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 […]
Feminism Then and Now: What’s Changed, and What Hasn’t?
Yasmin Alibhai-Brown’s recent piece in The Independent calls for a revival of feminism. I welcomed it. Like her, I came of age in the 1970s, when feminism was a movement, not a brand. We didn’t just talk about equality, we fought for it. We challenged the system, questioned norms, and rejected the idea that our […]
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 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 […]
What the Maasai Taught Me About Positive Ageing
Earlier this year, living with a Maasai tribe, my understanding of ageing and retirement has been profoundly challenged. Despite my years of research in positive retirement and a PhD focused on finding meaning in later life, this experience offered fresh perspectives on how we might approach our later years. In Western society, we often frame […]
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 […]