Let’s travel back to 320 BC. Aristotle, the original life coach, dropped a truth bomb that still hits today: “Happiness depends upon ourselves.” Fast forward a few thousand years, and it turns out he wasn’t just being deep; he was giving us a DIY manual for life.
But if happiness is a “do-it-yourself” project, why does it feel so hard in the middle?
The Midlife Slump (Or, The “Is This It?” Phase)
According to Professor Dolan, we all start out with a healthy dose of “false optimism.” In our 20s, we’re convinced we’ll be CEOs with beach houses by 30. By 40, we realize we’re mostly just tired and really stressed about the price of avocados.
This creates the famous U-shape of happiness:
- The High: Youthful delusion (it’s blissful!).
- The Dip: The midlife “comparison trap” where we wonder why everyone else looks more successful on Instagram.
- The Rise: The glorious late 50s.
The Late-50s Glow Up
The best news? By the time you hit your late 50s, you officially “get over yourself.” This is the magical era where you stop caring about keeping up with the Joneses and start caring about what actually makes you smile.
The secret sauce for a happiness reboot is surprisingly simple:
- Audience Participation: Share experiences. Happiness is a team sport.
- The Remix: Blast your favorite music and reconnect with old friends (while making a few new ones who don’t know your embarrassing stories yet).
- Touch Grass: Seriously, go outdoors. It’s hard to be grumpy when there are trees involved.
The Moral of the Story: If you’re in the “bottom of the U” right now, hang in there. The curve goes back up, and the view from the other side, where you finally stop worrying about social comparisons, is spectacular.
Which “Happiness Habit” hits home for you right now?
- Ditching the social comparisons
- The “Get Over Yourself” era
- Rediscovering old hobbies
- Outdoor therapy
Which chapter of the U-curve are you currently living?
Let us know in the comments.
Want to reboot your happiness? Ready for some Audience Participation and mixing up your social circle? Become a City Adventurer!
The UK based Social Club for people who love visiting shows, exploring new places, discovering new things and solving mysteries.
Life is a journey so experience it’s adventure with like minded people. Live the life you’ve always dreamed of. City Adventurers Membership includes invitations to adventures and travel mainly in the UK
