I think I've figured it out

Mid-life crisis

Midlife crisis is a term used to describe a period of dramatic self-doubt that is typically felt in the "middle years" of life, as people sense the passing of youth and the imminence of old age. Sometimes, transitions experienced in these years, such as aging in general, menopause, the death of parents, or children leaving home can trigger such a crisis. The result may be a desire to make significant changes in core aspects of day to day life or situation, such as in career, marriage, or romantic relationships.

Occurrence

For the approximately 10% of middle aged adults who go through an age-related midlife crisis, the condition is most common ranging from the ages of 35-50 (a large study in the 1990s[5] found that the average age at onset of a self-described "mid-life crisis" was 46). Mid life crises last about 3-10 years in men and 2-5 years in women.

A midlife crisis could be caused by aging itself, or aging in combination with changes, problems, or regrets over:

• work or career
• spousal relationships
• maturation of children
• aging or death of parents
• physical changes associated with aging

Midlife crisis seems to affect men and women differently. Researchers[6] have proposed that the triggers for mid-life crisis differ between men and women, with male mid-life crisis more likely to be caused by work issues.

Characteristics

Individuals experiencing a mid-life crisis are said to have some of these feelings:

• search of an undefined dream or goal
• a deep sense of remorse for goals not accomplished
• desire to achieve a feeling of youthfulness
• need to spend more time alone or with certain peers

Yikes!  I came across this in one of my many wanderings on the net.  Wikkipedia has everything!  Me?  Mid-life crisis?  I guess so.....I saw my mother go thru it, but didn't know what it was.  It can last 2-5 years?????  Hmmm, I don't like that at all.  So, now that I can put a name to it, what will I do about it?  I will do what I always do!  I will turn the crisis into a lifestyle change for the better!  Today is the first day of the rest of my life!  I have all of the above "characteristics".  This is the plan:

• Define the dream or goal
• Accomplish some goals, I've still got plenty of time!  And try harder not to sweat the small stuff.
• Um, the youthfulness thing, I try hard at that and don't intend to stop.  But the mirror does tell.......
• Yes!  This is the one!  My road trip.....And, I have a tentative "date" with Michelle next week.  That's a good thing!

It doesn't help much that I am a very "sensitive" person, either.  My mother used to say all she had to do was look at me a certain way, and I would start crying.  It was punishment enuf!  I was never spanked, I just got "the look".  And, I know things.  I guess you would say it's a gift, but sometimes it's a pain.  Call it being very intuitive, call it what you like, but I know things.  I won't say any more about that.....

So, I go on from here...  My goals:

• Go dancing with Unwashed Mass  (ha!  surprise!)
• NE LAN in April....road trip to follow.  Ottawa, Peterborough, Toronto, where else?
• More to come.......