What makes us happy changes four times in your life

Life is a book in five chapters

Of course, we are not happy with the same things today as we did in elementary school (apart from chocolate and ice skating). Superficially, our preferences simply change over the course of life.

But according to social psychologist Jennifer Aaker, our search for happiness follows a very specific pattern. It is determined by five forces that drive us: discovery, development, balance, meaningfulness and appreciation.

"Our search for happiness seems to change every ten years," she explains. It describes the phases of life as a narrative in five chapters:

1) childhood and youth: discovery

In childhood and youth, we find happiness in discoveries and in excitement and new charms. We appreciate things that help us understand the world around us, which is still pretty new to us.



2) The Twenties: Development

In the twenties we experience the second chapter of our lives. Now our personal development is in the foreground. What motivates and makes us happy is success and the feeling of being appreciated by others. We are looking for our place in life.

3) The Thirties: Balance

In the thirties, their own development is still auspicious, but wants to be balanced by private happiness. Stability can now become a priority? for example settling down and caring to stay healthy (for we feel for the first time that we will not be forever young).

4) Forties: meaningfulness

In middle age, our pursuit of happiness often becomes selfless. The others (family, friends, neighbors, society, the world out there) are becoming more important, and taking care of them becomes more important than their own advancement. Thinking about what you have already achieved makes us happy too.



5) Fifties and Sixties: Appreciation

In the fifth chapter of our lives, we're probably looking for a calmer form of happiness - compared to the excitement we found so fascinating in adolescence. Older people seek and find happiness in being content and in connecting with other people. They are grateful for what they have and are happy about what they have achieved.

Your own attitude is crucial - not age

But scientist Jennifer Aaker also emphasizes that these five chapters are not set in stone? and attitude and attitude are more important than the age.

Jennifer Aaker's "Happiness Narrative" in the video:

Waking Up at 4:00 AM Every Day Will Change Your Life (March 2024).



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