Dionne Huffman, a skilled consultant at OGCC Behavioral Services, is dedicated to expertly guiding individuals through the intricate journey of midlife transitions. In the following article, Dionne Huffman unravels the essence of discovering purpose in midlife, exploring an array of hobbies, passions, and interests.
Not everyone who enters midlife experiences a “crisis.”
That doesn’t mean that it’s an easy life stage to manage. Midlife can come with many changes, such as children leading their own family lives away from their own homes, career adjustments, slower metabolism, and the challenge of focusing one’s attention on themselves, once again.
Dionne Huffman of OGCC Behavioral Services notes that there are a few key ways to find — or renew — one’s purpose and passions during middle age. And it can be a very exciting journey.
Dionne Huffman Says to Find Joy
Midlife is the perfect time to reflect on the hobbies or interests that previously brought the most joy into one’s life. There’s something special about rediscovering old passions and realizing that the passion never quite went away. At the same time, it’s also good to think about exploring new activities or having experiences that have usually been outside of one’s comfort zone.
That just doesn’t mean going skydiving. It may have been out of one’s comfort zone to join a club, meet new people or join a gym, but opening up to such previous challenges can be invigorating.
Embrace Change
Change is difficult for just about anybody, but especially for those in midlife. Longtime habits, careers, and schedules may leave one in a rut by the time one is in their 40s or 50s. In midlife, however, change isn’t just inevitable; it may be very necessary.
Dionne Huffman of OGCC Behavioral Services explains that rediscovering or finding a purpose may mean life changes, taking risks, or being open to different or scary possibilities. One may not find a new purpose in life right away, but the journey should be a fun experience.
Foster Relationships
Retaining close relationships and cultivating new ones help those in midlife find the necessary purpose or feeling of belonging needed to thrive. Steadfastly focusing on relationships is also a good way to pursue personal development and growth.
Dionne Huffman of OGCC Behavioral Services says that in addition to challenging oneself to find new directions, there should be an openness to learning new things and setting new goals.
Tap into Creativity
Hitting midlife can feel like ushering in a mundane era, with low excitement or even disillusionment. If something feels missing, it may be time to dive headfirst into activities that spark creativity as well as joy. Not only is tapping into creativity great for maintaining cognitive abilities, but it can also be a way to discover new skills or talents.
Dionne Huffman of OGCC Behavioral Services suggests keeping a journal or even crafting fiction. Have an appealing expertise? Launch a podcast. Seek creative outlets that for whatever reason haven’t ever been tapped into, such as taking a dance class, learning martial arts, or joining an improvisation group.
Go Big
Whether they realize it or not, people are often drawn to activities or missions that are larger than themselves. Yes, this can mean being active in one’s church, but it can also mean volunteering for a cause near and dear to one’s heart in midlife. Volunteering at a hospital or homeless shelter or advocating for a certain social cause helps many establish a strong and healthy sense of purpose they may not have felt before.
Focus on Relaxation
Dionne Huffman of OGCC Behavioral Services explains that life changes and a variety of responsibilities tend to make midlife a stressful milestone to hit. Many of those in midlife are still experiencing stressful work environments or the challenges that come with raising a family. That’s why it’s a good time to find ways to relieve stress and stay relaxed more often.
Hobbies give people the chance to escape from the daily grind or life pressures experienced every day. Consider painting or yoga to stay present and physically fit, gardening to connect with the therapeutic benefits of nature, or baking and learning an instrument, both outlets for self-expression and self-improvement. Other hobbies that can improve mental and physical health include photography, hiking, and car restoration.
Stay Social
The friends one has in midlife may not be the friends one had as a young adult. That’s normal but keeping social will make middle age more fulfilling and interesting.
Dionne Huffman of OGCC Behavioral Services says that in addition to regularly checking in and meeting up with existing friends, engaging in a number of social clubs or local meetups that pique one’s interest can help one meet like-minded new friends and open up to new experiences.
