Let’s be honest: turning 70 can feel like stepping onto a whole new terrain—one that’s both exciting and just a tad daunting.
Yet, the more I talk with fellow baby boomers, the more I realize we’re flipping the old script of what our “twilight years” should look like.
Many of us aren’t settling for fading quietly into retirement; instead, we’re embracing new challenges, new hobbies, and—most importantly—new definitions of success.
I’ve often been asked by friends, especially those inching closer to 70, how they can start their day so that they feel energized and purposeful rather than tired and adrift.
Over time, I’ve found there are a few morning habits that, when done effortlessly, really set us apart.
So, here are eight simple but powerful things you can do in the morning.
If you can glide through these practices with ease by the time you hit 70, you’ll be ahead of 90% of your peers—at least in my humble opinion!
1. Waking up with genuine gratitude
The first thing I do every morning, even before I swing my legs off the bed, is take a moment for gratitude.
It’s not a formal checklist—I just lie there and let my thoughts rest on what I’m thankful for: my grandchildren’s smiles, a good night’s sleep, or the chance to share time with my rescue dog, Molly.
Believe it or not, these little reflections can pack a big punch.
Research from the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley suggests that a regular gratitude practice boosts mental health, especially in older adults. And who am I to argue with science?
We baby boomers grew up in a time when material success was often prized as the ultimate achievement.
But gradually, many of us have come to recognize that success in our 60s, 70s, and beyond has more to do with inner contentment than external trophies.
If you can open your eyes each morning, feel that wave of genuine appreciation, and breathe it in like fresh air—congratulations, you’re already miles ahead.
2. Stretching or moving gently
Next up is movement.
Now, I’m not saying you need to jump out of bed and train for a marathon.
But a quick round of gentle stretches, yoga poses, or even an easy walk around the block can do wonders for joints that tend to get stiffer as the years go by.
I used to tell my high school students—who’d complain they were “too tired” to do their morning exercises—that energy often comes after you move, not before.
The same idea holds true in retirement. It’s a paradox of the human body: movement generates energy.
For me, it’s a 10-minute routine that includes light neck rolls, shoulder circles, and bending side to side to wake up those stiff joints.
By prioritizing your body right at the start of the day, you’re signaling to yourself (and to everyone around you) that physical health and comfort are part of your measure of success.
And if that helps you keep up with your grandchildren or your garden later on—well, that’s just a bonus.
3. Nourishing yourself with a balanced breakfast
Bill Gates once said, “Most people overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in ten years.” Admittedly, he wasn’t talking about breakfast, but I find the spirit of that quote relevant.
Making small, consistent choices—like fueling your body well—adds up dramatically over the years.
A balanced morning meal doesn’t need to be elaborate.
Some days, I whip up oatmeal topped with fresh berries; on weekends, I might make veggie omelets.
The point is to treat breakfast like it matters, rather than grabbing a pastry and rushing through the day’s first meal.
I’ve also found the routine of cooking in the morning can bring a sense of purpose.
Whether you’re stirring a pot of oatmeal or slicing up a piece of fruit, you’re choosing to invest time in your well-being.
That simple, mindful act tells the world—and more importantly, tells you—that health isn’t negotiable.
4. Taking a few minutes for mindful reflection
Now, I’ll be the first to admit that meditation felt foreign to me when I was younger.
But as I’ve grown older, I’ve learned the value of pausing, even for just five minutes, to center myself.
Some folks pray, some journal, some follow guided meditations.
I personally keep a small notebook beside my armchair where I jot down a single intention for the day.
This ritual does more than just calm my busy mind. It’s a reminder that our lives, even after the hustle of careers and raising families, still hold rich purpose.
When we intentionally set a tone for the day—be it kindness, patience, or even productivity—we’re reclaiming a sense of agency.
And in my experience, that sense of choice is a big part of how we baby boomers are reshaping success.
It’s no longer about how many meetings we can squeeze into eight hours. It’s about crafting a life that reflects the values we hold dear.
By taking a moment to reflect, you’re prioritizing self-awareness over autopilot living.
5. Checking in with loved ones—or reaching out
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from volunteering in community literacy programs and attending local book clubs, it’s the power of connection.
We baby boomers have seen our share of technological leaps—from rotary phones to smartphones—and while the tech can be overwhelming, it’s also an incredible tool for staying in touch.
One of my favorite morning habits is to send a quick text or voice message to my sons or a close friend, just to say, “Good morning. Hope you have a wonderful day.”
This might seem small, but it’s a gentle way to keep our relationships vibrant.
Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Sending a kind thought, a warm hello, or a quick “How are you?” is like giving a little piece of your heart each morning.
Over time, these small acts of connection build the kind of support network that’s truly invaluable.
6. Engaging your mind with something new
I spent decades teaching English to teenagers, so you can imagine I’m a big advocate of lifelong learning.
One of the ways I feel “ahead” as I’ve reached my sixties is by constantly feeding my brain.
Whether it’s reading a few pages of a nonfiction book, learning a new word, or tackling a crossword puzzle, that mental spark is crucial.
Baby boomers, in particular, are showing the world that curiosity doesn’t vanish with retirement.
If anything, we’re more hungry than ever for fresh knowledge—be it tech skills, new recipes, or a historical biography we missed in our younger days.
These small morning moments of education—before life’s distractions set in—can keep your mind agile.
They also strengthen your sense of achievement in a phase of life that many people wrongly assume is about “slowing down.” Trust me, the only thing slowing down in my household is the clock when my grandkids are trying to postpone bedtime!
7. Planning your day around purpose, not just tasks
One of the biggest shifts I’ve noticed in my own retirement is that my to-do list looks different than it used to.
Gone are the days of staff meetings, grading papers, and after-school conferences.
Instead, I fill my schedule with volunteering, phone calls to old friends, and the occasional lunch date with fellow retirees.
The key to feeling “ahead” is to plan your day around what truly matters to you—however small or personal that might be.
For example, if you’ve decided your main purpose this year is to mentor younger folks in your community, a morning schedule might include preparing for a late-morning Zoom call with a mentee.
If your passion is gardening, maybe the first order of business after breakfast is checking on that new herb bed you planted.
Success in this later season of life isn’t just about checking boxes.
It’s about aligning those boxes with what lights you up inside. And if you can map that out in the morning, you’ll find you have more energy and drive to follow through the rest of the day.
8. Maintaining a spirit of adaptability (and fun)
Finally—but perhaps most importantly—a truly successful morning routine includes room for the unexpected.
If you’re anything like me, you know that life at 70 doesn’t magically become predictable.
I might wake up and find that Molly, my rescue dog, has decided her new favorite napping spot is my slipper!
Or I’ll discover a neighbor in need of a quick favor before I even sip my coffee.
What separates the baby boomers who thrive from those who feel “old” is often adaptability.
We’ve weathered recessions, social changes, technological revolutions—you name it.
Carrying that adaptable spirit into our mornings keeps us young at heart.
It reminds me of something I once read from Brené Brown: “Staying vulnerable is a risk we have to take if we want to experience connection.”
And vulnerability is often wrapped up in being flexible—acknowledging that any day can throw a curveball, and that’s okay.
By keeping a dash of humor, curiosity, and spontaneity in your morning, you stay open to life’s daily surprises.
And if at 70 you can smile at those surprises and handle them with grace, well, you’re definitely ahead of the pack.
