There’s something magnetic about people in their 70s and beyond who seem to glow from the inside out. You know the ones—still curious, still open-hearted, still laughing like they’ve cracked some kind of secret code.
And maybe they have.
Because staying youthful after 70 has very little to do with wrinkle creams or trendy diets. It’s more about attitude—what you hold onto, and maybe even more importantly, what you let go of.
If your goal is to remain vibrant, spirited, and mentally alive as you age, here are 9 behaviors to say goodbye to. Not because you have to—but because letting go might just give you back a sense of freedom you didn’t realize you lost.
1. Complaining about “the good old days”
Nostalgia has its place. Remembering the past fondly can be a beautiful thing. But getting stuck in the belief that everything was better “back then” slowly robs you of the richness of now.
People who stay youthful don’t live in reverse. They appreciate the past, but they’re still deeply invested in the present—and curious about the future.
Instead of saying, “Things aren’t like they used to be,” ask yourself, “What can I still discover today?” That shift in mindset is subtle but powerful.
2. Withdrawing from younger generations
Aging can make you feel invisible if you let it—but isolating yourself from younger people only makes that worse.
The truth is, intergenerational relationships are one of the best-kept secrets to staying mentally and emotionally sharp. Whether it’s your grandchildren, the barista down the street, or a young neighbor who wants to chat—stay open.
Listen to their music. Ask about their views. Teach what you know, but also let yourself learn. That openness is a hallmark of people who stay young at heart.
3. Saying “I’m too old for that”
Few phrases age you faster than this one. When you declare you’re too old to try something, what you’re really saying is, “I’ve stopped being willing to grow.”
Youthfulness is fueled by experimentation. You don’t have to take up skateboarding (unless you want to), but maybe you try a new dish, start a beginner’s yoga class, or even join a writing group.
Staying youthful isn’t about pretending you’re 30. It’s about staying open to life’s invitations—at any age.
4. Letting fear dictate your choices
Fear can become louder as we age. Fear of injury. Fear of decline. Fear of loss. And while some caution is wise, letting fear dictate your choices shrinks your world.
There’s a quiet boldness in people who age well. They don’t ignore risk, but they don’t let it paralyze them either.
If you want to stay youthful, practice doing small things that make you nervous—whether it’s starting a conversation with a stranger or booking that solo trip you’ve always dreamed of. The courage doesn’t have to be loud. It just has to be real.
5. Refusing to update your beliefs
Staying youthful isn’t just about trying new things. It’s about being willing to challenge old ideas.
Maybe you used to believe success looked a certain way. Or that people shouldn’t cry in public. Or that therapy was only for “those” people.
The wisest, youngest souls I’ve met in their 70s, 80s, and 90s are the ones who said: “I used to think that—but I see it differently now.”
Flexibility of mind is one of the clearest signs of inner vitality.
6. Neglecting your physical body
Let’s be honest—none of us get to skip the aging process. But there’s a big difference between aging and decaying.
Your body doesn’t have to look the way it did at 40 to feel good. But it does require your attention. Movement, hydration, rest, sunlight, stretching—these are the basics of honoring your body.
One woman I know in her late 70s starts every morning with 10 minutes of dancing. Not because she has to. Because it reminds her that she’s still alive—and still free.
That’s the spirit.
7. Dwelling on regrets
We all have regrets. That’s part of being human. But if you spend too much time replaying the past, you risk missing the beauty of what’s still ahead.
People who radiate youthfulness have made peace with their past. Not because everything went right, but because they’ve chosen not to let what went wrong define them.
They’ve forgiven themselves. They’ve stopped trying to rewrite history. And they’ve turned their attention to what’s still possible.
That shift in focus is one of the most rejuvenating choices you can make.
8. Only spending time with people your age
There’s something comforting about being around people who “get” you. But when your circle becomes an echo chamber of same-age, same-viewpoint conversations, you lose the spark that comes from new perspectives.
Some of the most youthful people I know have friend groups that include everyone from 20-something creatives to 80-something gardeners. They don’t limit their social world—they expand it.
Every age group brings something valuable to the table. Staying young in spirit often means sitting at a bigger table.
9. Thinking you’ve already lived your “main” story
This is perhaps the most important one.
Too many people hit a certain age and unconsciously decide their story is over. That the best parts of their life are behind them. That they’re just waiting for the credits to roll.
But life doesn’t work that way—unless you decide it does.
As long as you’re here, your story is still unfolding. Maybe it’s not the dramatic, career-climbing, child-raising chapter. Maybe it’s a quieter one—full of meaning, contribution, creativity, and self-discovery.
The people who age with grace know this: the main character energy never disappears. It simply evolves.
Final thoughts: Youth is not a number—it’s a mindset
You can’t stop the years from passing, and you shouldn’t want to. Every decade brings its own kind of beauty, its own kind of wisdom.
But if you want to stay youthful in spirit, that’s a choice you get to make every day.
Let go of the behaviors that shrink your world. Keep saying yes to the things that make your eyes light up. And most of all—stay curious. Stay kind. Stay open.
Because age is inevitable. But feeling fully alive? That’s up to you.
