The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily

1429: Midlife Crisis by Jane Zwart

Jan 7, 2026
Dive into the intriguing reflections on aging and midlife surprises. The host shares a personal journey, revealing that she feels younger than ever, despite the challenges of maturity. Discover how perspectives shift in midlife, challenging childhood assumptions about aging. A powerful poem, 'Midlife Crisis' by Jane Zwart, resonates deeply, exploring the complexities and unexpected joys of this life stage. Enjoy a heartfelt conversation about the beauty of growing older and celebrating time.
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ANECDOTE

Feeling Younger In Midlife

  • Maggie Smith recounts a friend's comment that she seems to be 'reverse aging' in spirit despite physical signs of getting older.
  • She describes feeling lighter in midlife even with increased responsibilities like solo parenting and aging parents.
INSIGHT

Perspective Lightens The Load

  • Maggie Smith notices that age brings perspective that lets her prioritize what matters and let the rest go.
  • She finds midlife upends expectations about aging and can feel more youthful than a decade prior.
ANECDOTE

River Imagery Of Aging

  • The poem offers vivid river imagery: kayaks, shallows, tributaries, and rowing toward an acknowledged end.
  • It portrays yearning for aging's visible signs and then a strong, renewed rowing against oblivion.
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