Is it a midlife crisis or identity crisis? When life feels chaotic in your 40s or 50s, the label matters less than understanding what's actually happening. Learn the real difference between midlife crisis and identity crisis, why both point to the same underlying experience, and practical tools for navigating major life transitions at any age.

Looking back, I can see that the worst points in my adult life came after losing roles I'd tied my identity to. The end of my marriage felt like I'd failed as a person. Being let go from a job felt like I'd failed as a person. Losing a role felt like losing my sense of self.