Resources for spiritual and emotional wellbeing: meaningful ageing at every life stage

The importance of emotional and spiritual wellbeing as you age

Ageing isn't just a physical experience. It's also an emotional and spiritual journey.  

Emotional and spiritual wellbeing refers to your sense of identity, purpose, and connection. These all grow and evolve as you do, with age. 

Looking after your emotional and spiritual wellbeing through every life stage can: 

• Strengthen your resilience 
• Deepen your relationships 
• Support a stronger sense of self 

This supports a more meaningful ageing journey. 

Resources to support meaningful ageing 

Meaningful Ageing Australia (MAA) offers resources to help navigate these aspects of ageing. The resources can help you engage more deeply with what it means to age well. They can help you do this through: 

• Self-reflection 
• Learning 
• Shared conversation 

Understanding meaningful ageing: purpose and fulfilment

Meaningful ageing is about living in a way that feels fulfilling to you. 

MAA’s Map of Meaning framework highlights four key dimensions of self-fulfilment: 

1. Integrity with self  

This is about living and working in a way that aligns with your values and identity. 

2. Expressing full potential  

This is about growing, learning, and using your abilities. 

3. Unity with others  

This is about nurturing your sense of connection and belonging. 

4. Service to others  

This is about contributing beyond yourself. 

Explore your map of meaning

Want to explore your own sense of meaning more deeply? 

MAA’s Map of Meaning Self Reflection Guide offers a structured way to reflect on self-fulfilment at any age. 

Laurel from the MAAreference group shares her thoughts about The Map of Meaning and Ageing: a self-reflection guide.

The importance of identity: being seen and known

Spiritual and emotional wellbeing are closely linked to identity. You need to feel: 

• Seen, heard, and understood  
• Recognised as a whole person, not defined by age or stereotypes 

MAA’s See me. Know me. campaign helps older people and carers feel valued, stay connected, and access person‑centred aged care. It also offers conversation starters to share your story, values, and interests with family and friends. 

Explore the resource

You can begin by watching the free video. It introduces key concepts around identity and ageing. 

Meet Betty, Mohammed, Ross, Pech, Salwa and Paul as they share some of who they are for the See me. Know me. campaign. Find out more by viewing their posters available on the MAA website.

You can access the full resource here:

The importance of connection: what the research says

Connection is important for emotional wellbeing. It can help by: 

• Reducing the effects of stress  
• Building stronger support networks 

In 2023, MAA and McCrindle Research explored this. They developed the Living Longer, Thriving Together report. It highlights the importance of connection across generations. 

Staying connected can help people find meaning and purpose at every stage of life. 

You can learn more about the report and how community can support meaningful ageing here:

Ongoing practices for emotional and spiritual wellbeing

Looking after your emotional and spiritual wellbeing is a lifelong practice.  

MAA's YouTube channel offers a range of free resources to help. You can use these to reflect and care for yourself in everyday life: 

Book club videos  

Book club videos provide a space for shared reflection and discussion. 

Meditation webinars  

Spiritual care and meditation webinars offer tools for awareness and inner calm. 

Podcasts and conversations 

The channel features various podcasts, such as The Shadow of Ageing, to explore deeper questions about age, identity, and meaning. 

Ageing: a shared, meaningful journey

Through reflection and connection, you can continue to grow and find meaning as you age. Meaningful ageing begins with paying attention to: 

• Yourself 
• Others 
• What matters most to you 

Meaningful Ageing Australia’s resources offer a range of ways to help you get started. 

You can also use LiveUp’s resources to get started by: 

• Searching for social groups near you with our Activities finder 
• Reading more articles on mental wellbeing by selecting the ‘Mental health’ goals filter on our Healthy ageing articles page 

References

Meaningful Ageing Australia. Map of Meaning and Ageing: A Self‑Reflection Guide. https://meaningfulageing.org.au/seemeknowme/map-of-meaning-and-ageing-a-self-reflection-guide/  

Meaningful Ageing Australia. See me. Know me. https://meaningfulageing.org.au/seemeknowme/see-me-know-me/  

Meaningful Ageing Australia & McCrindle Research (2023). Living Longer, Thriving Together Report. https://meaningfulageing.org.au/seemeknowme/why-emotional-wellbeing/  

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