I am a digital/web jack of all trades. I work full time as a digital designer and front end web developer, doing everything from UX research to UI design and web app development, though I also handle some aspects of digital product management; roadmaps, strategy etc, as well as bits of print design, video editing and whatever else is needed to get stuff done. It’s fun, and the diverse range of stuff to do keeps me interested.
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I work in an architecture, art, and design library. I’m fortunate enough to flex some creative skills, and get to shoot and edit interviews about local architects, as well as student artists that exhibit in our library. While I’m stuck on a computer most of the time, it is pretty great being around a largely creative bunch, and in a really calm and quite atmosphere.
Like @Wolf-Rami I have not desire to try and make people consume more goods and products, so this is a pretty ideal fit for my personality. I also am an avid woodworker (who doesn’t have enough time because of a small human who takes up most of it), and it is one of a few careers I’d be interested in. I have an BS in audio recording and an MS in media forensics, but both those fields either don’t pay, or are hard to get a job in unless you live in the right city. Also tried my hand at web design, but that field also seems pretty tough to get into.
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I have had a mid-life-crisis whole my life, never boring. Change is a constant.
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since 1,5 year, i am woking as program manager eHealth in youth and child psychiatry.
Amazing job, but difficult environment for innovation. I hope to do research about ‘trust and psychiatry services’.
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I’m back in a restaurant. Working at the weed gummy factory bummed me out. The move was a $2/hr raise and a three day weekend. Plus, I’m working under a good friend as his sous chef. Still wake up in cold sweats worrying about how I’m going to retire someday…
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I had been in the software field (IT and QA mainly) for decades (I’m also 42). Microsoft, Adobe, and a few smaller companies. Five years ago, I moved over to a steel company doing networks and systems, and have been much happier ever since. It’s not a place that I thought I’d ever work, but it’s SO different from the software industry. I still work with tech, but the atmosphere is completely different. Instead of asking me WHY I want to do something, they ask me HOW I want to do it, then give me everything I need to get it done. I’m surrounded by friendly people, and while it’s not exactly what I’d call my dream job, it’s probably the best job I’ve ever had. I think sometimes even doing the same thing, but in a different environment can be almost as good as changing professions.
My side-job / hobby is designing and building analog circuits and 4U modular synths. This actually is kind of my dream job, but I keep it small, and go at my own pace rather than try to turn it into a full-fledged primary business. I’ve tried going in that direction in the past, and I found that it kind of ruined something that is otherwise fun for me. So I shrunk it back down, and just use it as a supplementary job-hobby. It occasionally pays for a vacation, or a new project and that sort of thing.
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How about the Mother’s of Bridezilla.
I started out in photography doing weddings and my new Mamiya RZ67 was slain at the hands of a Mumzilla as she shouted “We’re not paying you to take photos with a crappy old camera!!!” That was one very drunk and pissed off lady. Fortunately the videographer got it all on tape. 
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oh man, in two month I’m going to be 43 … and if I have a midlife-crisis right now I’m much disappointed about it, because i thought it would be earth-shaking, a game changer or whatever … but nothing seriously happend … going my way as ever 
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I work in QC at a compression/authoring facility for tv/film in Los Angeles. We master stuff going to DVD/BD/UHD/Digital for the big studios. Been in the business for 20 years (I’m 46).
I like working with techy nerds & artists they’re nice people.
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I sharpen knifes and do a bit of freelance webdesign and freelance animation… Sharpening knifes some times has a similar mental state to making music with machines, you just get into these rhythmic zones. I think its pretty fun work, keeps me on my toes.
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I do ad operations at a well known agency here in NY. The money isn’t fantastic, and it’s not the most engaging or inspiring work, but I do love the company I work for. I also get to be creative in the sense that I can come up with ideas on how to better manage the process and department as a whole.
Reading all the interesting responses in this thread is very humbling. I wish I were smart or crafty enough to do what a lot of you do!
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Spot on! The first 3 mid-life-crisises are definitely the best. After that it’s just same same but different.
