Finding the Balance to Quiet the Striving: The Difference Between Successful Aging and Wise Aging

This paper draws on wisdom and lifespan development research to propose a conception of "wise aging," which may become particularly relevant in very old age as people's capacities for successful aging decline. We propose that 3 types of balance distinguish wise aging from successful aging. First, wisdom balances one's own interest with the greater good, emphasizing self-transcendence and compassion. Second, wisdom balances control striving with acceptance of uncontrollability. Wise aging involves a realistic awareness of one's decreasing levels of control and one's interconnectedness to and dependence on other people. Third, wisdom acknowledges, regulates, and balances positive and negative affect. Wise aging involves the ability to appreciate and relish the joys of life, but also to accept and embrace more negative emotions and to support others going through different times.