I remember when my neighbor Bob told me at our weekly poker game that he felt like he was “winding down” now that he’d hit 73. The way he said it, you’d think his life was practically over.

But here’s what I’ve learned after spending a few years in my seventies myself: the people who thrive in this decade aren’t necessarily the healthiest or the wealthiest. They’re the ones who’ve maintained something deeper, something I can only describe as a once-in-a-lifetime soul.

These folks have a certain quality that sets them apart. They’re engaged with life in a way that’s beautiful to witness. And after watching friends, family, and folks at my community center, I’ve noticed they tend to share some key abilities.

Let me share what I’ve observed.

1) You still embrace new experiences

I started learning Spanish at 61, and I’ll be honest, my brain doesn’t absorb vocabulary the way it used to. But that hasn’t stopped me.

People with that special quality don’t let age become an excuse to stop trying new things. They take classes, travel to places they’ve never been, try foods that sound strange, or pick up hobbies they’ve always been curious about.

The key isn’t being good at everything. It’s staying curious and willing to be a beginner again.

When you see someone in their seventies eagerly learning about something new, whether it’s technology, cooking, or a foreign language, you’re seeing someone whose soul hasn’t retired even if their body has slowed down a bit.

2) You maintain meaningful connections

After I retired from my insurance job, I lost touch with many colleagues. That’s normal. What separates people with vibrant souls is that they’ve intentionally built and maintained connections that matter.

These aren’t necessarily huge social circles. Sometimes it’s just a few close friends, regular calls with grandchildren, or meaningful conversations with a spouse or partner.

Every Wednesday, my wife and I have our standing coffee date at the local café. It’s nothing fancy, but it’s ours. We talk, we listen, we connect.

Research consistently shows that strong relationships contribute to both happiness and longevity. But beyond the health benefits, genuine connection reminds us we’re part of something larger than ourselves.

If you’re still investing in your relationships in your seventies, making time for the people who matter, you’ve got something special.

3) You move your body regularly

Every morning at 6:30, rain or shine, Lottie and I head out for our walk. She’s my golden retriever, and honestly, she’s probably the main reason I keep this habit.

Physical activity in your seventies isn’t about running marathons or lifting heavy weights. It’s about staying mobile, maintaining independence, and keeping your body functional.

People with that once-in-a-lifetime quality understand this. They walk, they garden, they swim, they do yoga, or they simply move through their day with intention.

Studies show that regular exercise can help maintain muscle tone, reduce fall risk, and even support cognitive function. But more importantly, it keeps you engaged with the world around you.

When I see someone my age taking stairs instead of always choosing the elevator, or walking to the store instead of driving, I recognize a kindred spirit.

4) You’ve maintained your sense of purpose

This one’s huge.

I went through a rough patch after retiring. For 35 years, I’d been someone who went to an office, solved problems, and contributed. Then suddenly, I wasn’t.

The people who flourish in their seventies have found new sources of meaning. Maybe they volunteer, mentor younger folks, care for grandchildren, work on creative projects, or advocate for causes they believe in.

I found mine in writing. Every evening, I spend time at my laptop, sharing what I’ve learned over the years. It gives me a reason to get up in the morning beyond just passing time.

Purpose doesn’t have to be grand. It just needs to be yours.

5) You’re still willing to be vulnerable

My marriage hit a rough patch in my forties. We went to counseling, and I had to learn to actually share what I was feeling instead of just shutting down.

That lesson stuck with me.

People with profound souls in their seventies haven’t armored themselves against the world. They’re still willing to be open, to share their struggles, to admit when they’re scared or sad or uncertain.

There’s this idea that by our seventies, we should have everything figured out. But the truth is, life keeps throwing curveballs regardless of your age.

The most remarkable people I know in this decade can say “I don’t know” or “I’m struggling” without shame. They’ve realized that vulnerability isn’t weakness but courage.

6) You accept your limitations without surrendering

I had knee surgery at 61. My back acts up more than it used to. I wear reading glasses and occasionally have to ask people to repeat themselves.

These things are frustrating, but they’re also just reality.

What distinguishes people with that special quality is how they respond to physical limitations. They don’t pretend nothing has changed, but they also don’t use age as an excuse to give up entirely.

They find workarounds. They ask for help when needed. They adapt.

When I can’t do something the way I used to, I either find a new way or I gracefully let it go and focus my energy elsewhere. That’s not defeat. That’s wisdom.

7) You contribute to others

Every Tuesday, I volunteer at the local literacy center teaching adults to read. It’s humbling work that reminds me how fortunate I’ve been.

The people who seem most alive in their seventies have found ways to give back. Not because they have to, but because contributing to something beyond themselves feeds their soul.

This might look like volunteering, helping neighbors, mentoring, donating, or simply being the person family members know they can count on.

I’ve mentioned this before, but one of the longest-running studies on happiness shows that people who help others tend to be happier themselves. There’s something fundamentally human about contributing.

If you’re still finding ways to make other people’s lives a little easier or better, you’ve got that special spark.

8) You’ve made peace with your story

I wasn’t the perfect father. I missed too many school plays and soccer games because of work. That’s something I deeply regret.

But I’ve also learned that beating myself up about it doesn’t change anything. All I can do is be a better grandfather and share what I’ve learned.

People with once-in-a-lifetime souls in their seventies have done the hard work of accepting their past, including the parts they wish had gone differently. They’ve forgiven themselves and others.

This doesn’t mean they have no regrets. It means they’re not consumed by them.

I recently read Rudá Iandê’s book “Laughing in the Face of Chaos,” and one passage really struck me: “Being human means inevitably disappointing and hurting others, and the sooner you accept this reality, the easier it becomes to navigate life’s challenges.”

That acceptance, that willingness to see yourself clearly and still extend compassion, is what separates people who thrive from those who just survive.

9) You still find joy in small moments

Last Sunday, I made pancakes for my grandchildren like I do every week. Nothing fancy, just mixing batter and flipping them while they chattered around my kitchen.

In that moment, watching them laugh and argue over who gets the first one, I felt completely content.

The people who possess that once-in-a-lifetime quality haven’t lost their ability to appreciate simple pleasures. A good cup of coffee, a beautiful sunset, a conversation with a friend, the way Lottie greets me when I come home.

These small joys aren’t trivial. They’re actually what life is made of.

When you’re in your seventies and still noticing these moments, still feeling gratitude for them, you’re doing something right.

Final thoughts

Being in your seventies isn’t about having a perfect body or a flawless track record. It’s about maintaining that spark that makes life worth living.

If you can still do most of these nine things, you’ve cultivated something rare and beautiful. You’ve kept your soul engaged with life instead of just watching it pass by.

And if you’re struggling with some of them? That’s okay too. It’s never too late to start reconnecting with what matters.

What small thing will you do today to keep your soul alive?