Let’s face it.  We live in a world that tries to tell us that by the time we hit midlife, we are worthless and irrelevant.  Some people believe we are invisible; that we have no influence; and that the best part of our lives is behind us.  Nothing could be further from the truth.

Sure, with all that negativity around aging, you might look back on your life and have regrets. You might remember the dreams that haven't been fulfilled, and you may start to resent the life you have.

Does the sound like you?  Do you look at the life you led and have regrets of a life unfulfilled? Or do you look ahead with anticipation and excitement about the opportunity to turn it around and live the life you always wanted?  Crisis or opportunity!  Which will you choose?

Will you have a midlife crisis?

If you assume you will, then you will. And if you do have a midlife crisis, or if you are currently going through one, know that you don't have to let it overwhelm you. It will pass, and life will continue, but there are a few things you can do to help you overcome it sooner rather than later. 

1. Make a list of all the things you are thankful for. Instead of bemoaning what your life could have been, be thankful for what you do have. List each in turn and reflect on them. Your life won't be perfect, but then again who can say that their life is complete nirvana? Not many people, so don't worry about where your life has ended up. Focus on the positives, practicing gratitude instead of complaints and fretful thinking.

2. List those things you always wanted to do but never had the time to do them. Your life isn't over yet, so work on achieving the things you wanted to do. If your career path hasn't fulfilled you, it’s not too late to start a new career. Many people do it in the middle of their life, as this article demonstrates. I know, because I did it. If you haven't followed through on hobbies you used to enjoy, look for opportunities to continue with them now. If there are travel experiences you wanted to have, perhaps now is the time to plan for them. Whatever your hopes and dreams were when you were younger, list them, prioritize them and go for it

3. Start to improve your life today. Don't move on to this next chapter of your life in a negative way. There is no need.  Instead, start to improve your life today. Do things you enjoy, whatever that means to you. Plan to enjoy the next week or month by using a ticket service to book a seat at a live event, or arrange social activities with your family or friends. Look ahead with hope and optimism instead of grief and sorrow. Think about what you can do to brighten your future today, so you don't have another crisis of regret years from now.

I won’t pretend that I go through life without regrets.  And I too think about what might have been if I had made different choices throughout my life.  But I understand that those thoughts will not change my life now.  To do that, I have to focus on now and so do you.  This is an opportunity.  A new beginning.  Jump in with both feet and use all the experience you’ve gained till now to live a fierce life.