Midlife is one of those times when we re-examine our spiritual beliefs. We may have been perfectly happy with our belief system for many years, but with the general pattern of re-evaluation of what is important to us, our faith also gets closer scrutiny.
For some this re-evaluation process serves to deepen an existing faith. After close scrutiny of the familiar values and creeds that are known and practiced, there is an increased conviction that the chosen spiritual path remains the right one.
This process often inspires greater devotion to existing beliefs, and more outward action as a result. Everyone involved with organized religion will have observed the large number of older women who are incredibly active in all facets of the community.
For other people, a general sense of dissatisfaction with the faith community they have belonged to for years begins a quest for something new and more meaningful. Some people choose to step back from formal religion and develop their own spiritual beliefs into practices. Others choose to change to a different faith group that better fits their new belief system.
Some people come to the conclusion that the faith they previously had is now completely wrong for them and choose to become agnostic or atheist. The need for a complete break from traditional religious activities gives time to re-evaluate beliefs and associated behaviors, and to establish practices that better support the new belief system.
This process of re-evaluation seems to be an inevitable stage of midlife, so shouldn’t be regarded negatively. It is – as is so much of the midlife phase – a time to discard things that have become purely rote and unsatisfying, and to replace them with things that feel right and support the people we are becoming.
