When Your Midlife "Crisis" Is Actually Your Career Compass
Most internet "wisdom" can feel kinda sketchy. But to me, this one hits differently:
Unpopular opinion: Most 'midlife crises' are actually just people finally getting honest about what they actually want versus what they were told to want.
Maybe you’re feeling that restlessness right now. There’s this nagging sense that something's off, even though your career looks successful on paper. You're not losing it. You're finding it—finding the courage to question whether the life you built is the life you actually want.
What No One Talks About at Career Happy Hours
When you hit your 40s or 50s and start questioning everything, people call it a crisis. They'll joke about buying a red sports car and picking up rock climbing as a hobby, minimizing what's actually a profound moment of clarity.
So, what's really happening here? You've built up enough experience to know the difference between external validation and internal satisfaction. You've seen enough to understand that the corner office isn’t the cure for Sunday night dread. And you've lived long enough to realize that time isn't infinite.
This isn't a breakdown—it's your inner wisdom finally getting loud enough to be heard over the noise of other people's expectations.
The Four Stages Everyone Goes Through (Yes, Even You)
Working with professionals navigating career transitions, I see some of the same progression:
First comes the discomfort—that feeling of being misaligned
Then, the guilt—"I should be grateful for what I have"
Next, the fear—"What if I'm making a huge mistake?"
And finally, the breakthrough—"This isn't who I am anymore"
What this means for you is that you're not broken—you're right on schedule. Understanding these stages helps you navigate them with less panic and more purpose. You're not uniquely broken or ungrateful. You're simply evolving beyond the career choices you made with less information, less self-knowledge, and different priorities.
Your Awakening Is Your Advantage
When you embrace this awakening rather than fight it, here's what you can expect:
You'll reclaim energy you didn't know you'd lost. Think about how much mental and emotional effort goes into forcing yourself to care about things that no longer matter to you. When you stop that exhausting performance, you free up massive resources for what actually lights you up.
You'll uncover capabilities you'd forgotten you had. You know those interests you've been putting in a corner because they "don't fit" your current role? That creative side you shelved years ago? Those leadership instincts you've been holding back? They're often the exact ingredients your next chapter needs.
You'll give others permission to be real. Here's what I've noticed—when one person in a workplace or family system starts honoring their truth, it creates ripple effects. Your courage to question the status quo gives others permission to examine their own choices. You become a walking reminder that there's another way.
The Real Crisis Would Be Staying Silent
Your midlife career questioning isn't a crisis to be solved—it's data point to be acknowledged and honored. Every doubt, every moment of restlessness, every Sunday night dread is information about the gap between who you've become and what you're doing.
The real crisis would be ignoring these signals for another decade.
You've earned the right to want more than stability. You've paid your dues. You've proven yourself. Now you get to ask the question that matters most: "What would a career aligned with who I am NOW look like?"
That's not selfish. That's wisdom.
What's the biggest gap between who you've become and what your current role requires of you? Let me know in the comments—I'd love to hear what awakening looks like for you.
I’m Richard Taliaferro. I’m a certified career coach specializing in helping mid-stage professionals gain clarity on their career journey. I’ve written a guide on how to escape the work hamster wheel. Click here to download yours.