RESOURCES TO HELP GUIDE YOU

Senior Living Information, Guides and Blog Articles
Request Information
Back
Enjoying a lIfe well lived.

Developmental psychology can be looked at from a variety of perspectives, but psychologist Erik Erikson looked at the “major tasks” of each life stage. The stage of life from 65+ years old is titled “Ego integrity vs. despair.” But what, you might ask, is ego integrity? Ego integrity is the ability to look at the choices and events of your life, and make meaning out of them. This usually includes accepting that even though there will always be challenges and mistakes in life, you can make the choice to consider your life well lived (Lally & Valentine, 2021).

Reminiscing on the past, as well as discussing important life events with loved ones, is one way you can work towards ego integrity. Plus, by making space in your life for spiritual wellness and exploration, you can understand how to make meaning of your life. Spirituality can be viewed as any sort of connection to things greater than yourself, and may or may not include religion. If you’d like to work toward “accomplishing” ego integrity, start by considering the following questions:

  • What things in my life have meant the most to me?
  • How have I changed and become more wise through my experiences?
  • What do I believe my overall purpose in life was?
  • Do I consider my life a life well lived?

Lally, M., & Valentine-French, S. (2021, August 2). 9.17: Erikson – integrity vs. despair. Lifespan Development A Psychological Perspective. Retrieved October 14, 2022, from https://opentextbooks.concordia.ca/lifespandevelopment/chapter/9-17-erikson-integrity-vs-despair/

Back
 Get In Touch
Contact us to schedule a tour and learn more!