Are Mid-Life Crisis Happening At An Earlier Age?

Growing up I heard the phrase "Mid-Life Crisis" a lot.  I always associated it with older people wanting to be young, but are mid-life crisis happening at a younger age?

When I hear mid-life crisis, I think of a person in their late 40's/early 50's.  I think of people trying to regain their youth.  I picture a woman dating younger men or men buying red sports cars.  People impulsively quitting their jobs or filing for a divorce.

As I get older, I see that those are all stereotypes.  While some of that is true, mid life crisis happens in different ways.

I was talking to my neighbor the other day, who is only 34, and she was telling me that she feels that she is going through a mid life crisis.  I was shocked!  34 is not mid-life.  So I began asking her all kinds of questions.

Mostly, she feels that she hasn't accomplished her life goals.  She is a successful accountant, but to her that is unfulfilling.  She said that she expected to be married with children by now.  And while her job pays very well, she feels that she isn't doing enough.

She has thought about quitting her job and going to work for different charities.  She has been going out more than ever and partying like she is 21.

Unfulfilled.  That word is what stuck out.  Her life is unfulfilling.  And while I understand that she wants things, she sounds a little depressed to me.  I had no idea that people at the age of 34 could feel the way she does.

Could I be next?  I am not far from 34 and I would hate to feel the way she does.  Does everyone go through a mid-life crisis and are they happening at an earlier age?

I hope not.  I think that life is what you make of it.  If your job is unfulfilling, do some volunteer work on the side.  Make your life what you want it to be.

Have you or are you going through a mid-life crisis?  What crazy things did you do or buy?