If you're over 70 and still curious about the world, psychology says you've kept these 8 youthful traits

My neighbor is 76 years old and one of the most interesting people I know.

She's learning Spanish on an app. She takes online courses about history and art. She travels whenever she can. She asks more questions than anyone I've met.

When I compare her to other people her age, the difference is striking. While some have settled into routine and stopped engaging with new things, she's as curious and vibrant as someone half her age.

And it's not just energy levels or health. There's something about the way she approaches life that feels fundamentally youthful.

Psychology research shows that people who maintain curiosity and engagement as they age share certain traits. These aren't about physical appearance or trying to act younger than you are.

They're about keeping your mind and spirit open to life, regardless of what year you were born.

If you're over 70 and still curious about the world, you've probably maintained these youthful traits.

1. You're still learning new things

The most obvious sign is continued learning.

People who stay mentally young don't stop acquiring new knowledge or skills just because they're retired or reached a certain age.

My neighbor is learning Spanish, but I know others learning to paint, taking up musical instruments, studying subjects they never had time for during their working years.

Research on cognitive aging shows that continuing to learn throughout life is associated with better cognitive function and a sense of vitality. People who challenge their brains with new information and skills maintain sharper minds.

But it's more than just brain health. Learning keeps you engaged with life. It gives you something to look forward to. It reminds you that you're still capable of growth and change.

People who've lost this curiosity often say things like "I'm too old to learn that" or "what's the point at my age?"

But people who've kept this youthful trait genuinely enjoy the process of learning, regardless of whether it serves a practical purpose.

2. You ask questions rather than assuming you know everything

This is a big one I've noticed across curious older people.

They ask questions. They're interested in other people's perspectives. They don't assume they've already figured everything out.

My neighbor asks me about my work, my travels, my opinions on things. She's genuinely curious about how younger people see the world, even when our perspectives differ from hers.

Meanwhile, I know other older people who've stopped asking questions. They've formed their opinions and aren't interested in new information that might challenge them.

The youthful trait is maintaining intellectual humility. Recognizing that there's always more to learn, no matter how much experience you've accumulated.

This keeps conversations interesting. It keeps relationships dynamic. And it keeps your mind flexible rather than rigid.

3. You're open to changing your mind

Related to asking questions is the willingness to actually change your mind based on new information.

I've watched my neighbor shift her opinions on various topics over the years as she's learned more or had new experiences.

She's not wishy-washy. But she's also not stubbornly attached to being right. If evidence or a compelling argument suggests a different perspective, she's willing to reconsider.

This is increasingly rare as people age. Many become more rigid in their thinking, more convinced they're right, less open to different viewpoints.

But maintaining this flexibility is a hallmark of youthful thinking. Children and young people are constantly revising their understanding of the world as they learn.

People who stay curious maintain that adaptability even in their 70s and beyond.

4. You try new experiences

Curiosity isn't just intellectual. It's also about being willing to try new things experientially.

People who've kept this youthful trait don't stick rigidly to routine. They're willing to try new foods, visit new places, engage in new activities.

My neighbor went on her first cruise at 73. She tried Thai food for the first time at 75. She recently joined a book club that's completely different from her usual social circle.

These might seem like small things, but they represent a fundamental openness to experience that many people lose as they age.

It would be easier and more comfortable to stick with familiar routines, familiar foods, familiar activities. But that comfort comes at the cost of continued growth and engagement.

 Studies on personality and aging show that openness to experience, one of the Big Five personality traits, tends to decline with age. But people who maintain this trait report higher life satisfaction and cognitive functioning.

5. You engage with technology

This is a practical manifestation of curiosity and openness.

People over 70 who've stayed mentally young typically aren't afraid of technology. They learn to use smartphones, video calls, social media, or whatever tools help them stay connected and informed.

My neighbor uses WhatsApp to chat with her grandchildren abroad. She watches YouTube videos to learn new skills. She uses apps for language learning and meditation.

She's not a tech expert, but she's willing to learn what she needs to stay engaged with the modern world.

Meanwhile, some of her peers have completely rejected technology, insisting they don't need it or can't learn it. That rejection often stems from fear or rigidity rather than actual inability.

Staying current with basic technology isn't about being trendy. It's about maintaining connection with the world and continuing to access information and experiences.

6. You're interested in other generations

Here's something I've noticed about curious older people. They're genuinely interested in younger generations.

Not in a judgmental "young people these days" way. But with real curiosity about how younger people think, what they value, how they see the world.

My neighbor asks about my generation's perspectives on work, relationships, technology. She wants to understand why we do things differently, not just complain that it's not how she did things.

This cross-generational curiosity keeps you connected to the world as it evolves. It prevents you from becoming stuck in the past or dismissive of change.

People who've lost this trait often retreat into nostalgia, constantly comparing everything unfavorably to how things used to be.

But maintaining curiosity about how the world is changing, including how younger people are navigating it, keeps you engaged with life as it actually is, not just as you remember it.

7. You have a sense of humor about aging

This might seem unrelated to curiosity, but I've found they often go together.

People who stay mentally young tend to have a good sense of humor about aging. They can laugh at themselves, at the absurdities of getting older, without bitterness.

My neighbor makes jokes about forgetting things or needing more naps. But she does it with lightness, not resentment.

Research on humor and aging suggests that maintaining a sense of humor, particularly the ability to find humor in life's challenges, is associated with better psychological well-being in older adults.

People who've become bitter or rigid about aging often take themselves very seriously. They're offended by aging jokes or references to being old.

But the youthful trait is being able to laugh at yourself and the aging process while still fully engaging with life.

8. You maintain hope and optimism

Finally, people over 70 who've stayed curious tend to maintain a fundamentally hopeful outlook.

They're not naive about problems or challenges. But they believe things can improve, that positive change is possible, that tomorrow might bring something interesting.

My neighbor follows current events and isn't blind to problems in the world. But she maintains hope that things can get better. She supports causes she believes in. She believes her actions, even small ones, matter.

This hope keeps you engaged. If you believe everything is terrible and getting worse, why bother staying curious about the world?

But if you maintain hope that things can improve, that there are still interesting developments ahead, that life has more to offer, you naturally stay more curious and engaged.

It's not about denying reality. It's about choosing to remain open to positive possibilities rather than closing yourself off in cynicism or despair.

Final thoughts

Watching my neighbor and other curious older people has taught me something important.

Staying mentally and spiritually young isn't about denying your age or trying to be someone you're not.

It's about maintaining the qualities that make life interesting at any age. Curiosity. Openness. Willingness to learn and grow. Engagement with the world as it changes.

These traits don't depend on physical health or energy levels. They're about how you approach life mentally and emotionally.

I've met 40-year-olds who've already closed themselves off to new experiences and different perspectives. And I've met 80-year-olds who are more vibrant and engaged than people half their age.

The difference isn't age. It's whether you've maintained these youthful traits of curiosity and openness.

If you're over 70 and still learning, still asking questions, still trying new things, you've managed to keep something precious that many people lose much younger.

That continued engagement with life is what keeps people truly young, regardless of how many years they've lived.