Everyone goes through growing pains.  Childhood and young adulthood are full of different issues.  Going from being powerless to having some power to create a life makes the early stages of growing up difficult at best.  As young adults move into the next stage they may be already on a path or struggling to get there.  Regardless, moving on to the Middle Ages comes with lots of different issues.   The issues might include raising children, managing a career, dealing with finances, or even caring for parents or older family members.  This stage can bring lots of new issues on the life path, some of them happy, and others not so much.

It’s hard to say where this stage begins and ends.  Sometimes I would argue that it starts somewhere in the 30s and ends somewhere in the 50s, but at other times I would say it ends more in the 60s.  It’s a long stage, but I would argue that it includes time while someone is still working, and before retirement.  During this time, people are generally working on stabilizing finances and working to secure a career, or long-term job.  It’s the stage that you might be most likely to buy a house, get married and have kids if that is a goal for you.  But it’s also a stage when people are most likely to divorce and file for bankruptcy if they make poor choices.  

If you are raising children, I encourage really good self-care.  Being a parent is a difficult task, whether your kids are well behaved or have their own issues.  It can come with sleepless nights, managing bullies, helping your kids develop good relationship skills, and teaching them about life.  They will need your wisdom and guidance as they move forward through their won stages of life.  Some events may be similar to yours but other events may baffle even the best parent.  If you find yourself in this stage during your middle ages, take care to be a good role model. 

If you are working to manage a career, and move up the ladder, think long and hard about what would make you happy.  Many people focus on money, and get stuck in a career that makes them miserable.  If you enjoy what you do, you will find your niche, and some happiness to go along with it.  You will learn to manage difficult coworkers, clients, and paperwork.  Don’t be afraid to change your path and career if it’s not working.  It may not be easy, but it’s worth being happy.  I can’t remember how many articles I have read that include people taking a risk and moving into a new line of work that makes them more fulfilled. 

As you move through this stage in life, it’s often like a mind field of things that can derail your happiness. So many financial issues can come up, but family issues and job issues can also force changes in your path.  This is all normal for this stage, and some you can prepare for and some you cannot.  Just remember,  no matter what happens, or how far off course you think you are, you can always recover your focus and a better path.  Never give up on being happy, for life, no matter what life throws at you.