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:
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/