If you're over 70 and still genuinely excited about these 10 simple things, you've mastered the art of happiness

Life has a funny way of teaching us what really matters. Last week, I watched a woman in her seventies at the farmers' market where I volunteer. She was examining tomatoes with the kind of focus and delight you'd expect from someone discovering treasure. When she found the perfect one, her face lit up. That genuine joy over something so simple stuck with me.

We spend so much of our lives chasing big moments, don't we? The promotions, the milestones, the achievements. But what if true happiness isn't about the grand gestures at all? What if it's about maintaining that childlike excitement for life's simplest pleasures, especially as we age?

After years of observing and writing about human behavior, I've noticed that the happiest older adults share something special: they still get genuinely excited about everyday things that many of us take for granted. If you're over 70 and these simple joys still light you up, you've probably cracked the code to lasting happiness.

1. A perfect cup of morning coffee

You know that first sip of coffee in the morning? The one that seems to wake up not just your body but your soul? If you're still savoring that moment decades into your coffee-drinking life, you understand something profound about presence and gratitude.

I think about this during my early morning runs. There's something about that pre-dawn quiet, knowing that soon I'll be back home with my hands wrapped around a warm mug. The happiest seniors I know treat their morning coffee like a daily celebration, not just a caffeine fix. They've learned that ritual and appreciation can transform the ordinary into something special.

2. Getting mail that isn't bills

Remember when checking the mailbox was exciting? In our digital age, physical mail has become mostly mundane. Bills, advertisements, maybe a catalog you didn't ask for. But those who've mastered happiness still get that little thrill when a handwritten envelope appears.

My neighbor, who must be pushing 80, practically skips to her mailbox every afternoon. She told me once that even a simple postcard makes her day. She's onto something. Finding joy in unexpected connection, in the tangible proof that someone thought of you enough to find a stamp? That's happiness wisdom.

3. The first flowers of spring

If you've lived through 70-plus springs and still feel that surge of excitement when the first crocus pushes through the snow, you've maintained something precious: wonder.

Working in my garden, I've learned that anticipation is half the joy. The happiest older adults I know mark the seasons not with dread about another year passing, but with genuine excitement about nature's reliable miracles. They remember that after every winter comes spring, and that cycle itself is worth celebrating.

4. A phone call from an old friend

In our text-heavy world, actual phone calls have become rare. But for those who've mastered happiness, hearing a familiar voice on the other end of the line remains one of life's sweetest surprises.

Think about it: someone took time from their day to dial your number, to have a real conversation. If that still makes your heart sing after seven decades, you understand that connection matters more than convenience. You know that voices carry warmth that texts never can.

5. Finding the perfect parking spot

This might sound silly, but stick with me. You pull into a crowded lot, and there it is: a spot right up front, as if it was waiting just for you. If this tiny victory still makes you smile, you've learned to celebrate small wins.

The happiest seniors I know take these moments as little winks from the universe. They don't brush off good fortune, no matter how minor. They've discovered that acknowledging small pleasures throughout the day creates a pattern of positivity that adds up to genuine contentment.

6. A really good stretch in the morning

You wake up, extend your arms above your head, point your toes, and feel your whole body wake up. If this simple act still feels delicious after all these years, you've maintained a connection to your physical self that many people lose.

During my Sunday morning long runs, which have become my meditation time, I often think about how movement is a privilege. Those who find joy in a simple stretch understand that their body is still capable, still responding, still alive. That's worth getting excited about.

7. Discovering a new favorite song

Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks? If you're over 70 and still get excited when you hear a song that speaks to you, whether it's classical, jazz, or even something contemporary, you've kept your mind open and your heart young.

Music has this incredible ability to make us feel understood, to transport us, to make us move. Maintaining enthusiasm for new music means you haven't closed yourself off to new experiences. You're still growing, still discovering, still surprising yourself.

8. The smell of dinner cooking

I cook from scratch most nights, finding it meditative after a day of writing. There's something about the smell of onions sautéing, bread baking, or soup simmering that signals comfort and home.

If you're still genuinely excited by the aroma of a home-cooked meal, you appreciate the art of nourishment. You understand that food is more than fuel. It's creativity, tradition, love, and anticipation all rolled into one sensory experience.

9. Finishing a good book

That bittersweet moment when you close a book after the last page. Part satisfaction, part sadness that the journey is over. If this still moves you after decades of reading, you've maintained your capacity for imagination and empathy.

Every evening, before I write in my gratitude journal (something I was skeptical about at first but now find grounding), I read. The happiest older adults I know are still voracious readers. They know that every book is a new adventure, a chance to learn, to escape, to understand someone else's perspective.

10. Watching the sunset

Yes, you've seen thousands of them. But if sunset number 25,000-something still makes you pause and watch, you've figured out something essential about happiness.

Nature's daily grand finale costs nothing and asks nothing of us except our attention. Those who still get excited about sunsets understand that beauty doesn't get old. They know that some experiences are worth repeating endlessly because each one is unique, even if the formula is the same.

The bottom line

Here's what I've learned from the happiest older adults I know: mastering happiness isn't about finding new and bigger thrills. It's about maintaining our capacity for wonder at the things that surround us every day.

If you're over 70 and these simple things still genuinely excite you, you haven't just aged well. You've learned that happiness isn't a destination you reach but a way of traveling. You've discovered that joy doesn't require novelty, wealth, or perfect circumstances. It just requires an open heart and the wisdom to recognize magic in the mundane.

The woman at the farmers' market with her perfect tomato? She gets it. And if you're still finding excitement in life's simple pleasures, so do you.