By Paul von Zielbauer
It’s midsummer. You’re either on vacation or wishing you were because everyone else you know or work with is. Also, your hip is acting up again and your shoulder tendons are on fire.
If you’re willing to entertain a few new, creative ideas on how to enjoy your life just a little bit more than you feel capable of now, the following gratitude-less thought experiments or personal happiness hacks might really help. These ideas below won’t make you “happier.” But they just might lighten you up, lift a burden, get you to think a little more self-forgivingly. Best of all, they never mention the happiness industry’s favorite word: gratitude.
Disclaimer: these strategies and methods are based on zero clinical research, so they just might work.
Strategic nostalgia curation. Deliberately revisit specific positive memories from each decade of your life. This is not random reminiscing but the purposeful recollection of moments when you felt most capable, loved or alive. This habit counteracts the brain’s tendency to focus on recent struggles while building a richer sense of identity.
The “invisible contribution” practice. Acknowledge the countless ways your past efforts are still rippling through the world: former students you taught; problems you solved at work; comfort and support you gave to friends or loved ones in need. Most people over 50 have influenced more lives than they realize but never pause to recognize this ongoing impact.
The bulls—- budget. Allocate 10% to 15% of your weekly time to handling the unforeseen obstacles and problems that interfere with your plans. Your internet goes down during an important call; your pet barfs on the sofa; the moving van gets a flat tire; or you spend two hours on the phone with your health insurance. Instead of viewing these disruptions as productivity killers that ruin your carefully planned schedule, treat them as expected line items you’ve already budgeted for.
Corollary: The boring task lottery. Write mundane chores on slips of paper and draw them randomly when you need a break from important work. The element of chance makes tedious tasks feel more like a game than an obligation.
The “past-self thank you” ritual. Instead of journaling about the G-word (I told you I wouldn’t mention it), spend a few minutes each week thanking your past self for specific decisions that are paying off now. “Thanks for meal prepping Sunday, past me” or, “Thanks for backing up those files six months ago.” This creates a positive feedback loop with your own decision-making.
Personal energy audit. Ruthlessly eliminate energy drains that, frankly, younger people might tolerate. Skip events that don’t energise you; end relationships that consistently deplete you; stop pretending to like rituals, events or behaviors you’re just plain done with. Your energy is finite, so protect it. That’s not selfishness; it’s wisdom.
Strategic incompetence. Deliberately become bad at tasks you hate but feel obligated to do well. Set a “minimum viable effort” threshold for things like elaborate holiday decorations or perfectly organised closets. The relief of lowering standards in non-essential areas frees up energy for what matters.
Corollary: Strategic ignorance. Consciously let go of skills or knowledge that no longer serve you. Stop trying to keep up with every technology or trend. The relief of purposeful ignorance in select areas frees mental space for what genuinely matters now.
The emotional weather report. Instead of fighting negative emotions, treat them like weather. “I’m experiencing a jealousy storm this afternoon,” or, “Looks like there’s some anxiety fog rolling in.” This creates distance without suppression and reminds you that feelings (like weather) are temporary.
Micro-rebellions. Build in tiny acts of defiance against your own rigid systems: Take a different route home, eat breakfast for dinner, wear that 1990s hippie necklace, which you couldn’t quite manage to ever throw away, to work. These small breaks from routine create pockets of spontaneity without major disruption.
Reverse bucket list. Instead of focusing on what you still want to do, create a “Did It” list of your greatest experiences or adventures. This shifts focus from scarcity to abundance and helps you realise how much living you’ve already accomplished.
Preemptive celebration. Set calendar reminders to celebrate small wins you know are coming (like finishing a project, paying off a debt … or finishing a weekly column). Scheduling joy creates something to look forward to beyond the accomplishment itself.
While not all of these unconventional happiness hacks are strictly for people over 50, all of them leverage — I can’t believe I just used that word — older adults’ accumulated wisdom, clearer priorities and less need for external validation. They work because they hack common psychological patterns instead of requiring willpower or unrealistic lifestyle changes.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m late for a preemptive celebration. (Creators)