Midlife Monday ~ A Time of Contentment

 Midlife Monday ~ Midlife - it's a time of contentment and self acceptance

WORRIES AND WOES

I took a survey today - to help another blogger who was looking for ways to encourage midlifers to deal with their worries and problems. What I realized as I answered the questions is......I don't really have any worries or problems at the moment. I'm in a place of contentment and I feel a real sense of satisfaction with my life right here and right now.

Our society tells us we should always be striving for more, we don't have enough, and if we have enough now, what about tomorrow? Or next year? Or our retirement? Or what we're going to be leaving for our children's inheritance? More! More! More! seems to be the catchcry of our generation - being content to live within our means and to have less than the Joneses next door is almost unheard of.

COMPARISONS

Facebook is constantly showing me pictures of my midlife friends tripping around the world, eating out at expensive restaurants, seeing the latest shows or buying new houses. This used to leave me feeling a little bit "less", but now I really don't care. I don't want to work more hours each week to have the extra I'd need to do these things. I don't want to trade my leisure for more work to earn more money to have more luxuries.

What's the matter with me? Why don't I want to be part of this consumer society? Why don't the multitude of catalogues arriving in my mailbox daily tempt me to go out and buy stuff I really don't need? Why don't I feel the need to compete and to out-do others? Why am I happy just being okay with my life as it is?

I guess it's because I see the other side of the coin. I see the cost involved and the stress and the price you pay for a lot of these 'added extras' and I don't want to pay the piper. There is a bible verse that says "Godliness with contentment is great gain" and I couldn't agree more. Contentment with what I have, being okay with the lifestyle I lead - it's all so restful. No striving, no competition, no envy, no dissatisfaction - just a sense of peace with my life and my place in the world.

Midlife Monday ~ Midlife - it's a time of contentment and self acceptance

PEACE AND CONTENTMENT

There is always more that we'd gladly take if it was offered at no extra cost. Later this week I'm doing 5 Birthday Wishes for my "Five Things Friday" post  (it's my birthday that day so I'm allowed to dream a little). But in all honesty, as much as it would be nice to have my wishes granted, I am quite happy with the way my life is right now.

I'm not perfect, my life isn't perfect, my marriage isn't perfect, my family and friends aren't perfect, my job's not perfect.....but despite the lack of perfection, everything is pretty darn fine. I wake up in the morning and I smile. Sometimes I have a gripe or two about my dodgy hip, or about having to go to work on a lovely sunny day, or about the lack of exciting things happening. We all have our moments of discontent, but for me they are truly 'moments' and are such a small part of my overall life.

LESS IS MORE

I'm not sure if it's an age and stage thing, or just the completion of a learning process, but this is a time of peace and contentment for me. I have financial security, a lovely husband, a home that feels like a haven, thriving grown and flown children who are happy in their lives, a beautiful grandbaby, a job that I actually enjoy going to, great friends.... and the list goes on. What more could I ask for? Luxuries are lovely, but Godliness and contentment are worth their weight in gold. 

I read somewhere "the more you have, the more you want" and that can be true for so many - so for me, less is more and life is grand - a time of contentment indeed!

Midlife Monday ~ Midlife - it's a time of contentment and self acceptance

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55 comments

  1. Anonymous31 October 2016 at 17:50

    Great post! It's so nice to be at a place in life where your perspectives change.

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    1. Leanne31 October 2016 at 18:32

      it's so lovely to find out that I'm actually in a really happy place - I hope you are too Jose!

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  2. MLQ31 October 2016 at 19:54

    All so true ...... and I needed this reminder this morning! Thank you, Leanne! A reminder to find gratitude in what is and not focusing on what 'should' be. :) When I let go of my expectations with acceptance, good things happen.
    https://meinthemiddlewrites.com/

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    1. Leanne1 November 2016 at 18:06

      Letting go of expectations is such a huge learning curve Mary Lou, but it frees us up to enjoy the here and now - and that's what contentment is all about.

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  3. Middle-aged Diva (Carol)31 October 2016 at 21:01

    I have found that now that we are in our "retirement" sized home and it's decorated,I have no need to crazily acquire everything I see. It's a weird feeling but a good one.
    Carol
    http://carolcassara.com/all-souls/

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    1. Leanne1 November 2016 at 18:07

      It's nice to be able to buy an occasional "something" because you love it rather than feeling the need to acquire everything you see - and it saves a lot of money too :)

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  4. Haralee31 October 2016 at 21:34

    Contentment is nice! Good health and a safe and loving home and family, what else is there?

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    1. Leanne1 November 2016 at 18:08

      I don't think there's much more any of us could ask for Haralee - really those things sum up a good life don't they?

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  5. Ellen Dolgen31 October 2016 at 23:14

    How beautiful to have such love, peace, joy and contentment in your life. Most people never realize what is actual important in life, until it is too late to enjoy it. You go girl!

