The great challenge of aging, becoming old, is how to continue to feel like ones self even as many of the sustaining cues, from within and outside of the self, are challenged, altered and lost.
As we age, the urge to acquire gives way to the urge to simplify — to disperse, donate, and lighten the load we carry. This stage invites us to let go not only of things, but of thoughts and burdens that no longer serve us.
read moreAs we age, we often catch ourselves waiting for permission to rest, reach out, or enjoy the day. But old age is also the age of agency — the time when we can finally grant ourselves the permission we have been waiting for.
read moreA global community of professionals is working to address the mental health of older adults across more than fifty countries — and I’m honored to help lead that effort.
read moreGrowing older is like tending a garden of weeds and flowers: the aches and ageism are intertwined with long-held passions and new possibilities.
read moreWe never outgrow magical thinking — but moving from a wish to a reality requires passing through distinct stages. An aging psychologist explores what gets in the way, and shares her own story of turning grief into a journey forward.
read moreA reflection on contributing to the APA’s new e-booklet on the psychology of aging, exploring how the field has evolved beyond pathology to encompass resilience and meaning-making in later life.
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