Reaching your sixties marks a major turning point, characterized by personal, social and physical transitions. While society often associates aging with a slow decline, psychology shows that it is on the contrary a unique opportunity to refocus on yourself and redefine your own quality of life.
Being happy after 60: a question of fulfillment and serenity
The concept of happiness remains very individual and subjective. For Aline Nativel Id Hammou, the very notion of “being happy” benefits from being reconsidered at this stage of existence. “In my opinion, happiness is something very individual, which is very marked by a life story, objectives, goals, ambitions.
In the context of the psychology of aging, specialists favor other terms. “At this stage of life, we seek more serenity, peace and fulfillment”explains the psychologist.
This nuance allows us to approach the decades to come without setting unrealistic expectations, focusing on a more stable and deep state of well-being.
The key behavior: freeing yourself from the gaze and expectations of others
To feel this lasting appeasement, one behavior proves particularly decisive: freeing oneself from external judgment.
“It’s freeing yourself from the gaze, criticism, and remarks of others. In short, it’s accepting who we are, what we want to do, regardless of what others say, think or observe.”underlines the expert.
This slice of life offers fertile ground for this emancipation. With the awareness of time passing, “people aged 60 or over are less inclined to respond to injunctions, paradoxes, pressures or ideals that may be imposed by society, by family members or by a partner”.
This maturity allows a healthy refocusing on one’s own priorities and deep desires.
Deconstruct stereotypes to adopt a positive vision of aging
To successfully let go, you also need to transform your own perception of age. Aging should not be reduced to a series of declines or constraints.
“We must also maintain an important course, that of accepting aging, remembering that there is not just a loss of autonomy or freedom.” insists Aline Nativel Id Hammou.
This evolution of mentalities is observed in particular around questions of gender and the aging body, which are more often discussed publicly today. Adopting a rewarding perspective on your journey promotes active engagement in daily life:
- A reinforced social anchor, with associative participation, family life and chosen friendly relationships;
- An assumed authenticity, which involves alignment with one’s values and philosophy of life;
- Self-esteem preserved, with protection against the fear of loneliness or rejection.
The present moment and “little joys” as daily driving forces
In psychology, getting through this period is based on several pillars, notably the notion of “successful aging”, which involves accepting one’s life journey, one’s errors, one’s failures, one’s successes, one’s joys. The relationship with time naturally changes, making it easier to anchor yourself in the here and now.
This refocusing on the present allows us to redefine the notion of well-being. “The little joys of everyday life count“, summarizes the specialist. Even if the sixties are accompanied by multiple symbolic bereavements – end of professional career, departure of children, evolution of social roles – it offers in return a significant reduction in constraints and stress.