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    1. Leanne1 November 2016 at 18:09

      Thanks Ellen :) It's such a waste to live life always looking for the next "hit" and missing out on those lovely little things we have right now. We need to slow down and smell the roses more often don't we?

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  6. Antionette Blake1 November 2016 at 01:19

    Life is too short to want to live someone elses' - great post.

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    1. Leanne1 November 2016 at 18:09

      Couldn't have said it better myself Antionette :)

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  7. Laurie Stone1 November 2016 at 04:29

    Love this, Leanne. How wonderful that you realize you're lucky. Some have all those things and don't see it. Sounds like you have a wonderful life, no doubt deserved.

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    1. Leanne1 November 2016 at 18:10

      Thanks Laurie - I think a lot of us have that wake-up moment in midlife when we stop and look around us and realize life is pretty darn good. Dwelling on the less than perfect parts is such a waste of time.

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  8. Beth, AgingasGracefullyasICan.com1 November 2016 at 05:46

    I think that at some point, the gift of midlife is contentment.

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    1. Leanne1 November 2016 at 18:11

      Me too Beth - if you don't get it by the time you're 50, then the next 50 years are going to be just as fraught as the first 50 - and that's really sad.

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  9. Doreen McGettigan1 November 2016 at 06:09

    This is beautiful Leann and I could not agree more. I love the saying too, perfect!

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    1. Leanne1 November 2016 at 18:11

      It sums the whole idea of being content with everything being "okay" doesn't it Doreen? We don't need perfection or every luxury if we learn to enjoy what we have here and now.

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  10. Rebecca Olkowski1 November 2016 at 08:27

    I would say I'm contented about most things but not everything. However, I don't let it get me down.

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    1. Leanne1 November 2016 at 18:12

      There's always something that we can improve on isn't there Rebecca? The secret is to enjoy what you've achieved and quietly whittle away at those things you have on your "wish list"

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  11. Lois Alter Mark1 November 2016 at 09:38

    It's so interesting how we change our perspective over time, isn't it? I also have lost interest in most material things, and I wouldn't trade my time or experiences for "luxuries." Those ARE luxuries!

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    1. Leanne1 November 2016 at 18:13

      I think we come to a point where competition and sacrificing our contentment for the sake of accumulating more stuff just loses its appeal Lois - that's when you know you've succeeded in life.

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  12. Janet Camilleri1 November 2016 at 13:57

    It is a precious thing to be content :-)

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    1. Leanne1 November 2016 at 18:14

      It most certainly is Janet - and so nice to find it in my life :)

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  13. EstelleSErasmus1 November 2016 at 20:06

    I love your perspective and agree with you 100%!
    Estelle

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    1. Leanne3 November 2016 at 09:22

      thanks Estelle - it's a lovely place to find ourselves in isn't it?

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  14. Diane Stringam Tolley1 November 2016 at 20:25

    This is wonderful, Leanne! And I agree. It is so easy to look over the fence and see what everyone else has. Why not look inward and count our own blessings!

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    1. Leanne3 November 2016 at 09:23

      So true Diane - if we stop envying others and start appreciating our own blessings, life becomes much more serene.

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  15. ThinkWriteInspire3 November 2016 at 00:45

    Just perfect! I couldn't agree with you more. Thanks for all the great reminders of what's really important in life.

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    1. Leanne3 November 2016 at 09:24

      My pleasure - I wanted to encourage others to think about how good their life really is, and stop looking at what they don't have. :)

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  16. Jo ~ Lifestyle Fifty and ZigaZag3 November 2016 at 09:44

    I agree ... the more you have the more you want, and I also agree about not wanting to pay the piper! Yes, it's a precious thing to be content. I love your outlook on life :) I'm content most of the time - especially when I'm walking in the country - that's my me space of true contentment. Jo ~ Lifestyle Fifty #teamlovinlife

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    1. Leanne3 November 2016 at 20:12

      I think we all have special places where we feel connected to ourselves and at peace Jo - that's what contentment is all about ultimately.

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  17. In The Good Books Blog3 November 2016 at 10:44

    I agree too. Life isn't about having the best of everything, it's about making the best of what you have

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    1. Leanne3 November 2016 at 20:13

      Exactly! Life doesn't have to be perfect as the world sees it - it needs to be appreciated and then it becomes perfect in its own way.

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  18. Lyndall @SeizeTheDayProject3 November 2016 at 13:39

    You're so right Leanne. At this stage in life, I feel more contented and less competitive. I do things because I want to do them, not because I feel compelled to do them. It's bliss! :) #TeamLovinLife

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    1. Leanne3 November 2016 at 20:14

      Bliss is the perfect adjective isn't it Lyndall - I love that midlife brings that sense of release and the freedom to let others do what they want without having to compete!

