Erik Erikson, one of the most influential psychoanalysts of the 20th century, proposed an eight- stage theory of growth as a model for how we live, think, learn and change throughout our lifetimes.

What we value, our character and psyche are determined as a result of the developmental tasks we face in each stage.

For more information on his stages see: http://swppr.org/Textbook/Ch%209%20Erikson.pdf

Erikson's last stage is sometimes referred to as late adulthood, maturity, or old age (Erikson's term is Ego Integrity vs. Despair), and begins around the age of 60 or when we typically retire. According to his theory, during this final stage of life we take a deep inventory of our lives and our sense of usefulness. The basic question most people grapple with at this stage is: did our life have meaning? However, we do not need to wait until the latter part of our life to answer this question. We can do it now!

Some people become preoccupied with the past, their failures, regrets, and the bad decisions they made, knowing they do not have the time or the vigor to reverse how they lived and treated others. Sometimes this results in people becoming depressed, vindictive, resentful and spiteful in old age. They often wish that they had lived a life that was different, more positive and had deeper meaning. Conversely, others look back and accept the choices they made, realizing they did their best given the choices they had and the circumstances they faced. If you were dying now, into which category would you place yourself?