Awakening at Midlife: A Guide to Reviving Your Spirit, Recreating Your Life, and Returning to Your Truest Self

by Kathleen A. Brehony

Fraught with physical, relational, professional, and psychological changes, midlife can be a challenging time. But according to Jungian-oriented psychotherapist Kathleen Brehony, "tranformation at midlife offers unparalleled opportunities for a rich, meaningful second half of life."With special sections on recovering childhood dreams, enriching creative expression, learning to appreciate our physical selves, heightening consciousness, and more, this guide is a wake-up call for anyone who wants to reassess one's beliefs and find a path that leads to greater fulfillment, happiness, and passion for life's journey.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Self Help, Personal Development, Spirituality

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Kathleen Brehony is a personal and executive coach whose work blends decades of experience as a psychologist, writer, speaker, and media personality. Guided by the belief that people already hold the inner resources needed for growth, she helps clients pursue meaningful goals and live with purpose. A former Jungian-oriented psychotherapist, she spent more than twenty years in private practice and has taught at the university level while leading workshops on creativity, spirituality, and life transitions.
Kathleen is the author of several acclaimed books, including Awakening at Midlife, Ordinary Grace, After the Darkest Hour, and Living a Connected Life. Her work has inspired national media features, including a PBS special based on Awakening at Midlife. Alongside her writing and coaching, she has contributed widely to radio, television, and print, always aiming to bring insight to a broad audience.

Reviews

[Marianne Mullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I needed this book right now in my life. I loved the stories, the various sources and research the author wove in. I almost could restart it again today. So worth the read if you are struggling with midlife issues.

1/29/21 Reread again and it still is so poignant, honest, and thought provoking. Definitely a favorite for self reflection and growth.

[Karla Osorno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating 4.25 stars.

This book was recommended as part of a class I enrolled in last year. I read half of it during the class and then set it aside for a time, always intending to finish it. I’m glad I did. There are many concepts in every chapter that are beneficial personally and professionally, the stories are appropriate and helpful in understanding the points the author makes and the midlife journey (approximately 40-55 but unique for each person). Anyone at any age wanting to live authentically could benefit from this content.

Kathleen A. Brehony has a PhD in clinical psychology and a Jungian- oriented psychotherapist. She is an expert in her field and also personally experiences the midlife passage she writes about. The book is well researched and also highly readable.

I have many takeaways for myself (and clients) and a better understanding of the complicated feelings people experience around loss, limits, potential, and meaning when they reach a certain age. I am so glad I read this and will keep it close at hand because it is so helpful and practical. This book is for people who haven’t “felt like themselves for a long time” and what to live with intention, fully awake mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

[Kathy Winterburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful and compassionate book for those of us in midlife. She uses a metaphor that I particularly like(it's long!) :

"At midlife we are like a caterpillar,incapable of stretching
anymore,shedding its skin and entering into a crysalis where
it rests and creates the fluids necessary that will become
the wings and body of the butterfly. When it is ready, it
splits open, pumps fluids into it's body and begins to fly.
The emergence of the butterfly...demands the sacrifice of
the caterpillar (old self)"

[Kasey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so engaging, relateable, thorough, and well-written. I was floundering and overwhelmed with inner upheaval that didn't make sense, and this book made it all make sense. It was inspiring and hopeful, helping me dig myself out of the despair of getting older and being able to support myself to make the changes I need to in order to continue living joyfully. I'm grateful for this book!

[David Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent jungian take on things. The butterfly metaphor will stay with me for a long time to come.

[Sean Sexton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brehony gives us a nice treatise that describes a malady that is more common than most people think--a general psychological crisis that hits many of us at midlife as we reassess who we are and what we want to do with our lives.

Brehony starts by affirming that this is a fairly common and normal stage of adult psychological development, albeit disruptive and potentially quite unpleasant. She tells the story of her own mildlife issues, as well as stories of many of her patients.

The second half of the book looks at this experience from a number of different angles, offering suggestions on tools that we can use to transition through the journey. She talks about community, dreams, creativity, spirituality, and the physical aspects of paying attention to our bodies.

All in all, this is a nice addition a fairly thin canon on issues of adult development. Well worth a visit and worthy of sitting alongside pioneers like Gail Sheehy.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an excellent resource for ways in which to help yourself toward self-actualization during the so-called mid-life crisis. She relies heavily on Jungian psychology (fine with me; I love Jung), but also balances it with the Eastern traditions as well as Christian. There is A LOT of food for thought in here as well as an abundance of further things to look into and read in her copious notes.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ran into a friend who always has a good read that opens my mind and heart further. So far, lots of discussion about Jung psychology and also the importance of being present, which I dig!

--She requested it back, I never read too far into the dreamwork chapters but understood where the book was going.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of Jungian Psychology—the hero's journey. An enjoyable read and full of strategies for transforming life after mid-life.

[Glenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book came highly recommended by a friend. So far I can see why. I'll update as I progress through it.

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not what I expected.

[Kathy Adams]

Money well spent!!! This book has tons of great food for thought and would benefit anyone, any age!