Not sure I have any great mid-life crisis advice for you, especially since i am a dog person and not a hamster person (though I had a gerbil once--does that count?). Clearly we are on different planes. But your video made me laugh and you do not seem depressed so that is a great thing. I don't think the work world is ever going to truly understand mental illness--there is always going to be an element of "just snap out of it". Back to your mid-life crisis--I think I have had a couple actually. Just go with it, don't analyze it, do what feels right. And Happy Birthday (mine is on the 9th!)

Dearest Liz:
To begin with: You crack me up, and have brightened up my whole day with your new video.
Kind of a cool carnival type merry go round you have going on over there (Hamster? Depression? /Depression? Hamster?). (I thunk I’m getting dizzy from thinking about your latest video co-star. That Hamster wheel of fortune just keeps on turning round and round, as I get sleepier and sleepier {giggle}). I believe we are now having an enlightened CSI moment, as clarity is shining overtly on your situation {smiling}.
I’m still trying to get in sync with that bizarre and extraordinary behavioral pattern you’re displaying {laughing}. I hope you’re not one of those Hamster black widow women of sinister intent {snicker}.
Liz; you’re not even close to being in mid life crisis yet. You appear to look no more than 25, and are stunningly and radiantly beautiful; along with your superior intelligence, talents, passion for life, and for others: you will just continue to flourish, develop, and be enhanced as each day goes by. Father Time is truly your friend and not your enemy.
Now are far as gravity goes! I believe that Newton fellow had it down pretty pat {laughing}. So there is not much good news to pass along on that particular gravitational, and quote “Nipple” front. I do believe (though I have not dated in quite some time do to mental health issues {Smirk}) Victoria’s Secret does make a product that can help you along in this self adsorbed area of concern {laughing}.
The sexual orientation issues are very personal, and you’ll have to follow your heart in that area. I should step very lightly on this particular issue (Stan dawns ballerina slippers and tip toes across the page quietly! Trust me on this one; I’m not a pretty sight in a brightly colored pink Ballerina Toto {blushing}). Of course I happen to be very male and a stead fast heterosexual; so I would like to see you stay on the field playing from my team if at all possible (ok, a little selfish and out spoken on my part{ snorting laugh} can we open some contract negotiations, dialogue, or something at this juncture?).
Now the honest serious part (sure, like Stan is going to be serious {hangs head in shame}): I’m just so glad to see you force yourself back from the darkness of slumber and depression to re-enter our lives with your wonderful self, post, and new video. I still think a hair make over with maybe purple and green highlights would be fun to see. But then again, it might affect your employment opportunities/status also. I would have to say that’s a tough theatrical call, and kind of a quagmire we’ll have to ponder for a while.
Now come on, you really can’t expect the normal world of business to understand the many quandaries those of us with mood disorders deal with everyday. That’s like asking the snake not to bite the frog giving it a ride to the other side of the stream. It’s just part of their nature snake/business/business/snake! Hope I haven’t opened up another Pandora’s Box here?
Hang in there Liz, and make sure the rope is to long buy at least ten feet {snicker}. I want to thank you also for posting my comment on your main page, I was floored and surprised beyond all expectations I had ever envisioned. But in closing this ramble; I just want to thank you for just being you!
Yours truly
Stan

Extremely well-done video. You are a courageous woman. As far as a mid-life crisis goes, I don't know what birthday you have coming up. I just had my 42nd. I say do what feels good and just go with it. Sexual orientation issues is an interesting thing. Being a lesbian, I've never had them (although society would probably think I've had them all my life). I suffer from severe clinical depression. If you wish, you may email me, perhaps we could share experiences.
Take care and love to Popcorn! :-)

Hi Liz, it's great to see you back again. I hope you continue to feel better.

A regular reader/viewer,
Brian

Hey Liz --

I've been waiting for a video, but am so sad to hear that you were so sad. I can't even begin to imagine your upcoming
age, but when I started to have my crisis, well let's just say "I now have my own
personal summer, year round.

Yes, and quite frankly in the strangest places, if you get my drift. I have not found cure nor comfort yet, sorry.

Love you, your such a sweetheart.

Lisa

Hi Liz, welcome back! I've missed you. First, a little nipple reassurance - I just had my 46th birthday and my nipples are where they've always been, clearly in view and quite fine, actually. No worries. :)
The other stuff is a little harder, but I can tell you for sure that since I turned 40 my life has improved oodles every year. I'm more "me" than I've ever been, and less worried about what people think about me. The depression has gotten worse, but my ability to deal with it has gotten better, and recovery is sweeter every time. That's been my experience. Happy birthday. ;-)

I simply wanted to say that I loved the video. I do think the hamster was the star of the show - he's adorable.