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  19. Debbish3 November 2016 at 14:24

    Oh I love what you've said about contentment. It's something I strive for and I think I'm closer than I used to be when I expected far more of myself and others! #teamlovinlife

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    1. Leanne3 November 2016 at 20:15

      I'm loving that I've finally found that place of being at peace with my life Deb - it's a strange feeling after all those years of striving - but a great feeling none the less :)

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  20. Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit4 November 2016 at 03:20

    I love the peaceful confidence that has come with my mid life. I wouldn't change my age for the world because it has brought with it so much wisdom and a soothing inner peace that I would never have imagined possible back in my younger adult years.
    Thanks so much for joining the Lovin' Life Linky! Hope to see you back next Thursday.
    #TeamLovinLife

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    1. Leanne4 November 2016 at 18:34

      It was a pleasure to find the Linky Leanne (you can tell we were born in the 60/70's era by that name!) and I completely agree about finding so much peace at this stage of life - it's a lovely time indeed.

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  21. Unknown4 November 2016 at 14:09

    You have hit the nail right on the head here Leanne. We do live in a competitive world where there is so much pressure on us to have material possessions, thriving careers, have a full life with overseas travel and dining out at fancy restaurants, when sometimes all we want is to live life simply. I enjoy a lot of the simple things in life and hate being competitive with anyone, whose life looks more interesting on the exterior, because I have grown to realise that what you see on the outside isn't necessarily true. I love my simple life blogging, walking my dog, photography nature, trips away in the caravan and spending time with my family. :)

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    1. Leanne4 November 2016 at 18:35

      I've found the same thing Kathy - often the people I thought had it easiest were fighting battles behind the scenes that I never dreamt of. I'll take midlife mellow any day - especially now Spring is finally setting in and the days are so beautiful - what's not to love?

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  22. Stepping Into Sixty6 November 2016 at 17:46

    I'm over the top and well into midlife - I absolutely love my life now and have never been happier #Dreamandsparkle

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    1. Leanne15 November 2016 at 19:55

      I'm the same Christine - who'd have thought that this time of life would be so special and so much fun?!

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  23. kayleigh6 November 2016 at 17:51

    It's so great that you have that kind of inner peace and general contentment with life. I think when you just start feeling great about what you have it makes a world of difference. Not comparing yourself to others really helps too. Thanks so much for sharing this at #Dreamandsparkle we hope to see you back next week.

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    1. Leanne15 November 2016 at 19:56

      Thanks Kat - I hope I give you something to look forward to about getting older - it's not all downhill and boring, it's a great stage of life and so pleasant to be in.

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  24. Nikki7 November 2016 at 17:56

    This is such a great post, I too can be guilty of comparing myself to others especially on facebook! Thanks for joining us at #DreamandSparkle and hopefully see you next week!

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    1. Leanne15 November 2016 at 19:57

      Comparison really is the thief of joy isn't it Nikki - and facebook can be a killer in that regard. I decided a while ago to moderate what comes into my inbox - anyone who plasters their amazingness all over the place gets blocked - it's better for my mental health!

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  25. Jenniferannifer8 November 2016 at 23:46

    What a lovely post, I'm so happy that you're having such a nice time :)

    #DreamsAndSparkles

    (http://accidentalhipstermum.com)

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    1. Leanne15 November 2016 at 19:57

      Thanks Jen - it's a great stage of life and one I bet you'll be rocking when your turn comes!

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  26. Jean | DelightfulRepast.com11 November 2016 at 11:50

    Leanne, love this post! I so agree with you! Must tweet this now.

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    1. Leanne15 November 2016 at 19:58

      thanks so much Jean - I'm not a tweeter, so anybody who does it for me gets brownie points :)

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  27. Dee | GrammysGrid.com12 November 2016 at 13:16

    I used to collect various things, (dolls, lighthouses, salt and pepper shakers) but now I am decluttering, no more collecting and junking up the house with all that stuff! I wonder now why I ever wanted it all when what I want now is peace and joy, a clean house, and time to just enjoy the good things in life, the really important things like family, good friends, and our precious grandbabies. I saw you featured at Blogger's Pit Stop and thought I'd invite you to party with us at Blogging Grandmothers Link Party at ( http://grammysgrid.com )

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    1. Leanne15 November 2016 at 19:59

      Thanks so much for the invitation - I would love to link up - you sound like you are on exactly the same wavelength as me when it comes to whats important and valuable and what can be discarded without a backward glance!

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  28. Unknown24 January 2017 at 02:30

    That is such a great Post! I am now retired, except for my Blog. I do enjoy talking to my other Blogger Friends. I am also decluttering, I find I just don't want extra stuff. I don't enjoy spending money on Me. My Husband and I would rather buy materials to fix up our house. We don't go out and Party, what a waste of time and money. We'd rather spend a quiet time at home with each other. Life is good.

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