The U-Shaped Curve - April 3 2026

 

The U-Shaped Curve 

April 3 2026

I am well past the age of acquisition.

All the shiny things 

I hardly used.

That broke, burned-out, became outmoded.

That made me no happier.

The inanimate objects

they promised

would transform my life.

Or did I delude myself

that such a thing was possible?

Now, if anything, it’s the age of loss.

Lost time, health, promise.

The people who have gone,

either dearly departed 

or given up on me.

The wonky hip,

knees

not as limber I’d like,

and life

more and more restricted

as my circle cinches tighter.

How losses can accumulate

is an oddity of language,

as if less could get you more.

Which is like water into wine,

the miracle

of the loaves and fishes. 

But since I’m not religious 

why things have gotten better

is a mystery to me.

Why I’m less stressed, more settled,

less pressured

more introspective, 

less judgmental 

and more forgiving

than the self-righteous teen

impatient young man.

Perhaps less really is more,

keeping it simple

and stripping the fat.

Fewer wants and things,

fewer false beliefs,

fewer illusions 

about myself.

Even the beginning of wisdom,

however flawed

and incomplete. 

They say that — in general — happiness in life follows a U-shaped curve: bottoming out in middle age (sandwiched between dependent kids and needy parents; by and large disappointed with how life turned out; financially stretched; more aches, pains, and physical limitation), then steadily ascending into old age. When instead of acquiring things, you’re divesting, culling, and simplifying life. 

Of course, freedom from things is mostly a good kind of loss: you realize most of that stuff was simply dead weight and dust collectors. But even with all the less desirable losses, life somehow gets better. Go figure!