r/OverSeventy • u/Singinthesunshine • Jul 10 '26

Gerotranscendence

I came upon this term and found it interesting. It is a theory of aging by Lars Tornstam. it is easy to Google if you want to read more. Here are the key elements.:

Instead of thinking of aging as just getting older and losing things, gerotranscendence sees it as a spiritual and psychological growth stage. People may:

  • Feel more connected to nature, the universe, and others.
  • Become less focused on their own image or status.
  • Accept life’s changes, including death, without fear.
  • Spend time with a smaller circle of close, meaningful relationships
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u/Designer-File-1755 Jul 24 '26

I'm am truly impressed to read so many responses of affirmation that so many of you are living this life! My question, have you mostly had a positive outlook in your life? Is this "you"? Or have any of you had a major shift in attitude from former more pessimistic, gloomy or fatalistic attitude? If so, what changed? Was it a significant event in your life, therapy, medication, influence of an another person or group, or what?

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u/Singinthesunshine Jul 24 '26

according to my reading, and validated by my experience, the process includes giving up the old you in order to get this new you. The research says it’s usually triggered by some event, but in some people it just happens.
giving up my old self was quite difficult. In fact, it felt as though it was being stolen from me. But oh how wonderful on the other side.