Life in middle age: Can 40 really be the new 20?

We tend to think of millennials as a term referring to young people. But newsflash: The oldest millennials, like me, are turning 40.?

I’ve been thinking about whether 40 can really be the new 20, prodded on by this looming birthday milestone this year and by Associate Editor Lee Su Shyan, who explored the journey of heading back to school for a diploma in middle age in a Straits Times Opinion piece.

She found inspiration, after a 62-year-old relative, training to be a counsellor, skipped a Chinese New Year gathering to mug for a test. But making a career switch at this age is a journey of change and discovery, and one should expect doubts, even regrets , when starting out, and avoid feeling discouraged, she has written previously.

This can feel like a first-world problem when many folks today are debating whether they even have enough in their CPF to benefit from the raised retirement payout tier announced during the Singapore Budget statement last week.

But we’re leading longer lives. That shouldn’t require slogging for longer, or slaving away, but finding meaning and purpose in our career choices so that there is joy in work.?

Is that too much to ask? For those in your 40s, how are you looking at your career differently? Share with us in the comments below.

Meanwhile, here’s a round-up of our best reads this week.

Best,

Lin Suling, Opinion Editor

For adult workers hoping for a career reset, can 40 really be the new 20?

By Lee Su Shyan

To get there, Singapore must remove as many obstacles to effective training and re-employment as possible.

Budget 2024: Middle-income workers get their day in the sun

By Chua Mui Hoong

After earlier schemes to help those in the bottom tier, Budget 2024 looks to help middle-aged and middle-income workers raise wages through upskilling and reskilling.

China’s stock market jitters are hurting the middle class

By Chen Gang

At stake is investor confidence and the Chinese government’s credibility.?

Lesson from Ukraine: Be prepared to fight 19th and 21st century wars rolled into one

By Jonathan Eyal

Future warfare will feature drone swarms and AI, but old principles undergirding how wars are fought have become salient.

Cutting bus services: Public transport changes must lead to better service, not just cost efficiency

By Christopher Tan

The same thinking applies to building infrastructure and capacity ahead of demand.

Read More:

• Congratulations Singapore for getting Taylor Swift here. Now how about stuff for the non-swifties??
• The law needs more bite against people who abuse or abandon animals
• How to attract foreign investments to Singapore? EDB’s managing director thinks the answer lies in skills??

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