Midlife Is Not a Deadline

The “clock” you feel is really a compass.

At some point, usually somewhere between your late thirties and mid-fifties, you wake up and realize your life’s become extremely efficient.

You know how to do your job, which groceries to buy, and which conversation topics are safe at family gatherings. You also know which friendships require scheduling six weeks in advance, and which ones have quietly turned into “we should catch up sometime” in human form.

You’re functional. Reliable. Very good at keeping the wheels on.

And then a weird question creeps in, like a pop-up ad you can’t close.

Is this it?