Getting older isn’t for the faint of heart. Your joints make more noise than they used to, the names of actors you used to know like the back of your hand now play hard to get, and some mornings you wake up sore… from sleeping.

But here’s the good news: age has a way of polishing people. Not everyone gets better with time, but those who do? They shine. Not because they’re perfect—but because they’ve held onto certain habits, attitudes, and abilities that make them truly rare.

I’ve met a few of these people in my life. Men and women in their 70s and beyond who walk into a room and bring calm, kindness, or wisdom with them. And when you look at how they live, you start to notice patterns. Little things that make a big difference.

So let’s talk about the things that—if you’re still doing them in your 70s—make you a bit of a gem in a world that could use more sparkle.

1. You keep learning new things

Whether it’s picking up a new recipe, reading a book on a topic you knew nothing about, or finally figuring out how to use your smartphone without asking the grandkids for help—curiosity is one of the clearest signs of a mind that’s still sharp and open.

I once met a 76-year-old woman at a community center class learning Spanish. She told me, “I’ve got no plans to go to Spain. I just wanted to see if I could still learn something new.”

Now that is the kind of mindset that keeps people young inside.

2. You know how to laugh at yourself

There’s something refreshing about people who don’t take themselves too seriously.

You spill coffee on your shirt, you forget your own punchline, you misplace your glasses only to find them on top of your head—and you laugh.

That kind of self-honesty takes pressure off everyone around you. It tells people: “Hey, I’m still learning too.”

I’ve mentioned this before, but just the other day, I walked Lottie around the park with mismatched socks. I didn’t even notice until a teenager pointed it out. I just shrugged and said, “Guess I’m starting a trend.”

Better to be amused than embarrassed.

3. You stay physically active—even just a little

We’re not talking about running marathons. I mean walking, stretching, gardening, dancing around the kitchen when a good song comes on.

Movement keeps your body working and your spirit lifted.

One of the gentlemen in my neighborhood is 81. He walks to the post office every morning, rain or shine. Says it’s not about exercise—it’s about momentum. “If I keep moving forward, life keeps moving with me.”

That stuck with me.

4. You’re still curious about people

Not just the news or the weather—but people. Their stories, their struggles, their dreams.

If you’re the kind of person who still asks questions—and really listens to the answers—you’re a rare one.

Younger folks notice that, by the way. They can tell the difference between someone who’s lecturing and someone who’s truly curious.

It’s not about offering advice. Sometimes, it’s just about saying, “Tell me more about that.” And meaning it.

5. You keep your word

In a world full of flakiness and last-minute excuses, someone who does what they say they’ll do is like gold.

It doesn’t mean you never have to cancel plans or change your mind. But it does mean people know they can count on you—and that still matters, no matter your age.

A friend of mine, Frank, has been helping set up chairs at the same church for 25 years. No one asked him to. He just shows up every Sunday, like clockwork. He told me once, “When you do what you say, you don’t need to say much.”

That’s wisdom, plain and simple.

6. You listen more than you talk

It’s easy to fall into the trap of becoming the storyteller, the advice-giver, the “back in my day” guy.

But those who listen—really listen—bring peace into conversations. They make people feel heard.

And that’s a rare trait, especially in a world where everyone seems eager to speak first.

I’ve learned more from quiet elders who ask good questions than I have from people who talk non-stop.

7. You express gratitude out loud

Whether it’s thanking the grocery clerk, complimenting your daughter’s cooking, or telling an old friend you appreciate them—gratitude is a gift you give to others and yourself.

Back when my wife and I were first dating, I used to write her little notes of thanks for the smallest things—packing a lunch, leaving me a slice of pie.

Decades later, I still try to say thank you every day. Not because it’s polite, but because I don’t ever want to take anything for granted.

People who do this in their 70s? They carry a lightness that others notice.

8. You stay open to change

Look, I know change can be uncomfortable. Especially when it comes quickly and keeps shifting the rules.

But if you’re still open to new ideas, willing to admit when you’re wrong, and not afraid to say, “Hmm, I hadn’t thought of it that way”—that’s powerful.

I once had a conversation with a man in his late 70s about gender identity. He admitted he didn’t fully understand it, but he said, “I don’t need to understand to be kind.”

That humility? That openness? That’s rare. And it speaks volumes.

9. You forgive

Not because others deserve it—but because you do.

Carrying old grudges only weighs you down. If you’ve learned to let go of bitterness—not to forget, but to free yourself—you’re carrying a strength most people never master.

I forgave someone in my late 60s who had wronged me in business decades earlier. It wasn’t easy. But afterward, it felt like I’d set down a bag of bricks I didn’t even realize I was still holding.

10. You make others feel seen

This might be the rarest gem of all.

If you can look someone in the eye, remember their name, ask how they’re really doing, and take a moment to connect—you’re giving them something priceless.

Whether it’s your grandkids, a neighbor, or the young man bagging your groceries—when you treat others with dignity, you remind them (and yourself) that we all matter.

People don’t always remember what you said. But they remember how you made them feel.

Final thoughts

One thing I know: getting older doesn’t make you a rare gem. How you age does.

So here’s a question worth asking: Which of these habits are still alive in you—and which ones might be worth picking back up again?

Because if you’re doing even a few of these things in your 70s, trust me—you’re shining brighter than you think.