The Gift of Mid-Life Growth & Discovery

As I press the button “enrol now” for my third and final year of Masters of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP), I am struck by two powerful emotions – gratitude and curiosity!

I am incredibly grateful and blessed that two and a half years ago, amidst a lot of chaos and uncertainty in my life, I made the decision in my mid-fifties to embrace learning and go back to university to study something that had always fascinated me – the psychology of our shared humanity. I really wanted to understand more about myself and the people I work and live with and find another more impactful way of contributing to the world, now that I’m all grown up (as if!).

When I stumbled across the MAPP Programme at Buckinghamshire New University, I knew I had struck gold and the last two years of learning has been profound and transformational. In the first instance, it has changed me in ways I can’t even begin to describe. It’s quite incredible to realise midway through life how much there is still to learn and still to grow and still to contribute – nowhere near the finished article…yet…ever…in fact I feel I’m just at the beginning! I guess this willingness to continue to grow, learn, make mistakes is an amazing part of our human condition, this sense of self-actualisation and coming to know thy true self and real purpose on this planet.

I am incredibly curious about what the future holds as I embrace the third year focused on researching and writing my dissertation. I am exploring “Mattering” (aligned with purpose and meaning), a topic which has hugely sparked my interest and so important in a world where many feel invisible or like they don’t matter.

Reflecting on everything I have learned over the past two years and how it has impacted me, I have a deep need to share with others, who may find this knowledge useful and help their journey. I feel I have been gifted so much, it would be wrong of me to keep to myself. I am still working out how best to do this to reach the widest and most appropriate audience. This will emerge, I am sure, but in the meantime, I am choosing to share with you - my valued connections on LinkedIn – please be kind. I have decided to write a blog series “The Gifts…” covering some of the main positive psychology topics that have not only resonated with me but profoundly changed how I live my life and interact with others – hence seeing them as valuable gifts. I hope this series will resonate with some of you (even just one person and that’s enough for me!). I will be delighted to receive feedback and questions.

I aim to cover topics including

• Knowing our Strengths

• Understanding our emotions

• Developing Resilience

• Experiencing Appreciation

• Savouring & Awe

• Exploring Psychological Capital

• Finding Hope & Optimism

• Developing Compassion & Self-Compassion

• Exploring Purpose, Meaning & Mattering

Please reach out, if you’d like to find out more on any of the topics I share along the way, I will have long reading lists!!! #1. The Gift of Strengths – coming soon…

© Jackie Wade 2022