The Four Stages of Life

Description

Mark Manson outlines the four inevitable stages of human development that most people pass through in life. Stage One: The Copycat (childhood to early adulthood) - We learn to function in society by mimicking others, but some people get stuck here, living out other people's dreams and desperately seeking validation. Stage Two: The Explorer (late teens to 30s) - We discover what makes us unique through experimentation with places, people, and experiences, but eventually hit our limitations and realize we can't do everything. Stage Three: The Martyr (30s to retirement) - We consolidate our lives around what matters most, committing deeply to relationships, careers, or causes we're willing to sacrifice for. Stage Four: The Mortal (later life) - We shift from building to letting go, becoming mentors and teachers rather than heroes, preparing to outlive our own accomplishments. Each transition typically involves pain or crisis, and people can get stuck at any stage. The key is understanding that growth means reshuffling your values and accepting new limitations at each level.