REVIEW: "The Age of Happiness", Vladimir Yakovlev

Few people are interested in seniors unless it's Iggy Pop or Warren Buffett. It is customary to respect and pity the old people who have not accumulated millions and have not become rock stars: they have already lived their way. Vladimir Yakovlev, founder of Kommersant and Snob and a professional photographer, set out to debunk the myth that there is no life after 60.

Yakovlev travels around the world and meets people who, after 60, run marathons, climb mountains and jump with parachutes. He takes pictures of heroes and records their stories. From these stories the “Age of Happiness” came out - a huge colorful edition with nice layout and great photos.

I've been reading for a long time. There regularly appear stories about how old zealous people do incredible things contrary to their age and the prescriptions of doctors. An excellent charge of positive for the day. But the book is more than that. Yakovlev is trying to figure out what unites all these people. What did the Chinese monks, active Europeans, mobile American women and former drinkers from Russia discern in life, that they managed to become happy at the end of their years? In fact, Yakovlev is looking for a formula for their happiness.

I will say right away: there is no formula in the book. Look for yourself here. But here's something important that you will understand from this book and what can help to hack life not even at 60 years old, but now:

1. Prolonging life is very simple

We all dream of living long. We read something about antioxidants, buy healthy food and dietary supplements. But there is another way to prolong life - you just have to not give it up after 60. Yakovlev suggests looking at this age differently: in retirement you have no responsibilities to society, children are attached, there is plenty of time. You can end the race for money, career, prestige and start the path to happiness. Isn't that what you've been dreaming about all your life?

2. It's never too late

Few of the heroes of the book have been sportsmen and Komsomol members since childhood. They began the path to their achievements already in old age. Here is an American woman who began her career as a humorist at 70. Here are the Novosibirsk grandmothers who were carried away by aikido. Here is a 90-year-old Briton who came to a ballet studio 10 years ago. You can start whenever you want.

3. Impossible does not happen

One hero of the book by the age of 72 had run millions of kilometers, although an ambulance took him away from the finish of the first marathon. Another character could barely walk on crutches, but instead of joint surgery, he began to dance, and at his 75 he keeps the rockabilly rhythm for three hours without stopping (not a weak cardio load). Doctors and common sense forbade, but they did it anyway. Happy exceptions, say lucky ones? But there are 50 such lucky ones in the book, and there are even more in the project base! It's time to finally admit that the impossible is a boundary that we set ourselves for ourselves.

4. Country does not matter

The heroes from the previous point, a runner and a dancer, live in Russia. It is not bad ecology that ruins health. This is not a way of life that makes grandmothers put on handkerchiefs and settle on the benches. Wanted - changed. It's simple.

5. The main thing is body and spirit

Despite the different lifestyles and hobbies, all the heroes of the book monitor nutrition and develop their body, some with physical exertion, some with mental (the brain is the same organ). And they are all absorbed in their occupation, in love with it. We can conclude that everything that is associated with passion, willpower, the ability to overcome weaknesses and love your body works to create happiness.

Notice how clichéd paragraph headings sound? Alas, otherwise the meaning cannot be conveyed in words. It is better to really get into this by getting to know the heroes of the book (you can start from the website www.ageofhappiness.ru or the same Facebook group). You are inspired by stories about? Now imagine how motivated by those who do the same at 98!

This book is not for those who are over 60. I would not risk giving it to my stay-at-home grandmother - I'm afraid that the motivational charge of the book will not be enough for her, and a photo of old women with parachutes will work like a teaser. But for parents who are approaching the “fatal” age line - yes! And to those who are 30 or 40 years old up to the "devil" - also yes! And in general, this is a book for young people. I'll explain now.

We work, make repairs, meet deadlines and always expect that now this madhouse will end and life will begin. Tomorrow. We'll just put new windows. And then reporting for the quarter - and tomorrow immediately life to the fullest. But when this "tomorrow" comes, we call it a pension and give up full life.

“The Age of Happiness” is about how to live this “tomorrow”. And also about what values are true, and that it would be good to find a place for them in life today, but, in general, it is never too late.