So what makes it a "midlife crisis"?

WolfGate · #1 25th September 2005, 07:21 PM

Bottom line - at 43, I want to buy my first motorcycle. My wife is OK with it, but she did say everyone (including her?) will think I'm having a mid-life crisis. Am I?

Always thought a "mid-life" crisis meant you were somehow discontent. I don't think that I am. I'm still healthy, active and work out regularly. I love my wife and kids without regrets. I enjoy my job.

At 43, I'm finally at a point financially where I can consider a frivilous expenditure. Our only debt is our house, and the mortgage is only 10% of our income. We're putting money aside for retirement and kids (4 and 6 years old) education. We have a regular plan to replace our cars as needed using cash.

Still, my wife says since I never expressed a desire for a motorcycle until about a year ago, that it's a mid-life crisis.

So is it by definition? If not, what IS a mid-life crisis???

pumanator · #2 25th September 2005, 07:54 PM

I bought the jeep I had always dreamed of since I was a kid

. I live in the mtns so it will get used in the snow but I probably could have lived without it.

With kids that young you might consider this; emergency room personnel call them Donor/cycles. I personally have passed by 2 fatalities on the mountain roads where I live. If you have to have it, then buy a million dollar life insurance policy to cover your family. I think bikes are cool but with the way ppl drive these days the road has become a scary place. I drive for a living and have seen too many white sheets covering ppl and the scene of an accident.

Also try changing the title of this thread to include the motor cycle idea and I bet you get lots of responces...I'm curious about what others think.

Good Topic

Mela'h · #3 25th September 2005, 09:36 PM

I know. I personally don't like that when you reach a certain age, that any decision that you make that is kinda out of the norm, people say "Ah, it's a mid-life crisis." It is only a crisis if your decisions are hurting others or yourself.

I think that being 40 brings about alot of reflection and with me and my husband, certainly the attitude of "well, if we don't do it now, we never will."

Two years ago my husband and I went and did something we always wanted to do but fear of what others would think basically had us put it off. My husband got a wonderful tattoo of barbed wire around his upper arm and I got my eyebrow pierced! We surprised quite a few people at our church I tell you!

I think the abandon that comes with age is a good thing. I guess people who don't understand it or are afraid of it may call it a "mid-life crisis", I just call it life

A doctor in our town is driving around on a new Harley He is about 40-50. I think it's great that he's doing it and be darned with what people think!!

WolfGate · #4 25th September 2005, 10:12 PM

pumanator - ironically, the $1M life insurance you suggest is what I have. Hmmm, perhaps that's why my wife's OK with the idea...

Seriously, I understand there's risk. My wife and I both bicycle now, and while the speeds are slower than a motorcycle, there's added risk by not going along with the flow of traffic.

cookieboo - thanks for the story. I like the "i just call it life" philosophy.

SHEApherd · #5 26th September 2005, 02:53 AM

My dad got the default, a Porsche. He loved cars as it was, so it wasn't a big step. He got an Audi and a BMW after that, so it wasn't out of his normal. I'm 22 and I think I"m going through a mid-mid-life crisis. If college ending is bad, I don't want to see what I'm like when I have to go out and buy a Porsche.

I pray for you guys, just remember, live everyday to its fulest potential and trust God for what he has in store for you.

country woman · #6 26th September 2005, 01:22 PM

I am 42 and I am thinking of horse back riding lessons. First I need the money and secondly I need a ride to the stables. So I guess I am out of luck.

~Wisdom Seeker~ · #7 26th September 2005, 04:14 PM

Originally Posted by WolfGate

Bottom line - at 43, I want to buy my first motorcycle. My wife is OK with it, but she did say everyone (including her?) will think I'm having a mid-life crisis. Am I?

Always thought a "mid-life" crisis meant you were somehow discontent. I don't think that I am. I'm still healthy, active and work out regularly. I love my wife and kids without regrets. I enjoy my job.

At 43, I'm finally at a point financially where I can consider a frivilous expenditure. Our only debt is our house, and the mortgage is only 10% of our income. We're putting money aside for retirement and kids (4 and 6 years old) education. We have a regular plan to replace our cars as needed using cash.

Still, my wife says since I never expressed a desire for a motorcycle until about a year ago, that it's a mid-life crisis.

So is it by definition? If not, what IS a mid-life crisis???

A midlife crisis is by definition when you look at your life and realize that you aren't who you meant to be and you kind of panic because you think your time is running out to be that person.

The reason the Midlife Crisis has such a bad rep, is because it's associated with the stereotype of men trading in their wife for a younger model and their family for a new red sports car.

WolfGate · #8 26th September 2005, 05:47 PM

Originally Posted by ~Laurenda~

A midlife crisis is by definition when you look at your life and realize that you aren't who you meant to be and you kind of panic because you think your time is running out to be that person.

The reason the Midlife Crisis has such a bad rep, is because it's associated with the stereotype of men trading in their wife for a younger model and their family for a new red sports car.

Laurenda - that's a very well expressed definition. Thank you. And it lines up well with my perception of a mid-life crisis.

I really don't think I'm having one. But I guess if I do this many others will!

~Wisdom Seeker~ · #9 26th September 2005, 06:19 PM

They may. But, do you care?

You remember that old saying "you can please some of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time"? Someone will always find fault with what you do, no matter what it is.

The great thing IMO about being fortysomething is that the scales tip a little and popular opinion just doesn't seem to weigh as much as it used to.

Who cares what people think? Life's short!

jusluvm · #10 26th September 2005, 09:10 PM

Go for it! We ain't gettin' any younger. Leave the kids with grandma and take your bride on a very romantic road trip.

The only thing that would create a crisis out of you wanting a motorcycle is if you had it in mind to run off with your young neighbor's pretty little red-headed wife.

Laurenda's right---in both her posts!

Don't worry about what "everyone" will think. This is not a crisis. This is realizing a dream.