Discover how Dr. Denise Taylor combines her background inpsychology, deep connection with nature, and innovative research to redefine aging well. This inspiring conversation explores meaning, community, and slowing down to truly live later life.

About Dr. Denise

Dr. Denise Taylor is redefining what it means to grow older.A Chartered Psychologist and expert in later-life transitions, she helps people navigate this stage with purpose, freedom, and renewed possibility. Her doctorate explored how we find meaning beyond full-time work. She is the author of nine books, including Rethinking Retirement for Positive Ageing. She also leads nature-based retreats in her private woodland, integrating reflection and deep connection to the natural world. Her next book, ThriveSpan, charts a more conscious path through later life, where wellbeing, purpose, and reflection meet.

In 2024, Dr. Denise received the UK Career Development Award for Research by a Career Development Professional for her doctoral study, exploring the psychological factors that support a fulfilling and grounded later life.

Key Takeaways

• When psychologists talk about meaning, they’re often pointing to a life that feels purposeful, coherent, and significant. Two powerful drivers of that sense of meaning are creativity and proactivity.
• The ThriveSpan philosophy is a reflective frameworkfor navigating later life with purpose, wellbeing, and conscious intention. It promotes "walking gently into what matters now.”
• ThriveSpan is organized in three paths: self and wellbeing, connection and contribution, and exploration and fulfillment.
• Building an inner foundation for later life includes accepting that we're getting older and keep moving forward. Understand what you can’t change and stay in the moment.
• Being alone isn’t the same as being lonely. We eachneed different levels of social connection. Some people simply prefer connection in smaller doses.

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