What if a midlife crisis is actually a wake up call?
If you grew up with family dysfunction, midlife can be especially trying. Your childhood taught you to be the good one, the easy one. You learned that you might get a little more of the care you needed if you didn't need too much. You didn't want to be like the sibling or parent that created so much drama - so you became hyper responsible.
After 40, you don't have the energy to keep smiling through gritted teeth. If you're in peri/menopause, the hormones and hot flashes make everything harder. When being the easy one was how you coped, imagining upsetting others feels genuinely scary.
So you feel stuck.
Been There, Felt That
Julie Levin, MA, MFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist and author of After 40, Meaning of Life Journal, helping midlife adults find greater fulfillment and purpose.
I come from a family fraught with compulsive behavior and dysfunctional communication patterns. So I know what it's like when a family member is unpredictable, embarrassing or untrustworthy. And, through my 40s, I felt this growing sense of dread when I scheduled visits.
I was so lucky to find a therapist who taught me how to:
- Set firm, kind boundaries
- Nurture myself in ways that healed my childhood trauma
- Transform my codependent tendencies into radical self-care
- Discover what genuine self-worth feels like
Now, it's my pleasure and honor to share this process with clients.
Together we can discover ways to give yourself the calm, peace, and emotional safety you need to feel grounded and centered in your own needs and wants.
We can work on setting boundaries that avoid shame, blame, and drama.
And you can begin to think about what you want the second half of your life to look like - without having to sacrifice your wellbeing to please others.
What we might work on together...
I always start with a free 20-minute phone call to ensure we're a good fit and answer all your questions.
Schedule Your Free ConsultationMore Resources for Your Midlife Journey
After 40: Meaning of Life Journal
A guide to navigating the second half of life with intention and purpose.
View on Amazon →
The View from Over the Hill
Personal reflections on aging, growth, and the wisdom that comes with experience.
Read my Substack →