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Do people get progressively less happy as they age?
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this post was submitted on 12 Apr 2026
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Developmental psychology (Erik Erickson's theory) teaches us that adults tend to go one of two ways as they approach and hit mid-life - generativity and stagnation. People who have a purpose, who are considering leaving some sort of mark or legacy, to contributing to society tend to fare better. They are happier and more satisfied as time goes on. Folks who become self-absorbed and preoccupied with their own comfort and convenience will then stagnate, which you can imagine is the cranky old person stereotype.
I do subscribe to this theory which is why at 43 I am running a non-profit I started, working to empower other leaders in my community, working on changing legislation for my community, working on building the community itself. I want to be the kind of person who is generous and kind and open-hearted, and be fulfilled. I don't want to be the person who is counting the ways life did them wrong, using that as a justification to lick wounds and retreat from life, jaded and alone.
Must be nice not having to worry so much over paying fundamental living expenses, much less the looming risk of bankruptcy or worse from a random medical emergency, etc. 😅🤌🏼
You’re a poet.
But yeah, I’ve met plenty of people exactly like this. Honestly it’s just so unpleasant to be around, I would think everyone would be filled with the fear of ending up that way
I fear that I am at this crossroads place right now in my life, also at 43. I'm forcing myself to be a part of a group that seeks societal change for the better, but honestly it's a struggle. It could go either way.