The theory of personality development as developed by psychologist Erik Erikson describes our later adult years as being the eighth and final stage of life; a culmination of seven previous stages from learning to trust (the first) through to guiding the next generation (the seventh). The focus of this eighth stage should be a positive resolution of our life’s issues; a feeling of well-being and an acceptance of who we are. It is a time of reflection but need not be one of stillness. Whether retired, working for financial reasons or finally making a living at what we love to do (versus have to do), the eighth stage, according to Erikson’s original views was to be a time to prepare for death. However, with medical science being so advanced, we Baby Boomers feeling so invincible and Erikson himself living longer (just short of 92) than his description of eighth stage would have predicted, there is new meaning to be discovered during this time.
For people in this eighth stage, work, our social interactions and day-to-day transactions each take on a very different meaning than during prior stages. That meaning derives from the wisdom to live our lives with greater integrity and dignity than ever before; the freedom from having to impress others and the freedom not only to reflect on our lives, but moreover to be able to act on what we reflect. That’s what theeighthstage, this innovative on line community is about.
Erikson showed us the potential for two sides of every stage from trust or mistrust in stage one through to industry or inferiority in stage four to intimacy or isolation in stage six to the integrity or despair of the eight stage. While we will certainly offer a platform for cathartic discussion, theeighthstage is intended to be a place to share our reflections and experiences so that we learn to spend our later years with more integrity than despair.
theeighthstage is your catalyst to think about and discuss a positive and rewarding future, manifested in who you are and who you relate to.
theeighthstage is not intended to replicate the multitude of financial advice blogs, travel websites and the like. Rather theeighthstage offers a place for discussion, reflection and thought-provoking pieces that enable all of us to continue to thrive and grow.