Fussbucket

by Stacey

Okay, this is bad. According to this article in the London Sunday Times, more and more people in their thirties are suffering from early mid-life crises. Thanks to Salon’s Broadsheet for the tip.

If you’re in your mid-thirties, hassled by the dramas of juggling work and family, doubting decisions you’ve made professionally and personally, panicked by the aging process and dismayed that your years of snogging in nightclubs are behind you, then you’re probably in the grip of an early midlife crisis – otherwise known as a thrisis.

Good God. Do they really think anyone is going to use that word? I don’t think so. But tortured phrasing aside, is this a trend? Warning: the following blockquote contains references to British pop culture.

Nobody tells you about this in your twenties, when you’re determinedly marching up the corporate ladder and seeking a soul mate. There are angsty moments, of course, when you come to terms with the harsh reality of living in a grown-up world and having far less time to sit around eating Pot Noodle and watching Neighbours, but there is comfort in having a clear path to follow. It’s just a lot shorter these days: 20 years ago, it would have taken us at least two decades to get to the top; now, in our increasingly ageist culture, we want it all by 30. The knock-on effect is that, suddenly, bang, you get to your mid-thirties, you’re already a partner in your law firm or one of those “vice-president” types, and it occurs to you that there is nowhere else to go, other than buying the company.

Clearly this is not my problem. Hmm, should I buy the company or just retire now? But I’m only 35! What will I do with the rest of my life? Damn I peaked too early. If anything, my problem is just the opposite. I used to have cool clothes and nice boots and had seen at least a couple of the latest movies. Now I regularly walk around with split ends in my hair and holes in my sweaters.

But apparently 35-year old people all over England are tossing off high-power jobs or longtime spouses to start over and get some thrills before it’s too late. Umm, okay. Personally, I don’t know anyone who has done this. Do you?