Happy birthday, Liz!!!

Don't be bummed about having mid-life crisis... life is defined by how you live it, not by how long. I hit the big 4-5 this year and I began having perimenopausal symptoms. Yep, hot flashes & flushes... but I welcome them because it has keep my energy bills down this winter and made me feel more alive. My hormones are raging like I was 14 years old again (although I just got put on Prozac which is more stabilizing influence on me than Zoloft was). I think it's really true that a woman doesn't start really living until she hits 40!

Because of my illness (bipolar disorder & ptsd), I have gotten a second chance at life again. I'm living on social security disability (which I earned over 30 years of sacrificing my health for work) and I'm finally finishing up the bachelors degree I started over 25 years ago. I don't have children, by choice (I never wanted to pass this illness on), so I'm a bit more flexible and a lot less stressed that some of my friends. It's by no means a perfect life, but the point I'm making is that it's mine and what I'm attempting to make of it.

You do have a lot to show for your life, and, I would surmise, a lot going on. You inspire others, and if you do nothing else, you have left a legacy with your blog. Thank you for inspiring me.

Thank you for being born! I hope you celebrate well this year!!!

The nipple thing? I've been thinking about that alot in the past 4 years..I've decided that before I hit 40 I am going to have them hiked up by the muscle, no implants just a muscle shortening so they stay where they belong.

And maybe just maybe one shot of botox in between my eyes, to take away the bitch lines as I call it. I furrow my eyebrows and there is a faint but permanent line.

Weird since I can't even bother to blow dry my hair these past few weeks.. Or like you get out of bed more often than not these days. So up up up and awwayyyy the dosage. Wheeeee!

If I were brave enough I would post my videos on youtube, but I'm not.

Happy Birthday, Liz, and thanks for the video. You seem to be feeling better, which is fantastic!

I'm 45. I think my mid-life crisis hit a couple of years ago. What I've stumbled upon is the realization that when I embrace change for myself, I feel pretty good about myself. This past year, I've been learning to drive (on a stick shift, no less) and have been writing, even seeing a few things published. I learned long ago there were many things in my life over which I have no control (and as a BP, unexpected change and lack of control can be a little daunting). So now I'm exploring different ways I can create opportunities over which I have control.

Hope this helps!

Hello Liz,
The thing with my life is I keep on rediscovering myself. Just when I think I have put all of the pieces together something pops up.
I have come to discover that life is in a constant flux. The only things that stay the same in the universe is numbers 2+2 will always be 4 and British summer time will always last for about three days in mid June and then it will rain all the bloody time maybe with the odd day of sun . But today the weather is nice.
So what I am trying to say is things will change they always do. Your age, your body, the weather, people and places.
I have not come to my mid life crisis yet as am I only 26. But you look like you are only 21 to me (you can send me a check in pounds) So don’t worry too much. I know it’s not just about looks it’s about the way you feel inside I am just being cheeky……Your blog is an interesting read for an outsider.
Chin up, keep up the good works. And your hamster rocks......

Liz, I am 53 so I am quite a bit older. The age thing can be a bummer, but probably not in the way you are imagining. One grace is that the older you get, the less you care (at least speaking for myself!) Not that you don't care at all, but you gain perspective and it balances things out. Also they have some damn good bras out there for that particular problem. I don't like having gray hair so I dye it. I would say the very best thing you can do for aging gracefully is to keep the weight reasonably normal and try not to smoke at all. Psychologically, you know, none of us are getting out alive and there is NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT GETTING OLDER. NOTHING! So, carry on and remember you are not nearly as old as me and about half the planet, since our demographics are getting old old old. I hope this helps and does not make things worse. You seem and look young!

Liz, I am 53 so I am quite a bit older. The age thing can be a bummer, but probably not in the way you are imagining. One grace is that the older you get, the less you care (at least speaking for myself!) Not that you don't care at all, but you gain perspective and it balances things out. Also they have some damn good bras out there for that particular problem. I don't like having gray hair so I dye it. I would say the very best thing you can do for aging gracefully is to keep the weight reasonably normal and try not to smoke at all. Psychologically, you know, none of us are getting out alive and there is NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT GETTING OLDER. NOTHING! So, carry on and remember you are not nearly as old as me and about half the people in the U.S., since our demographics are getting old old old. I hope this helps and does not make things worse. You seem and look young!