Rethinking the “Age Wave”: Embracing the Opportunities of a Longer Life

The way we talk about ageing matters. Describing demographic change as an “age wave” or worse, a “retirement tsunami”, fuels a fear-based narrative that frames longer lives as a crisis rather than an evolution. As a 67-year-old psychologist and later-life coach with a doctorate in meaningful ageing, I see this shift not as a disaster […]

Marking 67½: Looking Back, Looking Forward

Today I am 67 and 26 weeks Halfway through my 67th year, I find myself reflecting, not just on this moment, but on the years that have shaped it. Looking back to 60 and 65, I see distinct chapters, each defined by transformation, adventure, and self-discovery. Looking ahead to 70 and beyond, I feel a […]

Rethinking Life Expectancy: Beyond the Oversimplified Narrative

Introduction The claim that life expectancy has more than doubled over the past century is widely cited in media, policy discussions, and public discourse. While technically accurate, this statistic is misleading without proper context. As a researcher who obtained my PhD at 64, specialising in retirement adjustment and meaningful ageing, I have watched this narrative […]

The benefits of getting older, part 2

After creating a list of 20 benefits, I kept writing and listed 20 more. How many can you agree with? I had written this a good while ago, just found it languishing in my draft folder – it deserved a chance to come out and be read! See also: The Benefits of Getting Older

The Courage to Embrace Aloneness

John O’Donohue once wrote: “Each one of us is alone in the world. It takes great courage to meet the full force of your aloneness.” These words resonate deeply with me. As a psychologist specializing in ageing and a person who cherishes quiet time alone, I’ve come to see aloneness not as an absence, but […]

The Art of Rest: Redefining Recovery in Active Later Life

Four weeks ago, I experienced a significant fall that left me with a bruised forehead and two black eyes. Rather than seeking immediate medical attention, I chose to start my journey (bus-train-plane), for a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife tracking course in South Africa. My concern was that I’d be in A&E, they would send me home and […]

Finding Flow: The Psychology of Engagement in Later Life

As I immerse myself in learning tracking skills in South Africa, I’m experiencing what psychologists call ‘flow state’ – that remarkable condition where time seems to dissolve as we become completely absorbed in what we’re doing. This experience has prompted me to reflect on why finding flow becomes increasingly valuable as we age. Throughout my […]

The importance of new challenges

Curiosity is an important characteristic in maintaining good psychological health as we age. Research consistently shows that those who remain intellectually engaged experience better cognitive function and greater life satisfaction in their later years. This isn’t merely about keeping busy – it’s about maintaining genuine engagement with life. It’s essential to actively seek out ways […]

Secrets to staying relatively healthy at age 70?

Embracing Functional Fitness As we age, the importance of maintaining good health for older people becomes increasingly apparent. It’s not just about living longer; it’s about living well. Achieving a healthy lifestyle involves not only physical fitness but also mental and emotional well-being. This article explores various aspects of health, fitness, and lifestyle choices that […]

I’m now on Substack

I’ve not posted here for a while … I’m now writing more on Substack. It’s a place that encourages writers to create thoughtful articles to share. Once I’m into my rhythm there, I’ll alternate between the different sites. On Substack my title is: Rethinking Retirement and Conscious Ageing, making it very clear on what I […]