I wonder if that has something to do with the experience of death. Narcissistic god complex in those who haven’t had it. Humility and a real sense of purpose, legacy and a connection with those who came before and who will come after in those who have.
Probably not true in such simplistic terms. But I can certainly observe a change in that direction in my own life. And if you read works of people in their 20s from 100 years ago (pre antibiotics), you see a lot less narcissism also. (May just be survivorship bias, of course.)
Writing to process and reflect on loss naturally brings more vulnerability and introspection to one’s writing. I’m not sure that would carry over to all your subsequent work, though.
Probably not true in such simplistic terms. But I can certainly observe a change in that direction in my own life. And if you read works of people in their 20s from 100 years ago (pre antibiotics), you see a lot less narcissism also. (May just be survivorship bias, of course.)