Why Life Truly Begins at Midlife

In the second half of life, the psyche naturally turns inward, focusing on aligning the ego with the Self, our whole personality. Failure to adapt to this shift often leads to a midlife crisis. Both differentiation and individuation continue throughout life; but one tends to dominate at each stage of life. One might say, with a little exaggeration, that life truly begins at midlife, until then, we are just doing research. When the ego is not properly related to the Self, neurosis arises as a state of inner division; and in extreme cases, psychosis may result. Many people suffer from a profound disconnection from the psyche, or soul—the mythological and symbolic realm that enriches our life with meaning. To restore this meaning, we must reconnect with the Self, which represents the potential for attaining our true nature by making the unconscious conscious. Though many seek wholeness, they theorise endlessly about the process, precisely to evade it. #midlife #crisis #selfrealization