"Middle age is not the beginning of the end; it is the end of the beginning." – Eric Butterworth
It is during our middle years, our 40s and 50s, that we see the results of the time and energy we’ve given our family, work, community and self.
You might begin this section by "setting the scene." As you think back to your middle-aged years, where were you living? What were the accepted roles for men and women? What political, historical, and cultural happenings were taking place and how do you think they affected your life? List a few examples of popular music, books, entertainment, fashion, cars, and food. Spending $25 on yourself, what could you get? Give some examples of the cost of living.
Describe your family as you entered your middle adult years. Were you married? If you had children, what were their ages? Where were your family members living? How often did you see those who did not live with you? How did those circumstances change in the next two decades?
Describe the major milestones of family life during your 40s and 50s.
Tell about the work you were doing and how you felt about it. How long had you been at this work? How did you get the job, and what were you earning? Concerning your work, what were you planning and hoping for the future?
Who were the significant people in your life during this time? Whom were you closest to? Who were your friends? How did friendships develop and what did you do when you got together? Who were your neighbors, and how did your lives touch?
What kinds of physical activity did you participate in? How did you like to spend time you may have had alone? What did you wish you had more time for? Did you develop any new hobbies, or spend more time with previous hobbies?
Was it a jolt when your children left the nest? How did it happen? How did you deal with it? What new interests did you find to fill that time?
Did you have a "midlife crisis?" Describe it.
Did you notice any changes in your appearance at this time of life? First sign of grayness or wrinkles? What were your feelings? Did this cause you to review your life, to assess your progress and mortality?
Which were some memorable vacations? Tell about other travels you had.
What are your memories of the significant happenings in your life at ths time?
What activities did you share with your family – children? partner? parents? What changes occurred over the years?
How were you involved in the community?
What difficulties did you have to deal with during this time? What were your worries and fears?
What were some of the best times during this period of your life? Give a sense of what you had to be thankful for.
It is during our middle years, our 40s and 50s, that we see the results of the time and energy we’ve given our family, work, community and self.
You might begin this section by "setting the scene." As you think back to your middle-aged years, where were you living? What were the accepted roles for men and women? What political, historical, and cultural happenings were taking place and how do you think they affected your life? List a few examples of popular music, books, entertainment, fashion, cars, and food. Spending $25 on yourself, what could you get? Give some examples of the cost of living.
Describe your family as you entered your middle adult years. Were you married? If you had children, what were their ages? Where were your family members living? How often did you see those who did not live with you? How did those circumstances change in the next two decades?
Describe the major milestones of family life during your 40s and 50s.
Tell about the work you were doing and how you felt about it. How long had you been at this work? How did you get the job, and what were you earning? Concerning your work, what were you planning and hoping for the future?
Who were the significant people in your life during this time? Whom were you closest to? Who were your friends? How did friendships develop and what did you do when you got together? Who were your neighbors, and how did your lives touch?
What kinds of physical activity did you participate in? How did you like to spend time you may have had alone? What did you wish you had more time for? Did you develop any new hobbies, or spend more time with previous hobbies?
Was it a jolt when your children left the nest? How did it happen? How did you deal with it? What new interests did you find to fill that time?
Did you have a "midlife crisis?" Describe it.
Did you notice any changes in your appearance at this time of life? First sign of grayness or wrinkles? What were your feelings? Did this cause you to review your life, to assess your progress and mortality?
Which were some memorable vacations? Tell about other travels you had.
What are your memories of the significant happenings in your life at ths time?
What activities did you share with your family – children? partner? parents? What changes occurred over the years?
How were you involved in the community?
What difficulties did you have to deal with during this time? What were your worries and fears?
What were some of the best times during this period of your life? Give a sense of what you had to be thankful for.
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