Today
A Life For Sale: Healthy Adventure or Mid-Life Depression?
by Jed Diamond
Posted June 28, 2008 5:19 PM
Posted June 28, 2008 5:19 PM
Posted in
As I write this article, in 11 hours, 6 minutes, and 49 seconds, 44 year-old, Ian Usher will be selling his life. Born in Great Britain, now living in Perth, Western Australia, he is planning to do what many of us only dream of doing. Here’s what he says. "I have had enough of my life! I don't want it any more! You can have it if you like! No, I'm not contemplating suicide, I am going to sell my life!! I have my reasons. However, I am still not sure whether this is inspired madness, complete foolishness, or just some sort of mid-life crisis. Whatever it is, it's all going up for sale in one big auction. Everything I have and everything I am.
On the day it is all sold and settled I intend to walk out of my front door with my wallet in one pocket and my passport in the other, nothing else at all, and get on the train, with no idea where I am going or what the future holds for me."
This guy is totally serious. You can get all the details on his website www.ALife4Sale.com. You’ll learn how the loss his marriage triggered his decision to leave. You can even vote and let him know if you think his idea is awesome, absolutely non-sense, or something in between. Here’s an e-mail that I wrote to him two days ago:
Dear Ian,
I'm a mid-life male therapist, specializing in working with men going through depression. I live in the U.S. and recently spent time in Australia.
I've worked with men for the last 43 years, have written 7 books, and counseled 30,000 couples.
We know that 40 percent of people who had been dumped by their partner experienced clinical depression and 12 percent severe depression.
I have no idea if this is happening to you.
I think your desire to move on is commendable and your methods creative.
I would hope before you make the final decision to sell and move on, that you check out the possibility that depression may be clouding your judgment.
In any event, I'm sure I'm not alone in wishing you well and hoping to hear how things go in the future.
Jed
Here’s what he wrote back to me:
Dear Jed,
Thanks for your concern but my judgment is not clouded. We separated two and a half years ago, I am doing pretty well.
Best regards
Ian
What do you think? Is this a healthy response to the loss of a loved one or a guy going through male menopause, male-type depression, or some other reaction to loss? Is this something you could imagine doing yourself if you were in his circumstances?
Let me hear from you.
P.S.
Carlin and I took a train from the East coast of Australia (Melbourne) to the West coast (Perth) two years ago. Perth is a wonderful city. You may want to consider putting in a bid for Ian’s life while you have a chance.
Come visit me at www.MenAlive.com to learn more about depression, irritable male syndrome, and male menopause.
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