Hi, my name's Andy Aitch, the webmaster behind this exciting project. Thanks for visiting the site. 50ish.org is continually being updated with topical content written by middle-aged men, for men of middle age. If you're male and over 40, then welcome, you're in the right place.

A man's mid-life transition often brings an increase in the following areas of concern:

• Visible signs of aging (namely sagging skin, greying, and hair loss)
• Health issues associated with ageing
• Fear of financial uncertainty
• Failed relationships (to include being alone)
• Losing one's identity/usefulness with age

Sometimes, men fear a humdrum lifestyle with more monotony than variety to look forward to in the years ahead. However middle age treats a man, there is always opportunity to make life better by developing some simple mindset adjustments towards attitude and outlook on life.

"When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change" ~ Wayne Dyer

If you can relate to any of the above, then you're definitely in the right place. Welcome to 50ish.org, a project inspired by the over 40s, for men of middle age everywhere.

Not all Men suffer a Mid-life Crisis

Few men in their 40s & 50s would confess to symptoms of a midlife-crisis. Less likely is a 'manly man' admitting to the world that he's experiencing the male menopause (aka andro-pause), but it's occurring nonetheless!

Not every middle aged man goes through a 'silly period' during this stage of his natural development. But every man, no matter who he is, or where he comes from, WILL face some unfamiliar challenges during his middle years.

It is the sole purpose of 50ish.org to discuss men's issues, look at solutions to problems, and to share tips and ideas on how to live a fulfilling life during those middle years.

THE 4 AREAS OF CONCERN FOR MIDDLE AGED GUYS

"You die if you worry - you die if you don't. So why worry?" (Easier said than done, right?)

1. Health: Middle-age health concerns can become quite bothersome for a lot of men as they grow older, particularly the thought of cancer, heart attack and stroke. The suggestion of men over 50 getting that 'finger up the bum' prostate exam once a year is enough to have any mid-lifer running for them there hills.

Another health concern is that of middle-age spread. With it comes a whole range of potential health complications that occur directly from being an overweight man in midlife transition.

"He who has health, has hope; and he who has hope, has everything". ~ Thomas Carlyle

2. Finance: Fears of financial insecurity can trigger a lot of anxiety in middle age, especially long term concerns. There's also that dark cloud of job uncertainty forever hovering above the heads of men. Additionally, the rising cost of living hinders man's attempts to save for his future financial comfort.

Throughout life, money comes and money goes, but by the time a man reaches his 50's, it becomes ever more important to get his finances into some kind of order.

"Money is not the only answer, but it makes a difference". ~ Barack Obama

3. Relationships: The threat of erectile dysfunction (ED) is a concern for many a man in the throes of midlife. The flip side of this is when middle aged men are still full of testosterone and sexual desire but no longer have the opportunity to satisfy these needs (see below).

Commitment, generosity, and a listening ear are vital to the health of any mid-life relationship. Nevertheless, these things alone are not always enough. If sexual fulfilment is wanted by the man but rejected by the woman, this can place immense stress on any relationship, particularly for those men entering into the early years of middle age.

"People change and forget to tell each other". ~ Lillian Hellman

But relationships are not restricted to love and love making. How we get along with people in general is fundamental to being happy and fulfilled as people.

"The quality of your life is the quality of your relationships." ~ Anthony Robbins

4. Lifestyle: According to psychotherapists, a man undergoing transition into middle age tends to spend quite a bit of time reflecting on his past. This self-probing often begins by looking at the lifestyle choices he has made. All too frequently, this experience does not prove to be a positive one.

'Look at life through the windshield, not the rear-view mirror'. ~ Byrd Baggett

When a middle-aged man starts to believe he's accomplished very little, or not as much as he could have done, both within his personal and professional life, there comes a real risk for depression. When allowed to fester, depression is debilitating, constraining, and obstructs any hope of contentment for the one who suffers.

'A man is not old until his dreams become his regrets'. ~ English Proverb

The above proverb tells us that any maturing male still has unlimited opportunities before him providing he's physically and mentally able, and willing to take up new challenges.

Midlife Changes in Attitude and Outlook are Normal

As we men grow older, changes are both natural and inevitable. The transformations that occur at midlife don't have to be negative nor contain fear, anxiety, and pessimistic uncertainty about the future. They often do, but the really don't have to.

Midlife transitions do not have to result in male midlife crises. By developing, or maintaining a positive mind-set, there will be great times ahead for any man who strives for them.

"Aging seems to be the only available way to live a long life." ~ Daniel Francois Esprit Auber

If you've read down this far, you'll now realise that there is more to getting older than just that of a physical nature. Psychological and spiritual changes take place too as men evolve from their relative youthfulness into a period of mid-life adjustment.

"The best is yet to come.' ~ William Shakespeare

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It is the sole purpose of this website to help make these middle years a time of fulfilment, self discovery, and camaraderie as we join together and work towards a period in our lives that will be constructive, happy, and as free from strife as possible.

If it is to be, it is up to me!

By accepting those things in life that we cannot change, like growing older, greyer, fatter, and looser, can we then focus on those things we can do something about, such as an insistence on living life to our full potential.

Scientific studies have shown time and time again that physical and mental deterioration within middle-aged men can be slowed down considerably simply by embracing a healthier, happier lifestyle, and what man wouldn't want a slice of that cake?

Come join us, welcome your middle age and march forward with your fellow mid-lifers. Let us strive to get the best out of living life to the max as contented and confident middle-aged men.

The NEW 50ish Interactive Community

Please join the conversations in the all new 50ish community forum. We'd love to meet you.

Thanks for reading this introduction. We hope you'll stick around as the site develops ;).

Andy Aitch | Contact me here