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 to learn, to challenge our thinking, and to embrace new experiences. This cognitive flexibility helps build neural pathways and contributes to our psychological resilience. The goal is to cultivate a mindset that asks ‘why not’ rather than defaulting to ‘I’d rather not’.
For all of us, our limits will differ, and it’s important to acknowledge this diversity in approach. One of my friends, who has faced health and family challenges, finds herself in an interesting psychological tension – she expresses that whilst part of her wants to potter around her house and garden, leading a simple life, a small but persistent part craves something more.
This internal dialogue between comfort and growth is something many of us experience. It’s not about choosing between complete retreat and constant challenge, but rather finding what I call ‘productive discomfort’ – those opportunities for growth that stretch us without overwhelming us. This varies markedly between individuals, which is why prescriptive approaches to retirement often fail.
As you may know, in February I spent time living with a Maasai tribe, an experience I wrote about for Advantages of Age:
https://www.advantagesofage.com/p/my-time-with-the-maasai-women
That experience truly stretched what being outside one’s comfort zone meant for me – physically, mentally, and psychologically. The living conditions were challenging, yet the experience provided profound insights into relationships, societal structures, and self-awareness.
Living with the Maasai offered valuable perspectives on how different cultures view age and wisdom. Their approach to elder status isn’t about retreat from community life, but rather about a shift in role and responsibility. This contrasts markedly with Western approaches to retirement, where we often struggle to find meaningful roles post-career.
I leave on Thursday for another expedition, this time to South Africa, where I’ll be undertaking tracking skills with Colin Patrick. This video captures the essence of what I’ll be experiencing:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1892683361211408
What particularly resonates with me is their philosophy about tracking inducing a state of calm through complete presence and focus on what is directly before you. This exemplifies what psychologists call a ‘flow state’ – that optimal condition where challenge and skill meet, creating complete absorption in the present moment.
When tracking, as Colin Patrick describes, the mind quietens not through forced meditation, but through natural, focused engagement. This state of flow has profound implications for psychological well-being, particularly as we age. It offers a pathway to what I’ve observed in my research: that meaningful engagement often comes not from passive activities, but from challenges that demand our full attention.
Colin Patrick’s assertion that “tracking is life” might initially seem peculiar, but it carries profound truth. He explains that the fundamental principles used in tracking mirror those needed to successfully navigate life’s journey: being observant, considering the broader context, and knowing when to narrow our focus. The observational skills developed in tracking have surprising applications in daily life. Just as a tracker learns to notice subtle signs in nature, we can develop greater awareness of patterns in our own lives – in our relationships, our energy levels, our sources of meaning.
I see this experience as an invaluable addition to my work as a wilderness rites of passage guide. Traditional societies understood the importance of marking life transitions through ritual and challenge. Yet in our modern world, we’ve largely lost these practices, particularly for later life transitions.
My work combining wilderness experiences with psychological insights suggests that we need new rites of passage – not just for youth, but for those entering their third age. These experiences, whether tracking in South Africa or living with the Maasai, offer more than just adventure; they provide a structured way to mark and process life transitions.
During this time, I’ll be completely off grid, switching off my phone until my return. This choice to disconnect from technology isn’t about rejecting modernity, but rather about creating space for deeper connection and learning. In my work with retirees, I’ve found that managing technology use often becomes crucial in crafting a meaningful post-work life. It’s about finding the balance between staying connected and maintaining space for genuine presence.
I will return changed, with expanded thinking, new skills, and a deeper sense of peace. These experiences contribute to what I often discuss in my work about finding meaning and purpose in life’s various stages.
I’ll be in touch again in 3 weeks.
