I read a very interesting quote a while ago that really seems to resonate with me. It is that we spend the first half of our lives battling against the world and the second half battling against ourselves. Our first half is focused on career, building a family, buying a house, seeking status of some kind in the world, The second half is coming to terms with aging, declining health, declining energy, and the fact that we are all small specks on this planet and are only here for a short time, and that we probably have a lot less control of our lives than we believed in our youth.
This certainly seems to apply very well to me. I am now in my early 50s and the things that used to push me forward in my younger days no longer hold much interest. And in talking to my friends of a similar age, they seem to be feeling similar.
I suspect that a good portion of this site is made up of males who are middle aged or older and am wondering if anyone can share any profound discoveries that they made during this period of their life that have led to a renewed spirit for the latter part of their lives. I can't say I have any advice to offer as I seem to be struggling to find a renewed energy that will propel me into old age.
For me, consumerism no longer holds any appeal at all. As I get older I really lack any desire to buy anything. There are still needs that have to be taken care of and things that break and need to be replaced, but a bigger house, fancy car, summer home, traveling, hold no appeal. In fact, I would say I feel the opposite in that I would love to get rid of about 90 percent of the stuff I have and move to a much smaller house. I will add that I have no kids so undoubtedly changes my perspective on the world. I know that I want to move out of the city (one of the busiest in North America) to a much smaller and quieter existence, but we are stuck here until my wife retires within the next five to ten years. My favourite activity in the world is sitting on a quiet lake just staring at the water. This opportunity is very rare for me as the only nature around where I live is usually packed with other people trying to do the same thing. Last time I tried to walk to some nearby nature, I found that after forty minutes of walking, every bench and every flat surface was filled with people so I turned around and headed home angry.
My brother in law has found that hiking in nature is essential to his well being. He forces himself to drive to nature every other day and hike for a couple of hours in the woods. He does not live in the city though. I have heard others who suggest serious meditation can give that sense of well being and release from the busyness of the world. I like the idea although all my previous attempts have not been successful.
Don't want to sound like I am completely down on the world or anything. As I said I am sure much of it may be that I need a change of scenery from the busy modern city life. But I really am curious if anyone here can offer advice for getting through this strange stage of life.
This certainly seems to apply very well to me. I am now in my early 50s and the things that used to push me forward in my younger days no longer hold much interest. And in talking to my friends of a similar age, they seem to be feeling similar.
I suspect that a good portion of this site is made up of males who are middle aged or older and am wondering if anyone can share any profound discoveries that they made during this period of their life that have led to a renewed spirit for the latter part of their lives. I can't say I have any advice to offer as I seem to be struggling to find a renewed energy that will propel me into old age.
For me, consumerism no longer holds any appeal at all. As I get older I really lack any desire to buy anything. There are still needs that have to be taken care of and things that break and need to be replaced, but a bigger house, fancy car, summer home, traveling, hold no appeal. In fact, I would say I feel the opposite in that I would love to get rid of about 90 percent of the stuff I have and move to a much smaller house. I will add that I have no kids so undoubtedly changes my perspective on the world. I know that I want to move out of the city (one of the busiest in North America) to a much smaller and quieter existence, but we are stuck here until my wife retires within the next five to ten years. My favourite activity in the world is sitting on a quiet lake just staring at the water. This opportunity is very rare for me as the only nature around where I live is usually packed with other people trying to do the same thing. Last time I tried to walk to some nearby nature, I found that after forty minutes of walking, every bench and every flat surface was filled with people so I turned around and headed home angry.
My brother in law has found that hiking in nature is essential to his well being. He forces himself to drive to nature every other day and hike for a couple of hours in the woods. He does not live in the city though. I have heard others who suggest serious meditation can give that sense of well being and release from the busyness of the world. I like the idea although all my previous attempts have not been successful.
Don't want to sound like I am completely down on the world or anything. As I said I am sure much of it may be that I need a change of scenery from the busy modern city life. But I really am curious if anyone here can offer advice for getting through this strange stage of life.