ABSTRACT
This article considers the manner in which happiness can be experienced as we age, from both an academic and personal perspective. It highlights some of the myths surrounding ageing and happiness, and examines some of the foci of where happiness is assumed to lie as we age. It concludes with the personal realization that for the author at least, learning to truly ‘be’ has had far more of an influence on his experience of happiness than trying to ‘do’, to achieve ‘more’. It also aims to provide hope to younger readers that happiness can in fact be reached and sustained at any age, depending on how we choose to experience the internal and external world.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.
Notes on contributor
Anton Ashcroft trained as a forensic psychologist within the UK prison service, before working for Leicester Drug and Alcohol Services. Following this, he became an independent consultant, developing drug rehabilitation programmes for the prison service, and working privately with those who had experienced trauma. Anton now lives in Aotearoa New Zealand, where he has continued to focus on working with clients with complex needs, and developing drug rehabilitation services for the Department of Corrections. Anton has also provided extensive supervision for alcohol and other drigs (AOD) professionals and other psychologists. More recently, Anton has moved into the field of business consultancy, focusing on developing key leadership skills for managers in blue chip organizations.