Old Age Adjustments Unconsciously Dropped by Discontented Women
In a world where success and milestones are often celebrated, many deeply unhappy women find themselves quietly abandoning these traditions. This quiet abandonment is not a choice, but a response to the emotional turmoil and cyclical isolation that deeply unhappy women experience, as suggested by numerous studies.
Feeling heard, valued, and understood in social interactions and relationships is crucial for self-esteem, well-being, and general health. However, deeply unhappy women often find themselves in a cycle of toxicity, as a study from the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships suggests, that's perpetuated by feeling chronically misunderstood. This chronic feeling of misunderstanding often leads to the abandonment of trust in others, causing these women to isolate themselves from deeper connection and meaningful conversations.
The struggle to maintain relationships and strong connections is a common theme among deeply unhappy women. They lack the emotional space and energy to invest in these practices, often focusing more on survival than thriving. This struggle is further compounded by the mental fatigue and loneliness that deeply unhappy women often experience, making it hard for them to celebrate even the smallest milestones or cultivate new relationships.
Deeply unhappy women also often abandon creativity, leaving behind dreams of purpose and newness. The fear of rejection or the exhaustion of emotional energy can make pursuing their dreams seem unattainable. This avoidance of dreams and ambition can leave these women stuck in stagnant situations, struggling to find the emotional and physical courage to pursue newness and change.
However, it's important to note that it's still a common and healthy practice for older individuals to set and chase goals, giving them a sense of purpose and drive, as a study from BMC Geriatrics argues. Yet, for deeply unhappy women, the fear of failure or the weight of societal expectations can be overwhelming, making it difficult to take that first step towards change.
The factors contributing to women experiencing declining happiness with age, compared to men, as suggested by a study from the American Economic Journal, include a combination of financial disparities, relationship challenges, and mental health struggles. Women are more likely to face social isolation, difficulties in career growth and identity, and the pressures of living within a toxic and patriarchal society. These factors exacerbate unhappiness and lead to women quietly abandoning positive habits like practicing gratitude and maintaining strong relationships, which further impacts their overall mental health and happiness.
In contrast, a different subgroup—unemployed men over 50—may experience a distinct pattern of mental health largely tied to societal expectations about work and retirement, which is not shown as much among women.
Thus, the declining happiness with age for women is a multifaceted issue, involving financial, relational, and societal pressures combined with mental health vulnerabilities, whereas men's happiness trajectories are influenced by different social and employment-related factors.
Expressing gratitude and giving thanks to other people is often what bolsters relationships and protects mental health. However, for unhappy people who are already struggling with isolation or mental health challenges, it can make the practice that much harder to commit to. Deeply unhappy women often avoid making new friends as they get older due to mental fatigue or present loneliness.
In the face of these challenges, it's essential to remember that resilience and intentional mental health rituals can fend off against emotional exhaustion and mental fatigue, as a study from the International Journal of Mental Health Nursing suggests. It's never too late to start practicing self-care, to seek help when needed, and to strive for personal growth, even in the smallest of steps.
[1] American Economic Journal, 2017 [2] Journal of Happiness Studies, 2019 [3] Geriatric Psychiatry, 2020 [4] International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 2021 [5] Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 2022
- Deeply unhappy women, despite experiencing emotional turmoil and cyclical isolation, are in dire need of feeling heard, valued, and understood in their social interactions and relationships to foster self-esteem, well-being, and general health.
- A study from the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships suggests that deeply unhappy women are trapped in a cycle of toxicity, often feeling chronically misunderstood.
- This chronic feeling of misunderstanding can lead to the abandonment of trust in others, causing these women to isolate themselves from deeper connection and meaningful conversations.
- The struggle to maintain relationships and strong connections is a common theme among deeply unhappy women, as they lack the emotional space and energy to invest in these practices, often focusing more on survival than thriving.
- The fear of rejection or the exhaustion of emotional energy can make pursuing dreams and ambitions seem unattainable for deeply unhappy women, causing them to abandon creativity and leave behind dreams of purpose and newness.
- A study from the American Economic Journal suggests that women face financial disparities, relationship challenges, and mental health struggles more than men, leading to their declining happiness with age.
- Resilience and intentional mental health rituals can help combat emotional exhaustion and mental fatigue, as suggested by a study from the International Journal of Mental Health Nursing.
- Unemployed men over 50 may experience a distinct pattern of mental health largely tied to societal expectations about work and retirement, compared to women.
- Expressing gratitude and giving thanks to other people is crucial for bolstering relationships and protecting mental health but can be particularly challenging for unhappy people who are already struggling with isolation or mental health challenges.
