Growing in maturity is an experience that comes with its share of golden nuggets. Let us take a look at it and find out what we gain as we age but which, far too often, we forget.
At middle age (from the beginning of the forties to the beginning of the sixties), we inevitably begin to face the traces of the passage of time. Energy decreases, physical abilities and health begin to decline. Although we are gradually leaving the force of the age, we are still in full possession of our means. The progressive loss of faculties due to aging will come, but wouldn't it be more pleasant to dwell on the benefits of being where you are in life? There is a good thing about getting older, because in addition to having the fullness of our abilities, we also make gains in psychological well-being.
So the next time you think nostalgically about what you were able to do younger, you will remember the 6 assets below, which you currently have and which make you a more effective person today, better able to face life and more accomplished than before.
1. BETTER MANAGEMENT OF EMOTIONS
Older people have acquired over time the ability to regulate their emotions.They experience positive or negative situations with less responsiveness, although they experience them as much as younger people. Through their life experience, they have developed coping and anticipation strategies that lead them to control their emotional responses. Young people, on the other hand, tend to react excessively to the unpleasant situations they face, causing themselves a concern that could be avoided.Maturity has the advantage of reducing negative emotions.
2. GREATER LIFE SATISFACTION
People of a certain age are more satisfied with their lives than younger people. How do they do this? It may be because they are happy to have become what they were meant to be, to have fulfilled themselves and to have kept the faith despite difficulties and disappointments. Or it is because they use accommodation strategies that help them, on the one hand, to let go and, on the other hand, to diminish the importance they once attached to certain life goals. The result is a sense of satisfaction with how their lives have turned out, as well as a greater sense of well-being.
3. A LIFE THAT MAKES SENSE
Over the years, the individual acquires a better understanding of his purpose and the meaning of his life. He favors interpersonal relationships, spirituality and fulfillment over material considerations. His inclination towards what is deep rather than superficial gives him serenity, harmony and contentment.
4. LIFE SKILLS THAT SUPPORT SUCCESS
As we age, we pass the stages of existence more easily, because over time, we become adept at successfully exiting the different stages, transitions or situations of life. We are more successful because, based on what we have learned from our experiences, as well as a better knowledge of our strengths and limitations, we act more judiciously and effectively.
5. A MORE REALISTIC WORLD VIEW AND GREATER ADAPTABILITY TO SOCIETY
Growing in maturity changes the way we look at the world. Perception evolves towards a fairer vision of a world that is no longer distorted so that it corresponds to what we desire. It is no longer seen in an egocentric way. On the contrary, self-regulatory mechanisms are developing to keep ourselves psychologically fit to face the world as it is and to adapt to this reality whatever our own needs are. Not only does the mature person adapt to society, but he/she also contributes productively, earning the respect and appreciation of others.
6. PERSONAL GROWTH IN WISDOM
“Suffering and disappointments and melancholy are there not to vex us or cheapen us or deprive us of our dignity but to mature and transfigure us.”
Peter Camenzind, Hermann Hess, Samuel Fisher, 1904.
Maturity rhymes with wisdom. Those who, on the way, have learned from their failures, from their mistakes and who succeed in rebounding after going through rough times, have this attitude that builds wisdom. They thus become people who judge and interpret with more skill, who understand and discern with more finesse, who act with measure, foresight and tolerance. And what benefits do they derive from these life skills in terms of well-being? A foresight and acceptance of certain aspects of life through which they are more comfortable to overcome the circumstances of life.
IN SUM
The journey to maturity is full of challenges, hard times as well as happy moments, learning and gifts of life. This path is what makes it possible to arrive at a stage of development of the personality (temperament and character) more healthy and to reach a psychological maturity by which we are able to function optimally, to know how to separate things, to be skillful and smarter, but also to be more connected to others, to contribute efficiently to society and future generations. You can be young and mature for your age, as well as old and immature. The key lies in the experience and the attitude towards what is lived through.
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(Ma qualité de vie means My quality of life in French.)
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