What is middle age?

So I’ve declared myself to be on the right write of the middle in terms of this journey called life. How did I come to that conclusion? Well, let’s be positive and imagine the ultimate lifespan to be 100 years of age. At 50 years of age, I am half way between 0 (birth) and 100 (death).  I’m in the middle. I’m actually on the right side of the middle and therefore middle-aged.

The clinical definition of middle age is ‘the period of age beyond young adulthood and before the onset of old age’.  So when does young adulthood end and when does old age begin?

Everyone will have a different opinion on what ages define middle-aged. If you asked me when I was a teenager, I would have said that once someone hit their 30’s they were middle-aged. OMG – what baloney!! Now that I am older my perspective is very different! At the moment, I believe that middle age begins in your late 40’s and continues through to your late 60’s and maybe for some people – even into their 70’s! This view may change again as I get older! How long you stay middle-aged before moving across into old age depends on:

• what life throws at you and good old fashioned luck
• how well you have looked after yourself
• genetics
• health
• keeping active – in body and in mind
• mindset

So, should we all be in despair about being middle-aged? No! This is a quote that you should always keep in mind when you get the woes about your fading good looks, wrinkles or increasing waistline.

There are lots of positives to being middle-aged. Here are but just a few:

• Your kids are generally older now and you have more time to yourself!
• You care less what other people think of you.
• You have more time to focus on yourself and doing things that you enjoy.

I think a bit of humour is good for the spirit. Here are a few funny quotes I found about being middle-aged!

“Middle age is when you’re sitting at home on a Saturday night and the telephone rings and you hope it isn’t for you.”
–  Ogden Nash

 

“Youth is when you’re allowed to stay up late on New Year’s Eve. Middle age is when you’re forced to.”
–  Bill Vaughn

 

“Middle age is when you are old enough to know better but still young enough to do it.”
–  Unknown

 

“Middle age is the awkward period when Father Time starts catching up with Mother Nature.”
–  Harold Coffin

Do you consider yourself middle-aged?  I’d love to hear what you think are the positives about being middle-aged?

Ciao for now,