The Midlife Crisis Handbook: Finding Direction in the Second Half of Life Paperback – 22 Feb. 2023

This book is fantastic. Whatever curve calls life throws at you mid-life you’ll find explanations and most importantly facts and tips on how to handle them. It’s a great read.

I'm giving this book four stars as Julie is an excellent therapist and I follow her on TikTok. I'd like to give it one but that would be unfair and would indicate I am overly triggered and need to do even more inner work than I realised.I was bitterly disappointed that the flavour of the books first section was based on the underlying assumption is that everyone by say 50 if well off, have a pension lined up, have a career they are bored in, a relationship or just out of a relationship and facing an empty nest. I'm 52. Very much based on her personal peer group. This reminded me of Boomer mentality. Not the vibrant tribe of women, many whom are lone parents and actively dating, have navigated breakups at a younger age (assuming baby daddy even managed to stick around) and/or swathes of victims of SA or Narc abuse etc..which accounts for a HUGE proportion of women (&men).The 14 areas to assess..a lot of us are on the floor and have never made it past 2/10 in some of the areas despite extensive self development and self directed healing to the best of our ability with the resources we have available.Do I accept I am triggered and need to explore the reasons for this? Yes, absolutely.So I continued. The next section entitled 'Responsibility' basically said you can't keep blaming everyone or your dysfunctional parents for where you are now and take responsibility not be a victim. Even if your parent is an alcoholic.Some of us are survivors..adult children of alcoholics and Sabuse etc. We have spent years healing our inner child and understanding that actually, our insecure attachment style actually ISN'T our fault. There is a BIG difference in accepting, forgiving, healing, doing the work and taking responsibility for your life moving forward and being told in this book to accept it's you that's got you in the place you are and to stop being the victim.I'm sure if you're a middle class professional who is a bit bored the book will be for you.For anyone who has already fought tooth and nail to overcome challenges, I see see little merit in the book.Julie does offer sessions for £150 a pop though, after re-evaluating her own business model. More money for less hours..you too could be like her. If you can sleep at night, obviously.

I read about this book in The Times last Saturday and had ordered it before finishing the article. As a 49yo woman, currently going through peri-menopause, struggling with the imminent departure of my son to university and generally being eaten up by existential angst and a sense of loss, I can't tell you how much I needed this book.Dr Julie articulates perfectly the angst, fear and confusion of the midlife crisis and offers steps to address this really unsettling period of life. She just GETS it. I have ordered copies of this book for all my fellow midlife friends and can't stop raving about it. Incredible. Thank you, Julie :-)

This book has been so helpful. An enjoyable read and really accessible. Easy to understand concepts and theories I hadn’t come across before. Importantly it has enabled me to really start to search for meaning and better understand and get to know the current me. I’m now starting to discover what is important to me in midlife….which is very different to my earlier years! I feel like my journey has now begun toward a more fulfilling life. The future is now an exciting prospect! Thank you Dr Julie Hannan, Great book!

One of the most practical books I've read in the genre of personal-development. Well written and enjoyable..with clear action steps.

All I can say is that I wish this book had been written before now!!! A really practical guide to helping in a crucial and confusing time in your life. I understand this subject much better now. Definitely recommend it.

Dr Julie Hannan shows a true understanding of the issues many of us face during this phase of life. She gives practical tips that are easy to implement - not to avoid the transition but to embrace it.

This book was a revelation! I highly recommend it to anyone struggling with midlife.