I think it's a combination of things... Gen-X was the start of the real decline in marriage rates, which tends to really affect people later in life in terms of fulfillment (related to having children), so now that we're well into middle-age, it's starting to show.
This combined with lower upward mobility in terms of average income, and higher debt to income ratios... combined with rapidly increased prices of essential goods, especially relative to income it's gotten hard.
I'm 51 now... in the past couple years, I've had to come to grips with some health issues I never considered (deteriorating vision) combined with a few periods of prolonged unemployment (only a bit of contract/project work)... with the medical bills what they are, I'm maxed out, I took a 40% pay cut for my current job, and literally every job I get contacted from recruiters for is largely well below my income the past few years, even below my current contract job.
I don't really have memory issues and have managed to stay current with the technology in my field... but it's been a consistent stress for several years now. Depression and anger tend to go hand in hand with this. I keep getting up and working though.
This combined with lower upward mobility in terms of average income, and higher debt to income ratios... combined with rapidly increased prices of essential goods, especially relative to income it's gotten hard.
I'm 51 now... in the past couple years, I've had to come to grips with some health issues I never considered (deteriorating vision) combined with a few periods of prolonged unemployment (only a bit of contract/project work)... with the medical bills what they are, I'm maxed out, I took a 40% pay cut for my current job, and literally every job I get contacted from recruiters for is largely well below my income the past few years, even below my current contract job.
I don't really have memory issues and have managed to stay current with the technology in my field... but it's been a consistent stress for several years now. Depression and anger tend to go hand in hand with this. I keep getting up and working though.
Due to a series of unfortunate and unexpected issues with beings in my inner circle, the last few months have been a constant stream of stress.
And the mental impact has certainly been noticeable, especially on my focus, concentration and short term memory.