One of the first modern self-help books was Life Begins at 40, a 1932 bestseller by Columbia University professor Walter Pitkin. The book was so popular, the phrase “life begins at 40” became a widely used saying that you still will come across in advertising, popular media, and everyday conversation.
But research suggests that a more accurate term might be “life begins at 50.” The findings of several studies published in the past 20 years paint a picture of happiness and life satisfaction as a U-shaped curve. Many people have a strong sense of happiness and well-being in their adolescence and 20s. Then they have a decline in happiness, bottoming out around their 40s, only to enjoy renewed feelings of happiness and positivity starting in their 50s and increasing with age.
Of course, not everyone follows this life pattern. Things like health and finances can certainly affect anyone’s sense of happiness at any age. Researchers have found, for example, that older adults may feel happier because they have stopped chasing after professional or material goals to focus instead on simply enjoying their lives. At the same time, a loss of independence and struggles with mental health can make later life a very difficult period.
And while some uncertainty is inescapable, there are plenty of ways that life gets better after age 50. “Aging is truly a gift,” says therapist and Montclair State University adjunct professor Diane Lang, who teaches a course called Positive Aging. “There are many people who don't get the opportunity. I see aging as a gift and an opportunity, another chance at a new chapter. This new chapter includes more creativity, higher self-esteem, being better at multitasking, more ‘me time,’ better finances and resources, and more wisdom and experiences.”
Many gifts can make life better after age 50, including:
You Can Let Go
If you stop and think about how much time and energy you devoted to thinking or worrying about what others thought about you when you were young … well, maybe don’t go there. Instead, relish in the fact that you can start to let go of those concerns in the years ahead. You can dress for comfort more often, appreciate the home you have rather than dwell on that out-of-reach dream house, and focus on the things that matter most to you.
“People over 50 witness a beautiful transformation,” says Vancouver, Canada, mental health counselor Pareen Sehat. “At this stage, there's a notable shift toward a carefree attitude, prioritizing practicality over societal expectations. The newfound self-awareness becomes a guiding light, directing focus toward genuine sources of joy and steering away from the materialistic pursuits dictated by societal norms.”
You Can Better Stand Up to Life’s Challenges
If you think back to your young adulthood and how overwhelming or unfamiliar so many things seemed, you can take some comfort that you have weathered a lot of storms and gained strength and understanding that will help you deal with whatever lies ahead.
Research suggests that a life spent coping with a variety of challenges prepares older adults for adversity in many forms. A study looking at how people of various ages managed the stress of COVID-19 lockdowns showed that the resilience of older adults protected them from the distress experienced by younger people.
You can also move through this next chapter with greater insight into the challenges facing others, too. “I have observed that older people usually have a heightened ability to deal with life's challenges calmly and with resilience,” says North Carolina therapist Sophie Cress. “This enhanced ability is a result of a lifetime of experiences that has given them a broader understanding of human nature, enabling them to interact with others in a more empathetic and nuanced manner. This accumulated wisdom can play a vital role in managing stress, promoting emotional intelligence, and fostering positive mental health.”
That buildup of wisdom and resilience can also help you feel empowered in your everyday life, not just when a crisis comes along. Former first lady Michelle Obama acknowledged that concept as she approached her 50th birthday in 2014. “I have never felt more confident in myself, more clear on who I am as a woman,” she told Parade in 2013. “But I am constantly thinking about my own health and making sure that I’m eating right and getting exercise and watching the aches and pains. I want to be this really fly 80-, 90-year old.”
Your Schedule Is Your Own … Mostly
Between the demands of your job, your kids’ school and extracurricular activities, and other countless responsibilities, you may have felt little control over your schedule through the years. But as you enter this new phase of life, you may start to find blocks of free time with nothing penciled in. Imagine.
“One of the key joys at this stage is the ability to invest time in relationships, hobbies, and activities that bring us happiness,” says San Juan Capistrano, CA, family therapist Jennifer Worley. “With potential reductions in work commitments and grown-up children, there's more time to nurture friendships, explore new interests, or rekindle old passions. This can be a period of discovery and reinvention. Travel and new experiences often become more feasible and enjoyable post-50. With financial stability and more free time, many find this the perfect phase to explore new cultures and landscapes, enriching their lives with fresh perspectives and memories.”
If you do get to travel, you can arrive at your destinations with interests and passions gained across a lifetime. Think about how much more you’ll get out of a trip abroad now than you would have when you were younger and didn’t have the cultural and historical knowledge you now possess.
If you want to pick up an old hobby or start something new, you can more easily carve out the time for that. Taking dance lessons, a cooking glass, or jumping on the pickleball bandwagon won’t come with the stress of knowing you have a stack of deadlines and demands awaiting you back home.
You Can Pass the Torch
You have gathered wisdom, skills, perspective, and now you can share those with others. The rewards of mentorship and volunteering can be life-changing. A study looking at the health and well-being rewards of volunteering found that adults over the age of 50 who volunteered at least 100 hours a year had lower rates of mortality and physical functioning limitations and a greater sense of purpose and optimism.
Acting as a mentor or volunteer also keeps you engaged with other people, which helps buoy your mental health and your thinking skills. “Creating a sense of purpose and fostering social connections are crucial,” Cress says. “When individuals participate in meaningful activities and maintain strong social bonds, they experience better mental health and longevity. Those who engage in volunteer work, mentorship, or join social groups that reflect their interests will not only have a sense of purpose but will also benefit from a supportive social network that positively impacts their emotional and mental well-being.”
Show Sources
Photo Credit: E+/Getty Images
SOURCES:
American Journal of Preventive Medicine: “Volunteering and Subsequent Health and Well-being in Older Adults: An Outcome-wide Longitudinal Approach.”
Frontiers in Psychiatry: “Stressful Life Events and Resilience During the COVID-19 Lockdown Measures in Italy: Association With Mental Health Outcomes and Age.”
Journal of Happiness Studies: “Does Happiness Increase in Old Age? Longitudinal Evidence from 20 European Countries.”
Parade: “Michelle Obama on the Move.”
Diane Lang, therapist; adjunct professor, Montclair State University.
Pareen Sehat, health counselor, Vancouver, Canada.
Sophie Cress, therapist, North Carolina.
Jennifer Worley, family therapist, San Juan Capistrano, CA.
