Honest midlife truths no one warned us about

Let’s get it out in the open first up: midlife truths are like that one friend who always tells it like it is – brutally honest, but also weirdly comforting.

Midlife isn’t a curated Instagram highlight reel; rather, it’s more like a series of outtakes where you’re winging it and hoping for the best. It’s that special season of life where you find yourself Googling, “Is it normal to feel exhausted all the time?” while simultaneously trying to figure out TikTok slang to stay “relevant.”

However, midlife is also full of truths – the kind that make you laugh, cry, and occasionally shake your fist at the sky. So, let’s dive into some of these midlife truths and see if we can’t find the humour in the chaos.

1. Your body has a mind of its own

One of the undeniable midlife truths? Your body will betray you in the most creative ways. Suddenly, your knees creak louder than your floorboards, and you can’t eat spicy food after 8pm unless you want to perform a late-night fire-breathing act. And don’t get me started on how long it takes to recover from anything – a workout, a late night, or even just sitting in a chair for too long.

But hey, you’ve still got your sense of humour, right? After all, laughing counts as cardio now, and your midlife body is just giving you new ways to stay entertained.

2. Friendships get real (and sometimes disappear)

One of the hardest midlife truths? Some friends stick around, others fade away, and you’re too tired to chase the ones who ghosted. Instead of big nights out, your ideal hangout now involves comfy pants, wine, and a friend who doesn’t mind if you’re in bed by 9pm.

As a result, midlife teaches you to treasure the real ones – the friends who show up when life gets messy and don’t judge you for forgetting their birthday. Twice.

3. Your career doesn’t define you (but it tries)

At some point, you realise one of the greatest midlife truths: your job is just a job. It’s not your soul or your entire identity. That said, it’s hard to feel zen about work when your email inbox has decided to stage a mutiny.

For that reason, midlife is the perfect time to evaluate what you really want. Maybe it’s a promotion, maybe it’s a pivot, or maybe it’s just fewer meetings that could’ve been emails. Whatever it is, you’re finally learning to call the shots.

4. You care less about the small stuff (except when you don’t)

Midlife truths also include a surprising contradiction: you’ve stopped sweating the small stuff – until you suddenly care deeply about the exact right shade of charcoal for your new curtains. Priorities shift, and it’s oddly liberating to let go of some things while obsessing over others that matter to you.

In the end, you’re the boss of your own weird little kingdom, and it’s glorious.

5. Time becomes your most precious commodity

If there’s one midlife truth that hits hard, it’s this: time is your most valuable asset. Suddenly, every hour feels like a negotiation. Is this worth my time? Is this adding joy or meaning to my life?

Because of this, midlife gives you the courage to say “no” without guilt and “yes” without overthinking. It’s about trimming the fat – and that doesn’t just mean your schedule; it’s also about relationships, obligations, and unnecessary drama.

Embracing midlife truths

Here’s the thing: midlife is not a Pinterest-worthy smoothie bowl. Instead, it’s more like that slightly overcooked lasagne that still tastes amazing. The unpolished midlife truths remind us that perfection is overrated. It’s the mess, the laughter, and the moments of raw honesty that make this stage of life truly beautiful.

So here’s to us – the midlife adventurers, the chaos navigators, the ones who know that it’s okay to be a little unpolished.

Life after 40 is messy and wonderful.

Would we have it any other way? (Don’t answer that).

Em x

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