The older you get, the more you realize that age really is wisdom, and your elders have been right about a whole lot of things all along. Here are some of the “old person habits” that people have adopted and swear by, regardless of their age.
1.
“When you’re feeling down, go outside and look at the trees, the flowers, and the tweeting birds. Looking up appeases that down feeling.”
2.
“I swear by comfy shoes. I recently developed plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, and Achilles tendinitis. I only wear shoes that help me feel more comfortable no matter what they look like.”
3.
“Not drinking alcohol ever! I am so glad I don’t care about the social stigma anymore. It’s just not my thing, and that’s totally okay.”
—areyoukidding
4.
“Writing note cards and sending them to people instead of texting or emailing. I hand-write thank you’s, get well, words of encouragement, family life updates, praying for you, or thinking of you cards. Sometimes, I design my own cards instead of purchasing.”
5.
“I wash dishes while I am cooking. That way there aren’t so many things to clean after you are done eating.”
6.
“Saying no to the things or people that you don’t want to engage with! Be mindful of your time and resources, and focus on the people and things you want to focus on.”
—Elsa G
7.
“I’ve always carried a pill bottle in my purse for as long as I remember. I also always have hand lotion, chapstick, nail clippers & file, bandaids, hand sanitizer, and probably some other things I’m forgetting. I’ve always been the ‘mom’ of my friend group, ensuring I have the essentials if needed.”
8.
“Always have an actual book handy when traveling, should — God forbid — the grid goes down, your ebooks will only last as long as your battery. A tangible book will last forever.”
9.
“I avoid being out at rush hour during the week. No thank you to driving with many cars in manic traffic. I make sure I’m home by 3 p.m. so I can avoid the madness!”
10.
“My house is not “House Beautiful” anymore. It is filled with family photos, personal mementos, and items that have meaning to me. It is much cozier and meaningful when I look around. I love it this way!”
11.
“Snap, crackle, and pop might sound OK for a cereal brand, but not for your joints. I begin every morning with a stretching routine to loosen joints. I am constantly moving throughout the day, either taking a walk or listening to oldies but goodies, which always make me move and groove.”
—radmug678
12.
“I don’t need to stay in the loop about things that will anger me. I used to think it was my responsibility as a human to keep abreast of current events, political news, etc. It isn’t. I vote and I donate money to my causes, but I don’t get involved anymore. No news, no Facebook.”
13.
“Say something positive to two strangers every time I leave the house. It can be something as simple as ‘nice coat’ or ‘cute hairstyle.’ People enjoy having something nice said to them.”
—radghost6224
14.
“Pockets. I buy nothing without pockets. Why carry a purse crammed with stuff that weighs you down? I have a phone case with slots for essentials and keys that all go in my pockets and leave my hands free. Emergency items are in my car console.”
15.
“Doing yoga in bed in the morning! It’s warm and cozy, making for a gentler stretch, and makes it way easier to get out of bed.”
16.
“I like to joke that I’m on a grandma sleep schedule. Weekday, weekend, or vacation, it doesn’t matter. I’m usually in bed by nine and up by five.”
—creativecadet39
17.
“I make it my routine to start the day by making my bed in the morning before I leave my room. Somehow, my day is much more well-ordered!”
18.
“I buy some ready-made meals to put in the freezer for days I run out of energy to cook. This way, I always have dinner on hand.”
19.
“Staying home. My wife and I still like to have a drink, but we don’t like loud, overcrowded, expensive bars. So, during the pandemic, we bought a little home bar and kept it stocked with a bunch of liquor and mixers. We now prefer to have a couple of people over, and we make drinks. This way, you don’t have to yell over music to be heard, you can sit down, there’s no wait for drinks, and you don’t have to worry about anyone trying to hit on you or talk to you.”
20.
“Soaking my feet in warm water with Epsom salts after work. It’s wonderful for corns and callousses and deep relaxation.”
21.
“Day drinking. Do your errands before noon and leave the afternoon for a boozy lunch. A benefit is no difficulty getting up the next day.”
—Horse.geek
22.
“Getting up early enough to get ready and not have to rush through my morning. I can take my time and get to work on time without being frantic.”
23.
“Spending less time on appearance and more on self-care. I wear minimal or no makeup, I give myself time for my hair to air dry (no heating tools), and I wear clothes that I feel comfortable in. At the same time, I have a better diet and make sure I get enough exercise and sleep. I used to be an exercise maniac, but have learned that I can still be fit without going overboard. Doing things that I find enjoyable, like walking, gardening, landscaping, and even cooking, keeps me moving throughout the day. I still include some time for yoga and light weight-bearing exercises on days that the weather keeps me indoors.”
—Anonymous
24.
“Putting out bird feeders and watching the birds who frequent them. Keep your binoculars and bird book handy. I’d like to know all the birds’ names and seasons before retiring!”
25.
“Going to bed as early as I want. Friends make fun of me, but no one is sleeping as well as I am.”
26.
“As soon as I get home, I take off my bra and my shoes. My grandmother never wore bras at home, and I couldn’t understand why when I was young. Now I do. It’s so much more comfortable!”
Do you have something to add? What habit popular among older people have you adopted and now embrace? Tell us in the comments or in this anonymous form.
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