While some worries might make sense before you’re 70, there’s something about the big 7-0 that stops you from caring about them completely.Â
A quick look and then nothing
It doesn’t matter how loud your shirt is, or that your shoes are practical instead of stylish, it’s really no big deal, because, after 70, strangers don’t get much of a vote anymore. Older adults care a lot more about meaningful relationships than approval from any outsiders.
It makes sense. You don’t have time for a stranger’s two-second opinion, and it feels so much nicer wearing what you want to wear instead. Dress for comfort, dress for the weather, but most importantly, dress for yourself because that’s the only opinion that matters.Â
The birthday math gets boring
You look young for your age is a great compliment before you’re 70, but then it stops being the ultimate prize. That’s not to say 70-year-olds try to look old, definitely not, they just know that it’s not that important to look young anymore.
Skin changes, hair changes, posture changes, none of that is going to make your life worth any less. 70-year-olds know that chasing their youth wastes more time than it’s worth, and for them, being well-rested is more important. Liking yourself has a much greater value.
When yes starts costing too much
Let’s get one thing straight, family love is real, nobody’s denying that. 70-year-olds definitely love their families. It’s just that they also recognize the reality of family pressure, true, and how saying yes to every single thing isn’t worth it.
They’d rather have smaller and better social circles because that way, they can focus on the relationships that actually matter to them. You know, the ones leaving them fulfilled, not the ones that involve trying to keep every single family member happy.
Dust can wait its turn
Keeping your house clean is one thing. Keeping your house clean like company could come over at any moment is another. You stop caring so much about the second one once you turn 70 because you realize that, actually, clear walkways and good lighting are way more important.
It’s not like 70-year-olds let their houses get dirty, they do still clean, obviously. They’re simply not as concerned about a mug in the sink or a newspaper on the chair as they are about clutter that could become a trip hazard. A clean house has nothing on a safe house.
Polite distance does plenty
Keeping a polite distance from people you don’t like is actually kind of freeing, believe it or not, and people over 70 understand that. They recognize that, no, they don’t need to spend their good hours with people who suck the life out of the room.Â
They’re happy to be more selective. Not in a rude way or anything, being 70 doesn’t give you a pass for being impolite, it just means not giving as many fake laughs or visits with people you don’t enjoy. Someone you don’t want to speak to rings you? You don’t answer, simple as that.
The closet has opinions
Stuff, stuff, stuff. Turning 70 makes you understand that owning more stuff isn’t a sign of success, and it’s more like a sign of chaos. You’re better off keeping the useful things, the favorite things, the stuff with actual memories, not just any random clutter.
There’s no point holding onto broken or old possessions because someone might want them someday. Newsflash, that’s not going to happen, and 70-year-olds are done with caring about buying or saving everything. They use it, or they scrap it.
The calendar calms down
There was a time when being busy sounded impressive, it’s usually the time before you turn 70. You tell yourself that being swamped means being productive, and not having a jam-packed schedule means you’re lazy. Not anymore, though.
70-year-olds see busyness for what it often is, poor scheduling or simple bad luck. They still try to be active, of course they do, but they just recognize that being active doesn’t have to involve being booked solid with no wiggle room. It’s kind of liberating.
That person from before
The old version of you is exactly that, the old version, no point in trying to be that person again. People understand that better than ever when they turn 70, and they’re done with trying to live up to a version of themselves that doesn’t exist anymore.
It doesn’t mean they have to hate their old version of themselves. It just involves recognizing that that version of you doesn’t call the shots anymore, and isn’t someone worth trying to copy. 70-year-olds live their lives as they are now.Â
A smaller table works
Who doesn’t like being liked? 70-year-olds sure do, but they also understand there’s no point in trying to be liked by everyone. So they don’t bother with it. They don’t care. The only opinions that matter to 70-year-olds come from people they actually care about instead.
That makes being liked feel like it’s actually worth something, like there’s an actual value to it. 70-year-olds won’t waste their time trying to please their neighbors or people on social media, because really, what’s the point?Â
No stamp is coming
You might be surprised to know that turning 70 means you stop waiting for life to approve of having fun. You quit waiting for permission to enjoy yourself. You want to order the cake? Do it. Fancy taking a trip? No point waiting around for it.Â
Turning 70 makes you stop waiting for life to allow you to do what you want, and you just do it, funnily enough. You’ve got no idea how many years you’ve got left, so you might as well have fun now.
Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.
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