Let's Stop Talking About Midlife Crises and Start Talking About Midlife Awakenings

The Problem with "Crisis" Language

Ever notice how much our thoughts and actions are influenced by the specific words we use? It’s incredible how many phrases we use in a day without really thinking about what they mean and how they can shape a situation.

“Midlife crisis” is one of those words. "Crisis" implies emergency. Panic. Something that needs to be fixed or survived. It suggests that questioning your life is a problem rather than awareness. Momentum. Intelligence. 

Think about it: You've lived long enough to gather real data about what works for you and what doesn't. You've experienced enough to know the difference between what you thought you wanted and what actually fulfills you. You've developed enough wisdom to recognize when you've been living someone else's definition of success.

So why do we label this as a crisis? And then handle it accordingly? 

We've been sold the story that when you hit your 40s or 50s and suddenly question everything—your career, your relationships, your purpose—there's something wrong with you. You’re supposed to act all wild and dye your hair or buy a sports car (or something equally dramatic and unhelpful). 

And then what? Just go back to dealing with the status quo? 

What if we could flip the script? Stop talking about midlife crises and start talking about midlife awakenings? And what if that changed how we experience these periods of change in our lives?

The Beautiful Mess of Awakening

First, let’s be clear: flipping this language isn’t about making this process less messy. It’s going to be messy. It’s going to be chaotic and challenging. It often comes with a big side helping of "What the hell have I been doing with my life?" That’s the nature of change. 

However, it doesn’t have to be stressful, panic-inducing, and dramatic. It can be slow, introspective, adventurous, and eye-opening. 

When you start questioning everything, you create space for something new. When you stop accepting "fine" as good enough, you open the door to extraordinary. When you finally admit that the life you built doesn't quite fit, you get to design one that does.

This isn't a breakdown. It's a breakthrough.

AND… it doesn’t have to happen when other people say it should (what is “midlife,” anyway?) Or in a specific timeframe. It can be something you start when you feel like something isn’t aligning, come back to, and continuously work on. 

Shift Your Language… And Your Experience

When you start to feel that welling up of frustration or a yearning for something different, it’s a sign something feels unaligned. You can frame it as a crisis and make it something to push away, to stress about. OR you can frame it as an awakening. 

When you do, you can start to explore the changes you want to make more intentionally and creatively. Instead of going out and buying a sports car, you can think about what having a sports car will do to realign you with your values, beliefs, and vision. 

Think about the sports car purchase. Does the idea of cruising with the top down give you the sense of adventure you feel like you’ve been missing? Or would travel or pursuing a new hobby be more fulfilling in the long-term? How does it fit in with your other values and desires? Could Sunday afternoon drives into the countryside with your family be part of the vision? Or heading out to car shows to meet people with the same interests? 

When we make this shift, we’re not just changing the wording to be more “positive.” We’re creating a path forward that isn’t reactionary, but purposeful. It expresses who you are—your Black Sheep gifts, your weirdness, your unique gifts and ideas. 

Midlife awakening isn't about dramatic gestures or radical departures (though yes, it sometimes includes those!) It's about:

• Finally saying no to things that drain you

• Pursuing that creative project you've been "meaning to get to" for years (or maybe your whole life)

• Having conversations that matter instead of making small talk

• Choosing authenticity over approval

• Building a life that fits your actual values, not inherited ones

The Ripple Effect

When you stop having a crisis and start having an awakening, something magical happens. You don't just change—you give everyone around you permission to change too. Your kids see what it looks like to live authentically. Your partner gets to know the real you (possibly for the first time). You inspire others to make changes when things don’t feel quite right. 

This is how we change the world—one authentic person at a time.

Your Invitation

If you’re ready to stop thinking about your impending (or current) midlife “crisis” and shift into awakening mode, Black Sheep Co. is the place to find your community! 

We’ve seen people transform from plodding along through life according to expectations to becoming the person they always wanted to be. It’s happened in so many ways in our community, in our programs, and even in our own lives. 

We invite you to join us in whatever way feels aligned for you. Join us for one of our upcoming events, sign up for our Weekly Reset to get questions designed to change how you think about your life and the world, or send us a message directly!