared directly toward relaxation where you can unwind in peace.

Adjust Your Business

As you make more time for self-care, you may also make some adjustments to your business. You might try to delegate more, for instance, or hire specialists to save time and energy. You could restructure your business as a limited liability company, too. This can lower your stress by giving you tax benefits, reduced paperwork, more flexibility, and limited personal liability. Rules vary by state, so do your research and even use a formation service to save money on legal fees when forming a Colorado LLC.

There are, of course, more elements that go into running a business, the stress-free way. A crucial part of it is your invoicing, as you want to make sure that you’re paid in a timely way, keeping your business out of the red. You can use invoicing software to make sure your invoices are accurate and sent out promptly.

Get Support

Finally, if you're extremely stressed or anxious, you might seek mental health support. You can access mental health services securely right online, and online therapy requires less time and a lower level of commitment. You won't have to travel, and you might even save some money. Just choose a licensed professional, and ask for a free consultation to see if your choice is a good fit.

Care for Yourself

Self-care is critical, especially when you're running a business, so try some of these tips and start to enjoy your life a bit more. Remember to use time-saving techniques and technologies, focus on your working environment to reduce stress, and develop healthy habits.

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