If you can still get these 9 things done in your 70s, you’re a rare gem of a person

Let’s be real: most people don’t age like fine wine.

They slow down. They shrink back. They start watching the world more than they participate in it.

But then there are the outliers. The ones who still show up—fully.

They’re not trying to be 25 again. They’re just living with depth, focus, and a kind of steady vitality that doesn’t fade with age.

If you’re still doing some of the following in your 70s, you’re not just aging well—you’re becoming the kind of person people admire quietly, deeply, and often.

Here’s what that looks like.

1. You keep showing up for yourself—mentally and physically

Most people give up the second their knees creak or their motivation dips.

But if you’re still moving your body regularly, even if it’s walking or light stretching or gardening—you’ve held on to something important.

You’re not chasing fitness. You’re practicing commitment.

And if you’re still engaging your brain—reading, learning, staying curious—that’s a sign you never put yourself on autopilot.

Rare doesn’t mean flawless. It means present. Especially with yourself.

2. You stay in touch with people without needing to be reminded

You don’t wait for birthdays or holidays to check in.

You send the text. You call just because. You show up when it matters.

That kind of proactive care is a lost art. Most people get more self-centered with age. But you’ve stayed outward-facing. Tapped in.

Being a consistent thread in someone’s life—especially when the world moves fast—is rarer than we admit.

3. You learn new things for the joy of it

You’re not trying to prove anything. You just like learning.

Whether it’s a new language, an app, a hobby, or a random podcast series on ancient history—you haven’t lost that spark.

And that curiosity keeps you vibrant.

The older we get, the easier it is to live in the past. But you? You’re still asking questions about the future.

That’s not common. That’s extraordinary.

My partner’s uncle is 73 and recently signed up for a beginner’s digital art class. Not because he had some grand goal to become a designer—but because, as he put it, “I’ve been drawing with pencils my whole life. Why not try an iPad?”

Watching him figure out layers and brushes with the excitement of a teenager reminded me that curiosity isn’t about age—it’s about aliveness. He still sends me his rough sketches. Some are shaky. Some are really good. But every one of them says: “I’m still learning. I’m still here.”

4. You can still sit with discomfort without shutting down

This is a quiet one.

Most people become more rigid with age. Less open to change. Less willing to hear new opinions or admit when they’re wrong.

But if you can still listen—even when it stings—then you’ve held onto one of the rarest skills: emotional openness.

It doesn’t mean you agree with everything. It means you’re not afraid of growth.

That makes you rare in any generation.

5. You maintain your independence—but know when to ask for help

Some people go into full denial mode as they age. Others give up too early and retreat.

You’re different.

You take pride in doing what you can on your own. But you’re not above leaning on others when you need to. You know that strength isn’t control—it’s discernment.

There’s something quietly powerful about people who know how to balance self-sufficiency with community.

You’ve figured that out. Most never do.

6. You still make plans—and follow through

Whether it’s a lunch date, a trip, or just a walk at 8 a.m., you still put things on your calendar and show up.

That may not sound impressive. But in your 70s? With energy dips, aches, unexpected appointments, and the pull of comfort? It’s rare.

It shows you haven’t surrendered to routine. You’re still building a life worth waking up for.

That kind of consistency makes you magnetic to be around.

7. You take care of things before they become a problem

You don’t let the dishes pile up. You notice when the faucet starts to leak. You book the check-up, restock the vitamins, update the password.

These may sound small, but they signal something huge: self-respect.

People who still stay on top of life’s details aren’t just organized—they’re invested. In themselves. In their homes. In staying ready.

And at a time when most people let things slide? That’s remarkable.

8. You haven’t lost your sense of humor

You still laugh. Sometimes at yourself. Sometimes at the absurdity of life.

You can still crack a dry one-liner, smile at chaos, and lighten the room just by being in it.

That doesn’t happen by accident. That’s the result of resilience. Of having seen enough to know that panic rarely helps—but presence does.

People who age with a sense of humor age with grace.

And you’ve still got it.

9. You can enjoy your own company

This one’s massive.

A lot of people spend their older years trying to fill space—with noise, with people, with distractions.

But if you can sit on your porch, drink your coffee, go for a walk, or spend a day solo without needing to escape yourself?

That’s a deep kind of peace.

You’ve built a relationship with yourself that feels settled. And people who can enjoy their own company tend to be the ones others feel safest around, too.

Final thoughts

Most people slow down with age—and that’s okay.

But the ones who keep showing up—to learn, to care, to move, to stay curious—are rare.

If you’re still doing these things in your 70s, it’s not about being better than anyone. It’s about being fully alive while so many others are quietly checking out.

And that? That makes you a gem. Not just for your age. But for any age.

Keep going. We notice.