A study recently mentioned on "Arab News" talked about midlife crises (in apes!!) and went to say that "happiness in human adults.... starts high (in the 20s) and declines over the years to reach a low point in the late '40s, then turns around and rises to another pick at 70s." I found this an interesting finding, worth pondering upon. I have already discussed this topic in a previous article (changing motivations throughout life), but I'd like to delve into it a little more because the final point mentioned here is totally new (at least to me). It has come as a surprise, a pleasant surprise that gives hope to everybody — seniors as well as juniors. As a confirmation, I now remember that some geniuses have produced their greatest works at a very late age. Among others, Italian Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901), one of the most celebrated musicians of all times, composed his acclaimed opera “Othello” when he was over 80!
Let us start at the beginning. At a very young age you are possibly "happy" because you are full of enthusiasm, you have goals you want to reach and you have great expectations. You are just beginning to "experience" life and you love it. There is so much to see, to try, to enjoy! As every situation has its flip side, there are also young people who are not motivated, who feel disappointed without having even tried, or who declare defeat after the first challenge. But, in general, young age is a "positive" one or – at least – it should be (It is supposed to be!)
The following twenty plus years are spent in building a career, in establishing one's position and image in society. Either the individual is successful or not, he eventually undergoes the so-called "mid-life crises". How come? He (or she) is by now well settled in a job, with a family, in a social circle, so he should be "happy", i.e. fulfilled. But he is not. He feels that something is missing from his life, he believes he hasn't achieved enough, he regrets lost opportunities, he complains about problems he is still facing. He seems to think that now, halfway through life, he is entitled to “have it all”, to sit back and enjoy it. He actually could do it, but he quite often does not. So he starts to look for something different, for new adventures – not because he is interested in trying "the new", but mainly because he is bored with "the old", which seems to satisfy him no more.
He continues in this pattern for quite some time. Then, when they get older, some realize (others do not) that life has still a lot to offer to them. They do not forget or ignore the past, but they see it as a chapter in their life that is over. Now, on "Sunset Boulevard", there is still a lot to enjoy because their eyes are able to see in a different way. Having left behind the obsessive requirements of their usual daily life, they feel "free", they do not have all the obligations that had put a brake on their imagination. Now they can dedicate themselves to what they have always wanted to do, a hobby such as gardening, writing, painting, traveling.... They realize that family ties have greater importance than they had previously believed, so they tend to enjoy the company of dear ones to a greater extent. They can choose the people whose company they truly like instead of the ones they "have to" be with because of business or social bonds. At an older age creativity soars, if it finds the suitable soil. It blooms like a flower that has been withering for a long time for lack of water (enthusiasm? motivation? incentive? support? ...)
In conclusion, all ages have their characteristics, which must be accepted as a natural evolution of the “path” we are all on. Being “aware”, though, can be a useful supporting tool that can help us turn every single stage we are into the best possible experience.
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