Midlife Maps

Right now we find ourselves in the unpredictable Jungle of Self-esteem.

Self-esteem is just another way of saying how well we like ourselves, and it's something that's influenced by various factors and can fluctuate.

So, this means it can be managed and improved.

But how?

Well, as with most of life's jungles, this trek is an individual pursuit.

But that doesn't mean there aren't tools available to help us all.

So, let's find a map to navigate that!

The Jungle of Self-Knowledge is one all of us will journey through, but one in which some of us will spend less time than others.

Ironically, despite spending extended periods with ourselves, we often lack self-awareness regarding our desires, feelings, and reactions.

As a result, unless we're conscious of our patterns, we're doomed to continue reaping consequences without truly knowing why.

So how do we gain greater self-knowledge in midlife?

Well, let's find a map to navigate that!

Many of us in midlife will find ourselves facing the absolute joy of becoming a grandparent for the first time.

And whilst it's certainly a time for celebration and anticipation, it can also be a time of trepidation.

So, how do we wrap our heads around this tremendous midlife change?

Well, let's find a map to navigate that!

Many of us in midlife have experienced some form of age discrimination - either subtle or direct - reinforcing society's growing enamour with early success whilst simultaneously deriding late blooming as some kind of deficiency.

But are there any strengths late bloomers bring to the table to achieve success, fulfillment, happiness, and health?

Well, stay with us because we're going to come up with a map to navigate that!

So, we've stumbled into this Jungle of Uncontrolled Emotions. We know this jungle will make us react in unexpected ways: we wonder if we should have calmed ourselves before exploding, or resisted polishing off the entire block of caramel chocolate.

But self-control isn't just a fashionable tool in this jungle - it's vital to our success. People who are good at practicing self-control are more popular and successful in many areas of life.

But how do we successfully navigate this jungle?

Well. let's find a map to navigate that!

Studies have shown our mind actually spends about 50% of its time in the state of mind wandering.

It's in this state that many areas of the brain quieten themselves to focus on output from the hippocampus - the area of the brain critical for memory and learning.

But is daydreaming in midlife important?

And if so, how do we do it effectively?

Well, let's find a map to navigate that!

The Jungle of Imposter Syndrome seems to give us the pervading feeling that people like us could never achieve personal or professional success.

And if we do, others will eventually expose us a fraud.

Assuming any successes we have result from good luck, but failures are our fault makes it easier not to achieve anything of note.

And keeps us stuck in this jungle.

So, how do we find a way out?

Well, let's find a map to navigate that!

Our values guide every aspect of our lives; from what we think about, to what we do, to how we behave, to what type of work we do (or don't).

They are, in fact, akin to a compass that gives us a sense of direction on how to spend our time, how to behave, and what decisions to make.

And they encompass not only moral factors but also ideas about who we are and who we want to be.

So they're definitely important to know!

But how do we discover our values?

Well, let's find a map to navigate that!

Ah, the Jungle of Anxiety. A jungle we seem to find ourselves visiting, with uncanny regularity, at around 3 in the morning.

Just when it's dark outside and the sounds of night critters pervade the air, our anxious doubts bubble to the surface. It's unsettling.

But we should push through this Jungle of Anxiety because what we're facing is a smokescreen hiding genuine worries.

But how do we navigate through this deceptive jungle?

Well, let's find a map to navigate that!

Despite some people never encountering this Jungle of Kindness before hitting midlife, numerous studies have shown that it may be more a case of people not knowing how to show kindness rather than being inherently unkind.

For instance, one study found that seventy-two percent of people will report a lost wallet containing a large sum of money.

So, how can we show acts of kindness to others during our midlife journey?

Well, let's find a map to navigate that!