I used to shake the tree sometimes - please, something has to happen now - negative/positive - don’t care (what’s the difference anyway?). I will be all fine in the end.
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Im glad im not the only one 
Thinking about teaching or maybe a job where im not in a perpetual rush hehe.
But … it pay the bills and … my elektrons
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I work as an online marketeer in a team of 3 (creative, copy and online) at a music venue for 32h a week. We promote about 300 productions a year, everything from pop, rock and jazz to blues, hiphop, modern urban an extreme metal. Things can be stressful at times, but the team is awesome plus I get to see lots of cool shows. I’ve been working here for alomst a year now. Hope to get my contract extended for another year
My previous job was in the role of digital communications specialist in the communications department of a university, in a faculty specialized in spatio-temportal information. Basically sattellites, sensor equiped drones, mapping, all that cool stuff. Very diverse and challanging job. I was there for about 7 years and especially loved working with the professors and other scientists. So cool to see how these people devote their lives to researching a niche topic, how much they love to share their knowledge yet appreciated the work I did in the faculty and trusted my judgement because my expertise was so different from theirs.
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not being an earth-shaking game-changer should be just fine too
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Totally get you @sovietpop and @AlamoBlend!
I have spent the last 10 years as a software developer. Ran my own business for 8 years. Back in the 90s, I was teaching scuba diving in south east Asia for several years. Loved teaching. The diving wasn’t bad either. Oh, and I should probably mention the food. And the sunshine. And going to work in flip-flops. Why did I move back to Europe again?
Never felt like a ‘proper’ programmer if I’m to be honest, which resulted in lots of stress when I couldn’t do stuff. Which was often. So I quit a few months ago, without a solid plan of what to do next! Putting it down to a midlife crisis
I studied biology at uni back in 1992, so have decided to go back to science and do an environmental geoscience masters. It feels a more useful somehow, but also a lot less flexible. Ideally, I’d work as a lecturer, but guessing theres not going to be much in the way of opportunities. It’s relatively easy to get a job as a developer here in Norway, and I have been able to wrangle 4 day weeks which has been lovely.
Do feel a bit apprehensive about going back to uni, being 46 and all, but I’m sure I won’t be alone.
The next chapter beckons…!
In the meantime, I have to find myself something to occupy myself until the course starts next August. Any suggestions?!!
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As an occasional bookseller and picture framer I completely understand where you’re coming from. There’s quite a bit of movement between booksellers and librarians. I know a few people who’ve transitioned between them.
Bookselling was my mid-life (post-breakdown) change in career. Best thing I ever did.
However, I definitely get the desire to make and build things. I wish I had the skills for full-on carpentry. I’d make bespoke storage (books, vinyl etc.) out of beautiful materials. Picture framing is my nod in that direction. It’s a joy to work with natural materials after years in IT.
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understand your worry and concern…same boat here. You keep on keeping on brother/sister. At least you are working with a good friend whom you can share your concerns. That is a good thing. Hang in there. you never know what around the corner. Good fortune and prosperity to all of us Peace.
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I have to say I find it very inspiring to read about what people do. It shows me that I should be more serious about asking myself what I want to do with the rest of my life instead of holding on to something that seems too comfortable to leave behind, but has little more going for itself than convenience.
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I can totally relate to this. It’s terrifying to walk away from a good gig that’s comfortable and familiar. I did it in Feb. Walked away from a job I had been at for 3.5 years, in an industry sector I had been working in for almost 10 years, to do something else. That job was so cushty. I had a synth on my desk, barely had to do any actual work, and was given free reign in the company to choose whichever direction I wanted in terms of my work. Unfortunately, it was completely understimulating and I was stagnating, and not developing my skills at all. I left to do similar stuff on the other side of the fence (moved from agencies to working on the client side of things, directly on products). The new job is harder, which is a good thing. I’m learning constantly and I’m actually stimulated and interested in what I’m doing. I no longer keep a synth on my desk, because I actually have shit to do, but I still spend my lunch breaks making music.
Take the leap, man! Change is good.
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