“Find a beautiful piece of art. If you fall in love with Van Gogh or Matisse or John Oliver Killens, or if you fall love with the music of Coltrane, the music of Aretha Franklin, or the music of Chopin – find some beautiful art and admire it, and realize that that was created by human beings just like you, no more human, no less.”
“Across the 12 countries spanning a wide range of cultures, people described “cool” in surprisingly similar ways. Across the globe, people consistently identified coolness with six traits: extroversion, hedonism, power, adventurousness, openness and autonomy.”
Carl Jung had a lot to say about aging and how to live meaningfully in later life. His perspective isn’t about rigid rules but more about embracing psychological growth and self-understanding. Key points include:
Embrace Individuation – Jung believed that the later years are the time to focus on becoming your true self. This involves reflecting on your life, integrating different parts of your personality, and accepting both your strengths and weaknesses.
Value Inner Life Over Outer Achievements – As you age, external accomplishments matter less. Jung advised cultivating the inner life—dreams, imagination, contemplation, and spiritual awareness—because this is where enduring fulfillment comes from.
Stay Connected to Your Shadow – Don’t deny or suppress the darker, hidden aspects of yourself. Recognizing and understanding them brings wisdom and reduces inner conflict.
Develop Meaningful Relationships – Relationships remain crucial, but Jung emphasized depth over quantity. Older age is a time for authentic connection, mutual understanding, and passing on wisdom.
Accept Mortality – Aging is a natural process. Facing your mortality with awareness allows for a richer, more conscious experience of life, and reduces fear of death.
Creativity and Contribution – Jung saw the later years as a chance to contribute through mentorship, art, writing, or any creative pursuit. This allows life to have purpose beyond personal gain.
Balance Between Action and Contemplation – Jung stressed alternating between engaging with the world and turning inward. Both are essential for mental health and spiritual growth in later life.
A good way to summarize Jung’s advice: aging well is about self-acceptance, inner development, meaningful connections, and continuing to contribute to the world in ways that reflect your authentic self.
