Did you get happier with age?

r/

A Harvard study found that people over 85 reported higher life satisfaction than younger age groups. Maybe age helps us focus on what really matters—and stop sweating the small stuff?

…or maybe the cranky ones just don’t stick around as long?

Comments

  1. AutoModerator Avatar

    Please do not comment directly to this post unless you are Gen X or older (born 1980 or before). See this post, the rules, and the sidebar for details. Thank you for your submission, Dry-Character2197.

    I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

  2. Hour-Initiative-2766 Avatar

    Suicide is highest at 85+ when compared to other age groups. According to cdc.gov

  3. slenderella148 Avatar

    well, I’m almost 65 so all I can say at this moment in time, is, I hope so! But I HAVE found that I am happier and calmer now than I was even five years ago. I am retired so I don’t have that work grind, the commute hassles, the forced, social, work interactions. Now that my parents are dead, I don’t have the forced interactions with them either, God rest their souls. Maybe I’m not happier, but I am finding real peace. I’m very pleased.

  4. ConsistentCoyote3786 Avatar

    My 40’s have been my best years.

  5. TopAd1052 Avatar

    I feel alot happier. Stress level is way down. Little things don’t bother me. I find there aren’t as many hills worth fight for. I try to find as much happiness in my day as possible. Life is getting shorter. Why ruin it by being angry over stupid shit I have no control over.

  6. Grandpixbear1 Avatar

    Yes. I’m over 65 and the happiest I’ve ever been! Recently, I went through some incredible rough stressful couple years. But came through it stronger and happier!

  7. NotAnAIOrAmI Avatar

    I think studies show increasing happiness for people in their 50’s.

    And yes, hell yes, every year is getting better for happiness. Until that, you know, sudden stop ahead.

  8. Even_Saltier_Piglet Avatar

    The older I get the more money I have. Mo ey doesn’t buy happiness but it makes life a lot easier. I don’t have to work so much anymore. I don’t have to worry about finances anymore.

    The pease and quiet makes me happier.

  9. Redtex Avatar

    Yes, because I’ve mostly stopped giving a shit what other people think about me, what I drive and how I make money.

  10. OldDog03 Avatar

    Well, it depends if you are wearing depends.

    For me, yes, life got better with age, and now that I have been retired 4 years, it is great.

    Especially taking care of our one year old grandson.

  11. tasjansporks Avatar

    Actually, I saw a study decades ago that showed the cranky ones stayed around longer.

    And a lot of surveys suggesting that happiness peaks in the 70’s. I’ve never seen one saying it’s higher in the 80’s, but who knows.

    But I can’t argue with focusing on what matters and not sweating the small stuff.

  12. FormerlyDK Avatar

    I got a lot happier after 60. Circumstances I won’t mention had me living alone (good), and then being able to retire (great).

  13. JackarooDeva Avatar

    It doesn’t happen automatically. But I’ve had time to explore a lot of mental habits and find out which ones work.

  14. EdgeRough256 Avatar

    No, one hit after another…I‘m waiting to check out for good…

  15. TwpMun Avatar

    they reported higher because there are less of them

  16. korruptedhimself Avatar

    No, In my 40s missing my late 20s early 30s

  17. Phil_Atelist Avatar

    I just had a moment of bliss and I’m 67. Nice sunny cool day, (mid 60s F), 16 c. Into the rain forest by a rushing creek, waterfalls, rapids, sat by the stream in the shade, no stress, no pressure, just being. So, yeah, “happy” maybe, more contented despite all of the crap going on.

  18. PissedWidower Avatar

    I believe in the validity of old expressions,  especially the one, “the good die young” so yes, those mean greedy self centered sons of bitches ONLY concerned with their own happiness never lifting a finger or bending over to help someone in need live long lives. Me, I’m trying my best to outlive those lousy bastards. 

  19. MRicho Avatar

    Or they are losing they marbles and think they are happy.

  20. DNathanHilliard Avatar

    I would say I got more centered and calm with age. I learned to take things in stride a whole lot better.

  21. Appropriate_Ebb1634 Avatar

    Same here ! No more work! I’ve lived long enough for a couple inheritances to come thru & yes, life is a joy…

  22. challam Avatar

    Very much so, except I don’t laugh much anymore & I used to find humor in everything. Things (global politics) seem very dark & threatening to me & nothing seems very funny, especially satire. But I’m much more content now than ever — maybe because I don’t have to deal with people IRL very often.

  23. genek1953 Avatar

    Not having to deal with a workplace anymore made a big difference for me. 🙂