10 Early Warning Signs of Midlife Crisis in Women You Can't Hide
If the signs of a midlife crisis in men are driving a convertible and having an affair, these are the signs of midlife crisis in women.
If a man, starting to go grey, buys a red sports car or starts sleeping with his twenty-something secretary, it can be a major alert that he is having a midlife crisis. But the signs of midlife crisis in women are more subtle.
What is so different between middle-aged men and women?
Often men are looking to make a change. And usually regarding their masculinity or financial success. Women usually get validation from their relationships. Whether as a wife, mother, or even a friend or employee, women see their worth in a different way then men.
A woman will look back on her life and think about what she has accomplished personally or maybe professionally. Wondering if where she is right now is all she will ever do.
She will ask herself questions
When a man goes through a midlife crisis he tends to act before thinking. Women overanalyze. A woman asks herself the deep questions like is this all there is? Is this all I have?
This can cause a woman to recede into herself and become withdrawn. But just as with men, women also show erratic behavior uncharacteristic of her norm. So answering these life altering questions can come in all sorts of ways.
The 10 most obvious signs of midlife crisis in women
From having irrational emotional moments to spending more time on herself and even having trouble sleeping or becoming anxious are all ways a woman's midlife crisis manifests itself.
#1 She may become more self conscious. Whether she has always worried about her looks and has just recently taken a deeper interest in beauty or has a new unlikely worry regarding her vanity this could signal a midlife crisis.
Now it is not uncommon for a woman to worry about wrinkles or grey hairs. But if she consistently touches up grey's, invests in expensive wrinkle creams, or even considers plastic surgery this could mean midlife crisis.
#2 She feels empty. Around the time many women hit their midlife, their kids are grown or out of the house. This could be the first time in nearly two decades that she is no longer a caretaker.
Whether dealing with adjusting to an empty nest or just has more free time, she may question what her purpose is now.
#3 Does she go out more? As previously stated, this might be the first time she has had free time and a lessened sense of responsibility. Not only is she deciding what to do with that time and worrying about how to adjust to that, but she may take that time to go out and enjoy herself.
Whether that means going to the movies alone or out on the town with gals, she wants to make the most of some of the things she may not have been able to do.
#4 Is her behavior changing? When a woman goes through a midlife crisis she may finally feel a sense of freedom. Although she loved the last twenty or so years, she has paid her dues and deserves a break.
So whether she decides to stop cooking a full dinner every night but rather orders out or even dresses with a new style, she may just be giving herself the life she has been away from for many years.
#5 She has a newfound dream. Women tend to put their careers and dreams on hold to focus on their family. And if this is the case, she may finally have the confidence and time to fulfill those aspirations. And even if she doesn't this midlife crisis could push her to make the time for herself.
Whether she wants to go back to college and get her degree, start painting, or traveling around the world, she didn't get a chance to do these things when she was younger. Now is her chance.
#6 She may start dating younger men. And good for her. Whether she is divorced or has been single for long time dating younger is something new and refreshing for a women going through a midlife crisis.
Although some studies say women are not interested in intimacy during this time, women in their 40s and 50s tend to just be coming into their sexual peak. Whether she spent most of her life with one man and wants to experiment or just has a ton of energy, this could be a clear sign of a midlife crisis.
But as long as she is being safe, more power to her. Men have been dating younger women for centuries. It's a lady's turn.
#7 She will make big life decisions and changes. Whether she has finally decided to leave her husband, quit her job, or even move, a midlife crisis is a push to alter something in your life. Once a midlife crisis arrives, it causes a constant nagging feeling that something is missing.
And making a big change like switching careers, moving to Tuscany, or even taking skydiving lessons can be a sign her midlife crisis has hit.
#8 She is quite emotional. Yes, this can signal menopause, which often comes around the same time as a midlife crisis, women hit with bad timing and an imbalance of hormones all at once. *Lucky us*.
And one way that comes out is through mood swings. These signs of midlife crisis in women can be seen through irrational anger, random crying fits, or even boosts of energy, not to mention trouble sleeping, hot flashes, and more that would alter anyone's mood.
#9 She feels unfulfilled. Even if nothing in her life has changed she may suddenly feel unhappy. This feeling can lead to big changes like adopting, selling her house, or investing her money in a start-up. It can also manifest in smaller projects like a remodel, retail therapy, or volunteering.
Sometimes timing and big life changes can push a midlife crisis into the open, but other times they can come along all on their own.
#10 She may deny it. Aging is something we can all get quite sensitive about, some more so than others. But during, or even on the verge of, a midlife crisis women may get quite defensive about the fact that they are getting older.
Whether she dyes her hair or slaps on anti-aging makeup, admitting how old she is turning, celebrating her child's graduation, or even becoming a grandmother can feel like a slap in the face. The last thing a woman going through this wants is her age being rubbed in her face.
Based on these signs of midlife crisis in women, do you think you, your wife, or even your mother are going through a midlife crisis? If so, this is an entirely normal part of the aging process.
