Most people think of their 70s as a time to slow down—but what if it could be your most rewarding decade yet?
The truth is, how fulfilling these years are depends less on circumstances and more on mindset. And sometimes, the things holding us back aren’t obvious.
There are certain habits and behaviors that, over time, drain our energy, limit our potential, and keep us from experiencing life to the fullest. Letting go of them isn’t always easy, but it’s worth it.
If you want your 70s to be a time of growth, purpose, and joy, it’s time to say goodbye to these seven behaviors.
1) Holding onto regret
Regret is a heavy burden to carry, and by the time you reach your 70s, you’ve likely accumulated your fair share of it. But if you want this decade to be fulfilling, it’s time to let it go.
We all have things we wish we had done differently—missed opportunities, mistakes, or words left unsaid. But dwelling on the past won’t change it. What it will do is steal your energy from the present and future.
Instead of focusing on what you can’t change, shift your attention to what you can do now. Make amends where possible, learn from your experiences, and move forward with purpose.
Your best years aren’t behind you—they’re still yours to shape.
2) Letting fear make your decisions
For too many years, I let fear hold me back. I told myself I was being cautious, but really, I was just avoiding discomfort.
I remember when I first thought about taking a solo trip in my 30s. I had always wanted to explore Europe, but the idea of traveling alone at my age felt intimidating. What if something went wrong? What if I got lost? What if I just looked foolish?
So I put it off—again and again—until one day, I realized something: the only thing standing between me and that experience was me.
I finally booked the trip, and it was one of the best decisions of my life. Not because everything went perfectly (it didn’t), but because I proved to myself that I was capable of more than I thought.
Fear will always be there, whispering reasons to stay where it’s safe. But if you let it make your decisions, you’ll miss out on so much life still waiting to be lived.
3) Saying “I’m too old”
Nothing limits your potential faster than believing you’re too old to try something new. The truth is, age is far less of a barrier than most people think.
Did you know that Colonel Sanders didn’t start KFC until he was 65? Laura Ingalls Wilder didn’t publish her first Little House book until she was in her 60s. And Fauja Singh ran a marathon at 100 years old.
Your 70s aren’t a time to shrink your world—they’re a chance to expand it. Whether it’s learning a new skill, starting a passion project, or making a big life change, the only thing truly stopping you is the belief that it’s too late.
Drop the excuse. There’s still time to do things that excite you.
4) Surrounding yourself with negativity
The people you spend time with have a bigger impact on your happiness than you might realize. If you’re constantly around negativity—whether it’s complaining, pessimism, or endless criticism—it will drain your energy and outlook on life.
This doesn’t mean you have to cut people out completely, but it does mean being mindful of what you allow into your space.
Conversations filled with gratitude, curiosity, and encouragement will leave you feeling uplifted. The opposite will do nothing but wear you down.
Your 70s should be about enjoying life, not getting stuck in cycles of frustration or resentment. Choose to spend time with those who inspire you, challenge you in a positive way, and make life feel lighter—not heavier.
5) Ignoring your health until there’s a problem
For years, I told myself I felt fine. Sure, I was a little more tired than usual. A little stiffer in the mornings. But that was just part of getting older, right?
I pushed off doctor’s appointments. I skipped the daily walks I said I’d start. I figured as long as nothing was seriously wrong, there was nothing to worry about.
Then one day, my body made the decision for me. A health scare forced me to take a hard look at how I had been treating myself—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too.
Taking care of yourself isn’t just about avoiding illness; it’s about making sure you feel strong, energized, and capable of living fully. Your body is carrying you through this life—don’t wait until it struggles to start treating it well.
6) Holding onto grudges
By the time you reach your 70s, you’ve probably been hurt a few times. People have let you down, said the wrong thing, or failed to show up when you needed them.
And if you’re not careful, those wounds can turn into grudges that weigh you down more than you realize.
The problem with holding onto anger is that it doesn’t punish the other person—it punishes you. It keeps you stuck in the past, reliving old pain instead of making space for joy, connection, and peace.
Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting or excusing bad behavior. It simply means deciding that your happiness is more important than holding onto resentment. Let go of what’s been dragging you down, and move forward with a lighter heart.
7) Believing your best days are behind you
It’s easy to look back and think the most exciting, meaningful, or joyful moments of life have already happened.
But that belief is a choice—and it’s one that shapes everything about how you experience the years ahead.
There are still new experiences waiting for you. New friendships to form, new skills to learn, new passions to discover. There are still moments of laughter, love, and purpose ahead—but only if you stay open to them.
The past may have been wonderful, but it doesn’t have to be the peak. The life you build in your 70s can be just as rich, meaningful, and fulfilling as any decade before—if you let it.
Bottom line: the future is still yours
Our mindset shapes our reality, and the way we approach our 70s can determine whether they become years of fulfillment or limitation.
Research shows that people who view aging positively tend to live longer—up to 7.5 years longer, according to a study from Yale University. More importantly, they also report greater happiness, better health, and a stronger sense of purpose.
Letting go of limiting behaviors isn’t just about making life easier—it’s about making room for what truly matters. Growth doesn’t stop because of a number. Joy doesn’t expire with age.
The future is still yours to embrace, shape, and fill with whatever brings you meaning.
