Too long ago for me to remember now.

Too many middle aged men buying Harley-Davidsons or BMW convertables and/or trading the first wife for a younger version to argue mid-life crisis is not real.

An aquaintance of mine bought a Harley in his mid 50s because he had always wanted one since he was a teenager but could never afford one.  His wife agreed as she said it was the only way to keep  him on an even keel and anyway she enjoyed the long rides and weekends away.

I remember quite a few years back a girlfiend rang me to say her husband had been retrenched after working 45 years with the Bank. I was sorry to hear that, but she seemed happy as he would be coming in to a big payout. She said they could buy a new car and take a world trip, the house had been paid off. Well, a couple of months later she rang me devastated to say he had left her and taken his money with him. She did have a big drinking problem and he had enough. He signed the home over to her and that was it. She took him for granted for too long.

Yes I do think it happens but mainly to men I think ??????

Back from holiday and glancing at some of this damn nonsense. No improvement in behaviour I see.

You Brocky and your clone Raphael are suffering from whatever comes years after a mid life crisis. Anyone has a name for this???

Think my son has reached his 'mid-life decision time'.

He got thoroughly spooked recently with the death of ironman Dean Mercer up here.

• My son is big into endurance sports.
• Dean died two blocks away from my son's house, near an intersection my son passes every day.
• They were nearly same age, one year apart.
• When he looked Dean up … they have the same birthday.

Not too sure I'd be referring to the  unhappiness some feel between the ages of 30 and 50 as 'a mid-life crisis' but just think for many those years are a time of incredible busyness and grown-uo responsibilities ie. Raising, clothing, feeding , educating and nurturing  kids, paying off a house, holding down a job, keeping a marriage or partnership on track, launching your kids in their first independent flight from the nest etc.etc.  

Those years ie. between 30 and 50 are full of many complex joys and challenges that sort of 'grow us up' if you catch my drift, with most of us still having reasonable health and stamina to cope with these roller coaster years, and yep when you're caught up in it think it's understandable that people sometimes pine for easier times either in the past or in the future..

Personally can barely remember parts of the 80s and early 90s given I was so incredibly busy with all sorts  adult responsibilities ..

I don't  like the term 'midlife crisis', I think there comes a time when we suddenly realise that our lives are mundane and realise that life is meant to be about doing things because we enjoy them and not have the energy sucked out of us by continuing in dead end jobs/relationships/acquiring the latest fashion, technology , whatever

Some are able to change lifestyles and follow their hearts, while others, for various reasons remain unhappily stuck 'in the mud', so so speak