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Women Embracing Midlife Midlife! What a wonderful period in one's life, the period between youth and old age - a time of great potential for growth. This time in one's life can be compared to adolescence in that it is a period of gaining a sense of who you are and establishing your identity, with the benefit of actually knowing something instead of just thinking that you do. Midlife is a place in your life where you have gathered wisdom through experience, yet it is a time of transition, possibly with a feeling of discontentment. At midlife you begin to wrestle with the deeper questions of life. You desire to know your purpose and what gives meaning to life. It is a time to evaluate your life and make any desired adjustments. It is a time to reconnect with your spouse, to become more of a friend to your children, and a time to explore new interests. By definition “transition” is a movement or passage from one stage to another. Transition by its very nature involves change, and change can be difficult. Even when the change is wanted and positive, it turns the familiar into the unfamiliar, possibly resulting in feelings of fear and inadequacy as you enter unknown territory. For many, the transition to midlife is a period of confusion and uncertainty, commonly known as a “midlife crisis”. However, a more positive way to think of this period is that of “midlife opportunity” … the opportunity to make new choices and move toward a fuller and more satisfying life. Christine Carter Schaap in her book Bring it On! Women Embracing Midlife, points out that midlife presents distinctive adjustments for women:
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