If you want to stay up-to-date with technology as you get older, say goodbye to these 9 habits

I used to think staying relevant in the tech world required knowing the latest gadgets or mastering complicated apps.
But as time passed, I realized that all you need to do is simply be open to change.
Let’s be honest, some habits are harder to break than others, and it’s those habits—not our age—that can make technology feel like a foreign language.
There was a moment when I caught myself clinging to my old ways, refusing to learn something as simple as mobile banking.
“I’ll just keep writing checks,” I thought. But eventually, I had to ask myself: Am I really resisting the technology, or am I just afraid of trying?
If you’ve ever felt the same, don’t worry—you’re not alone. Together, let’s explore nine habits that might be holding you back and see what happens when you let them go.
1) Resistance to change
Staying on top of technology means welcoming change with open arms.
It’s no secret; technology evolves at a rapid pace. What was cutting-edge yesterday might be obsolete today.
This constant evolution can be intimidating, especially if you’ve been holding tight onto the comfort of familiar systems and processes for a long time.
Resisting change, however, won’t do you any good. In fact, it can leave you trailing behind in the digital race.
It’s time to embrace the new and bid goodbye to this habit of resisting change.
If a new software or gadget presents itself, don’t shy away. Dive in, explore, learn, and adapt.
2) Assuming technology is only for the young
Here’s something I’ve dealt with personally.
There’s this age-related stereotype that technology is a young person’s game. And I believed it, too, for a while.
I’d watch my grandkids navigating their tablets with ease and think, “Well, they’re digital natives, and I’m not. Maybe this tech stuff isn’t for me.”
But then, I decided to challenge this belief. Why should they have all the fun?
So, I got myself a tablet.
Yes, there was a learning curve, but guess what? I managed. And now, I read books, watch shows, and even do my shopping on it.
Let’s break free from this self-limiting belief that technology is only for the young.
It’s never too late to learn something new. Let’s embrace the digital age regardless of our calendar age!
3) Over-reliance on traditional methods
Here’s something to ponder. The US Postal Service processed and delivered 129.2 billion pieces of mail in 2020.
That’s a lot of paper and snail pace communication, especially when we live in an era of instant digital messaging.
We’ve all been there, sending physical letters or keeping paper records because that’s how we’ve always done it.
But technology offers us faster, more efficient ways to communicate and organize our lives.
From emails to cloud storage, the digital world has solutions that not only save time but are also kinder to our environment. So, it’s time we stepped into the modern era with full gusto.
4) Ignoring online security
Safety first, right? Well, the same principle applies in the digital world.
Many of us tend to overlook the importance of online security. We either use weak passwords or, worse, use the same password for multiple accounts.
In an era where cyber threats are on the rise, this habit could leave us vulnerable to online theft or fraud.
It’s crucial to understand that being digitally savvy also means being digitally safe.
Start by using strong, unique passwords for each of our accounts and enabling two-factor authentication where available. Staying updated with technology means staying safe too.
5) Not utilizing tech for better health
It’s easy to overlook the power that technology has in improving our health.
Wearable devices and health apps are becoming increasingly popular, and for good reason. They can track everything from our daily steps to our heart rate and sleep patterns.
But many of us aren’t tapping into this potential. Maybe it feels a bit ‘Big Brother’, or we’re just stuck in our old ways of doing things.
However, harnessing this tech can provide valuable insights into our health and help us make positive changes.
According to research, only 3.3 % of US-based wearable tech users are 65 years of age or older, despite the obvious benefits that they bring specifically to the older population.
So, let’s ditch the habit of ignoring these tech tools and start utilizing them to enhance our wellbeing as we age. After all, health is wealth, right?
6) Avoiding social media
I understand, the world of hashtags, memes and viral challenges can seem overwhelming.
It’s often easier to avoid social media altogether than try to grasp its fast-moving trends.
But here’s the thing – social media is more than just funny cat videos and ice bucket challenges.
It’s a powerful tool for connection. As we age, it becomes all the more important to stay connected with our loved ones and the world at large.
And social media provides just that – a window to the world from the comfort of our homes.
So, let’s not shy away from it. Instead, take small steps. You don’t have to master every platform out there.
Start with one that resonates with you. It could be Facebook for family updates, Instagram for beautiful photos, or Twitter for news.
It’s never too late to join the digital conversation. Let’s make the most of this wonderful tool to stay connected and engaged as we age.
7) Believing tech is too complex
I’ll admit, there was a time when I thought I’d never understand the cloud.
It seemed like this complex, intangible thing that only tech wizards could comprehend.
But once I decided to tackle it head-on, I realized it wasn’t as complicated as I thought.
Sure, technology can seem daunting at first. There are new terms to learn and processes to understand. But just like anything in life, practice makes it easier.
The key is to not get overwhelmed by the complexity. Take one step at a time.
Learn one feature, master it, and then move on to the next. Before you know it, you’ll be navigating the tech world like a pro.
8) Not seeking help when needed
There’s a common misconception that seeking help is a sign of weakness.
However, when it comes to technology, asking for assistance is often the quickest way to learn.
Sometimes, we can get stuck trying to figure out a new app or device. We might spend hours on it, when a simple question to a tech-savvy friend or a quick online search could have solved the issue.
So, let’s drop this habit of not seeking help. It’s okay to ask questions.
9) Assuming you’re too old to learn
Let’s bust this myth once and for all.
Age is just a number, especially when it comes to learning new things. Psychologists agree that our brains are capable of learning and adapting at any age.
Don’t let your birth year deter you from exploring the digital world.
The belief that you’re too old to learn is the biggest barrier in staying up-to-date with technology.
It’s never too late to start, and the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Final thoughts
The thing about technology is that it doesn’t wait for anyone.
It keeps moving forward, and the choice to adapt—or not—is entirely ours.
At first, I thought staying “tech-savvy” meant turning into some sort of digital wizard, but really, it’s just about staying curious.
Sure, there’s a learning curve, and yes, there will be moments when it feels like you’re speaking a different language.
But isn’t that the beauty of it? To stumble, to learn, and to realize that you’re capable of more than you gave yourself credit for?
If there’s one habit worth holding onto, it’s the belief that you’re never too old to grow.
Because here’s the truth: whether it’s figuring out a new app or exploring an entirely new way of living, the digital world is just waiting for you to take that first step. So, let’s not sit this one out.