Why We Can't Sleep

Women's New Midlife Crisis

De: Ada Calhoun

Narrado por: Ada Calhoun

A generation-defining examination of the new midlife crisis facing Gen X women and the unique circumstances that have brought them to this point, Why We Can’t Sleep is a lively successor to Passages by Gail Sheehy and The Defining Decade by Meg Jay.

When Ada Calhoun found herself in the throes of a midlife crisis, she thought that she had no right to complain. She was married with children and a good career. So why did she feel miserable? And why did it seem that other Generation X women were miserable, too?

Calhoun decided to find some answers. She looked into housing costs, HR trends, credit card debt averages, and divorce data. At every turn, she saw a pattern: sandwiched between the Boomers and Millennials, Gen X women were facing new problems as they entered middle age, problems that were being largely overlooked.

Speaking with women across America about their experiences as the generation expected to “have it all”, Calhoun found that most were exhausted, terrified about money, under-employed, and overwhelmed. Instead of their issues being heard, they were told to lean in, take “me time”, or make a chore chart to get their lives and homes in order.

In Why We Can’t Sleep, Calhoun opens up the cultural and political contexts of Gen X’s predicament and offers solutions for how to pull oneself out of the abyss - and keep the next generation from falling in. The result is reassuring, empowering, and essential listening for all middle-aged women, and anyone who hopes to understand them.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2019 Ada Calhoun (P)2019 Audible, Inc.

Validating

Very validating and definitely made me feel less alone in my current state of... 44. I have to say the statistics and research feel bleak but are also reaffirming. It feels kind of like listening to the season 1 recap before heading to season 2. Here is everything that’s happened so far and there were a lot of challenges, let’s see what happens next.
For accuracy the arm of the hormone trial that was stopped was the “progestin” not “progesterone” arm.

Interesting perspective for Gen X Women

Overall I enjoyed this Perspective of living as a Gen X midlife women. Some interesting data on our behaviors, challenges and strengths

Exactly what I needed

Happened upon this audiobook by accident, and it’s exactly what I needed. As woman in her early 40’s and wondering what going on,am I loosing my mind? Hearing stories of women going though the same battles or confusions was very freeing. A must listen.

Both informative and comforting

The combo of historical reference, data, facts and figures, and personal narrative was very effective. I felt more informed and more hopeful and less alone after listening to this. I wish it were avsilZblr in print.

Loved this book!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. She references so many things from my childhood. This book connects the dots for me, as a GenX women, by discussing the events and influences that shaped me.

I read a review prior to purchasing this book that indicated it had political leanings against the president. I have read many books with political leanings and this book is not one of them. The author is discussing anxiety, social media and polarization. This portion of the book lasts 60 seconds.

this genx woman loved this book

this genx woman loved this book. I didn't feel like it was a downer. it did help me understand why I feel like I do in life.

Exactly what I needed

Was absolutely blown away by this book halfway through the introduction. I had to pause, several times, to text my best friend to let her know, "this is us and we are not crazy." I will be re-listening right away to reinforce what I have learned from this book . Message gets across without being heavy and clinical. This is not a self-help book. This is a straight talk book for us Gen X women. Somebody finally gets us!

GenX Women Mid-Life Crisis is Real

At the expectations of boomers and millennials GenX women were meant to have it all. At the risk of their own sanity they have sought to having it all and although some have achieved catharsis many find themselves in crisis. A period in which identity itself is thrown into question and a perpetual anxiety of “Who am I?” And, “What am I doing this for? How did I get here? Where do I go from here?” Ada Calhoun summaries that experience and offers the solution to remember it’s not us and it won’t last forever. There is hope amongst the other GenX women in life. Find them, connect, complain, and be surrounded in endless supportive friends. Life is not over yet, hopefully soon mid-life will be.

More Anxiety but Less Alone

Author presented some very good stats as it relates to the reality of Gen X women. I could relate to all. However, sometimes instead of feeling comfort knowing I wasn't alone, I felt anxious!! Narrator read pretty quickly so it didn't help the building cloud of anxiety much. Overall, as hard as it was to hear... there's value in knowing. After all, Knowledge is Power.

Speaking directly to me

As a 42yr old who’s been dealt with objectively unpleasant life circumstances the last few years (not to mention the macro level challenges), I felt every word of this! Thanks for putting into words why the last few years of my life have been plagued with so many challenges!