Aging in the Digital Age
In the face of the inevitable march of time, can our digital tools help us to age more purpose-fully?
By Xische Editorial, February 28, 2022
Source: BoykoPictures/Envato
Nothing inspires the human spirit more like the inevitability of aging. The famed Swiss psychologist Carl Jung transformed psychology with his ideas about the middle of our lives. Once we reach a certain halfway point, our period of long-decline towards death stirs unavoidable emotions inside us. Our ability to confront and deal with these emotions is a crucial indicator of dealing with these mid-life crises. Jung was writing in the 1920s and would have been surprised to see the myriad applications and wellness tips dealing with aging that exist today. But we will get to those in a second.
Jung wrote that "an ever-deepening self-awareness seems to me as probably essential for the continuation of a truly meaningful life in any age, no matter how uncomfortable this self-knowledge may be. Nothing is more ridiculous or unsuitable as older people who act as if they were still young -- they lose even their dignity, the only privilege of age. The watch must be the introspection. Everything is revealed in self-knowledge, what is it, what it is intended to, and about what and for what one lives. The wholeness of ourselves is certainly a rationale."
That’s a complex quote, but the essential meaning is clear. As we get older, we have the opportunity to find meaning and purpose in life. This process of becoming wise is an opportunity that should be embraced rather than thrown to the side. Yet, the process requires self-awareness, and that takes serious work. As we navigate our middle life (which is generally between the ages of 36 to 45), we have the rare chance to rearrange ourselves in dramatic ways in the emotional sense. Jung noted that, some days we feel youthful, full of vim and vigor; other days, we are aware of the “deficits of age.” We notice the body and mind changing. More fat, less muscle. These changes, according to Jung, are meant to keep us grounded in the body as we undergo a psychological dissolution.
As we age, our responsibility also increases. Children, work, and owning a home are among the most common forms of responsibilities that we encounter. However, the pace at which life unfolds now is faster than at any point in human history. For example, we work longer hours and are always connected to the office. This pressure leads to existential anxiety that can significantly influence our natural aging process. These challenges have grown exponentially since the Covid-19 pandemic began over two years ago. Millions around the world are struggling to break out of the dreadful pandemic mindset (for a good reason). Something needs to give.
As a result of the shared anxiety we are dealing with, there are more avenues than ever to combat dread. There has never been a better time to tune into oneself, from mindfulness applications to smartwatch assistants and all manner of exercise routines and diets. The aides are excellent, but the best advice might be the kindest: the key to a happy life and graceful aging is not to be so hard on yourself. It’s unclear how Jung might have viewed these applications given how much of his thought is concerned with internal growth. One thing is clear, aides can be helpful to negotiate the problem of aging, but true happiness still comes from within. No smartphone will be able to supplement one’s deep sense of self.
Anxiety and aging are as old as human civilization itself. Sometimes, one simply needs a nice walk around the neighborhood or a tranquil moment of reflection. There is no need to fight the inevitable. Best to use every day as a growth opportunity where we can get a little wiser.
