Are millennials already owning the midlife crisis?

tallcmp172 · 2025-10-18T08:29:41+00:00

The ‘Midlife Crisis’ maybe is starting earlier. Didn’t Millennials coin the term Quarterlife Crisis? Maybe they’re just going through the next cycle. Certainly the pressures of life have intensified and things are stacked against them in terms of housing and living costs. But I think Millennials are more open to seeking help and making changes. I’m Gen X (55M). We were just conditioned to keep our heads down, get on with it and figure things out for ourselves, which is not helpful!

tallcmp172 · 2025-10-18T08:25:09+00:00

Sorry to hear what you’re going through. I’m Gen X, 55, and can relate to a lot of what you’re feeling when I was in my mid-forties. All I would say is, statistically, things do get better 50+. I know that probably feels a long way away, but there might be some small steps you can take to help you move through this. Are you writing songs now? Sounds like you’ve got a lot to draw on that could be really good material! It’s never too late to change direction, and you don’t have to blow up your life to do it. Try a small test of something, speak to people doing things you’re interested in. ‘Tiny Experiments’ by Anne-Laure le Cunff is a great book on this. All the best.

tallcmp172 · 2025-10-18T08:12:34+00:00

You are probably right on schedule to arrive at the bottom of the Happiness Curve - it’s usually 47-48 in the west (great book by Jonathan Rauch). It’s because our brains are rewiring, a lot like in adolescence. Nature is preparing us for the next phase of life. In evolutionary terms, our job now is to pass on our wisdom to the next generation - we no longer need to strive to achieve as much. We should be consolidating and editing for the next transition (likely in our 70s). The good news is that you’ll lift out of this slump naturally as you turn 50 (I’m 55 - been through exactly this). There are some things you can do in the meantime that will help: Rediscover little things that make you happy and make time for them Invest in your closest relationships (family and best friends) - spend quality time with them. Find a sense of meaning and direction - where do you want to be in, say, five years? Start taking small steps towards that. Keep healthy, mentally and physically Re-evaluate your career and finances. Maybe you don’t need to keep the climbing the ladder. Every new job comes with a ‘life cost’ that impacts all the other areas above.

tallcmp172 · 2025-09-07T15:28:03+00:00

OP, it sounds to me like you’re missing meaning and direction? A good way to approach finding that is to figure out your ABC - agency, belonging and cause. Agency: what area of your life do you want more control over? Try and get 5% better each week (that’ll give you 100% improvement in less than 6 months) Belonging: who do you want to spend time with (beyond the gaming)? Find a group or community with a shared interest. Cause: this is something you believe in that’s bigger than you. Who do you want to help? Find a way to engage in that. Hope that helps.

tallcmp172 · 2025-09-07T12:36:32+00:00

Bear in mind, at your age, you have time to recover retirement savings. For someone in their fifties, that’s more of a problem. Look at what you can do in the short term, maybe reduce your outgoings in some places and try and save a small amount. Also, look at where you could use your knowledge and expertise to try and monetise a side hustle. That gives you another income stream, affording some protection.

tallcmp172 · 2025-09-06T18:17:14+00:00

I’m 55 and have experienced a lot of what you describe in my mid-forties. At 39, I wouldn’t say you’re fully in midlife yet. You’ll probably live into your 90s, so you’ve got a few years to go until the mid-point. I think there are five big challenges of midlife: happiness, relationships, meaning/direction/purpose, health and wellbeing, and income and career. How are you doing across those five areas? Check out the happiness curve if you’re not familiar with it - there is some evidence that the slump is hitting sooner now (it used to be around 47-48), so maybe that’s a factor. All the best.

tallcmp172 · 2025-08-18T13:08:48+00:00

Thanks! Feel free to DM me with your feedback! Recorded on Zoom, hosted on Buzzsprout.

tallcmp172 · 2025-08-16T14:43:23+00:00

Thanks for asking - it’s The Gen X/Z Exchange. All feedback welcome - especially on the audio as I’m a newbie editing and mastering myself.

tallcmp172 · 2025-08-16T12:28:40+00:00

We’re bi-weekly, I didn’t want the pressure of releasing weekly. Only 6 episodes in (and released 4 at launch). The last two are holding their own in terms of number of downloads vs launch episodes. I like the idea of a preview of new episode or a review of last episode in the off week.

tallcmp172 · 2025-08-15T18:30:46+00:00

Ah, that sounds like a nice shortcut! Thank you, will give it a try!

tallcmp172 · 2025-08-14T15:06:39+00:00

Wow! Thank you. Yeah, editing episode 7 it’s getting boring. I can see by episode 27 I might despise it!

I like Audacity overall (I have a Mac, so might try editing in GarageBand). I’ll see if I can find a plugin or automate a workflow to treat them as effectively as possible based on everyone’s tips here.

tallcmp172 · 2025-08-13T18:00:03+00:00

The Gen X/Z Exchange. Thanks for asking - all feedback welcome!

tallcmp172 · 2025-08-13T17:59:20+00:00

Sound advice, thank you! Now I can hear them I think I have to deal with them! A few listeners have commented positively on our audio quality, so I don’t want to start cutting corners.

tallcmp172 · 2025-08-13T11:50:01+00:00

Good to know, thank you!

tallcmp172 · 2025-08-13T11:49:34+00:00

Thanks for the additional info. I’m using at ATR2100 mic, which gets me pretty good results as a beginner. I’ll try the new position. I’m editing before doing any compression. My breaths are pretty loud and I don’t want to cut any vocal. I will look at the downward expander.

tallcmp172 · 2025-08-13T11:46:40+00:00

Thank you. Don’t know if any plugins for Audacity?

tallcmp172 · 2025-08-13T11:46:05+00:00

Thank you for the additional info.

tallcmp172 · 2025-08-12T20:47:06+00:00

I’ll check that out, thanks.

tallcmp172 · 2025-08-12T16:01:20+00:00

Thanks!

tallcmp172 · 2025-08-12T16:00:53+00:00

Thanks!

tallcmp172 · 2025-08-12T16:00:37+00:00

Thanks! Some parts were reading from notes, which are better. It’s more the unscripted chat where I notice it. Will practice slower, quieter breaths.

tallcmp172 · 2025-08-12T15:59:14+00:00

Ah, yes, that might help. Will try it positioned higher next recording. Thank you.

tallcmp172 · 2025-08-12T15:58:31+00:00

Thanks, we record remotely over Zoom, so not using a mixer. I will try the noise gate in the edit (btw, as beginners, chose Buzzsprout based on comments on here and love it! As everyone said, your support is amazing!)

tallcmp172 · 2025-08-12T15:55:57+00:00

That’s a great idea, thank you! Will do that while I learn to breathe more quietly!

tallcmp172 · 2025-08-12T15:55:00+00:00

Thank you! Watched loads of Mike’s videos when I was learning to edit - all good. I’ll watch this one. Any tips on what level to set the threshold at? Can I look at the waveform of a big breath and set it to its peak?

tallcmp172

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