I’ve realized that getting older isn’t just about adding years—it’s about making those years meaningful, joyful, and fulfilling. But to do that, I’ve had to let go of certain habits that were holding me back.
Some behaviors might feel familiar, even comfortable, but they can quietly drain our happiness and limit what’s possible in this stage of life.
If you want your 70s and beyond to be some of your best years yet, it’s time to say goodbye to these behaviors.
1) waiting for “someday”
How many times have you told yourself, “I’ll do that someday”?
The problem is, “someday” has a way of never actually arriving.
If you want your 70s and beyond to be some of the best years of your life, it’s time to stop waiting. Stop putting off the things that excite you, the experiences you’ve always wanted, and the changes you know would make you happier.
There’s no perfect time. There’s only now.
2) holding on to grudges
For years, I held onto resentment toward an old friend who had let me down. Every time I thought about them, I felt that familiar frustration bubble up. But you know what? They had moved on with their life—I was the only one still carrying the weight of that anger.
One day, I finally decided to let it go. Not for them, but for me. And it was like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.
Holding onto grudges only steals your peace. If you want to make the most of your later years, don’t waste energy on past hurts. Forgive, move forward, and free yourself from the burden.
3) saying “I’m too old for that”
The oldest person to ever run a marathon was 100 years old. Fauja Singh completed the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in 2011, proving that age is often just an excuse we tell ourselves.
Telling yourself you’re “too old” for something only limits what’s possible. Whether it’s trying a new hobby, traveling somewhere exciting, or making new friends, your later years can be full of adventure—if you let them.
Instead of focusing on age as a barrier, start asking yourself, “Why not?”
4) resisting change
Change is inevitable, no matter how much we try to fight it. The world keeps moving, new technologies emerge, and the way we do things evolves. Clinging to the past only makes life more frustrating.
The happiest people in their later years are the ones who stay open to learning and adapting. Whether it’s embracing new technology, adjusting to shifts in relationships, or trying different ways of doing things, flexibility keeps life interesting.
Instead of dreading change, see it as an opportunity to grow.
5) neglecting your relationships
At the end of the day, it’s not the things we own or the accomplishments we’ve achieved that bring us the most joy—it’s the people we share our lives with.
Yet, it’s easy to let relationships fade. Life gets busy, misunderstandings happen, and before we know it, too much time has passed. But connection is what keeps our hearts full, no matter our age.
If there are people you care about, reach out. Tell them what they mean to you. Make the effort, even when it feels easier not to. Because in the end, love and friendship are what truly make life worth living.
6) ignoring your health
For years, it was easy to put my health on the back burner. There was always something more important—work, family, responsibilities. I told myself I’d start eating better, exercising more, and getting enough rest “soon.” But soon never came.
Then one day, my body made the decision for me. The aches became harder to ignore, energy levels dropped, and simple tasks felt more difficult than they should. That’s when I realized: taking care of my health wasn’t just about adding years to my life—it was about making sure those years were good ones.
It’s never too late to start treating your body with the care it deserves. Small changes today can mean a healthier, more vibrant future.
7) living in the past
It’s easy to get caught up in memories—replaying old mistakes, longing for how things used to be, or wishing we could go back to a different time. But the past is just that—the past.
When we spend too much time looking backward, we miss out on everything happening right now. The truth is, life still has so much to offer, no matter our age. There are still new experiences to enjoy, new people to meet, and new memories to create.
Cherish the past, but don’t live there. The best years of your life might still be ahead of you.
8) believing it’s too late
As long as you’re here, there’s time. Time to grow, to change, to chase what excites you. Time to heal old wounds, to strengthen relationships, to try something new.
Life doesn’t have an expiration date on joy, purpose, or adventure. The only thing standing in the way is the belief that it’s too late. Let that go, and everything opens up.
bottom line: the years ahead are yours to shape
A study published in The Journal of Positive Psychology found that people who believe life improves with age tend to experience greater well-being as they grow older. In other words, mindset matters.
The years ahead aren’t just something to endure—they’re something to shape. By letting go of limiting behaviors, you create space for new experiences, deeper connections, and a renewed sense of purpose.
Your 70s and beyond can be some of the best years of your life. The question is: how will you choose to live them?
