I'm not sure if there is a name for this, as I'm not old enough for a "mid-life crisis", more of an "a third of life extremely pensive" stage of my life. I've accomplished the bulk of my goals that I made in my early-to-mid-twenties (married, kids, job paying $$k a year, home ownership, etc). I was misguided in believing that once these checkboxes were done, I'd find some big feeling of accomplishment and happiness. I've since realized these feelings did not magically come once I've accomplished these goals. I've wrestled with this for several months now, and I am actively trying to focus on "enjoying the journey" instead of just focusing on checking boxes. I am finding it easier to do so if I am keeping more of a record of the things I do and the things I've discovered, learned. It keeps me in the "now". This has also been helpful for pressing through depression and self-esteem issues I've fought for much of my life, and therapy has reinforced my need to simply write down where I am in life and what I am feeling in order to help sort things out. I've posted on these issues before, and I've got better at some things, worse at others. Its a daily struggle, and sometimes I just need to express what's in my head, as it helps me sort through my own thoughts and emotions. I've become more active on this site as a result, even just as a step in a good direction.

So, this is really becoming therapy for me, and is helping me not only keep my internal struggles at bay, but find joy in my day-to-day instead of waiting until "X" is done before I can be happy. Sometimes, the solution for not feeling like you matter,

Here's some things I've learned from being on CB and reading and thinking on everything I see. Some more serious than others. I recognize a lot of these are "duh" answers, but knowing they exist versus actually seeing them exist is a different experience, for me anyway.

-Major Melon Mt. Dew is pretty good.
-Odds are, there is someone out there who has similar hobbies as you do. Its actually quite hard to be alone.
-Odds are, there is someone out there who hates the thing that you like to do. It doesn't need to diminish your own enjoyment.
-There are some incredibly intelligent people on this board. There are several whom I always click their posts to see their insight.
-More often than not, you can find honest help here that doesn't expect anything in return. People that, due to the nature of the people on this board, likely come from a similar enough background and give you better insight than a Google search.
-That being said. Sometimes a google search is probably better than posting on here.
-There are always trolls. Its annoying, but its sometimes nice to not take everything so seriously.
-So many people here have lived their lives so differently, yet are finding success and happiness. There isn't 1 way to live life. No 1 formula that works for everyone.
-It is very refreshing to see so many different viewpoints on topics. Even people who can agree on an outcome can disagree on how to accomplish it.
-Everyone has experienced regrets. Your actions today determine your future regrets.
-People on here have overcome tremendous trials that really put my own into perspective. If you have posted on overcoming a large trials or walking through a big journey on this site, I am truly grateful, as those are some of my favorite posts. If you've debated posting one or not, do so. It helps more people that you'd think.

In conclusion, thanks everyone. You all can really make someone's day.