As we age, we naturally gain wisdom and self-awareness, right? Well, not exactly. It’s not a given that with age comes wisdom. In fact, it’s a journey that requires intentional growth and self-reflection.

I’m Lachlan Brown, founder of Hack Spirit and I have a special interest in mindfulness and Buddhism. I’ve seen that those who truly grow wiser with age tend to display 8 specific behaviors.

These behaviors are not tied to any particular age or stage in life. They’re the result of an ongoing commitment to self-improvement and mindfulness.

In this article, I’m going to share these 8 behaviors with you.

Not only will this give you insights into your own personal journey, but it can help you recognize and appreciate the wisdom in others as well.

1) A commitment to mindfulness

Becoming wiser and more self-aware doesn’t just happen overnight. It’s a process that requires a conscious decision to engage in mindful practices.

From my experience, those who truly grow with age have a deep commitment to mindfulness. They understand the power of being present and fully engaged in the moment.

Mindfulness is not just about meditation or yoga, although those can certainly help. No, at its core, mindfulness is about paying attention to our thoughts, feelings, and surroundings without judgment.

This ability to observe without getting caught up in our reactions allows us to make more thoughtful decisions and respond rather than react to life’s challenges.

It’s an essential part of the journey towards greater wisdom and self-awareness.

In my journey with mindfulness, which I’ve chronicled in my book “Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego”, I’ve found that it can be a powerful tool for personal growth.

And remember, it’s not about being perfect. Mindfulness is a practice. Some days it will come easier than others. But with consistent commitment, it becomes a natural part of our lives.

2) Regular self-reflection

Another behavior I’ve noticed among those who grow wiser with age is their habit of regular self-reflection.

It’s something I’ve tried to incorporate into my own life. Making time each day to sit quietly and reflect on my actions, thoughts, and feelings. It’s not always easy, but it’s certainly fulfilling.

Self-reflection is an integral part of Buddhism and mindfulness practices. It helps us understand ourselves better, recognize our patterns, and make necessary changes.

Reflecting on ourselves can sometimes be uncomfortable. It requires us to confront our shortcomings and mistakes.

But it’s this willingness to face our imperfections that leads to growth and wisdom.

3) Embracing impermanence

One of the cornerstones of Buddhist wisdom is the concept of impermanence. It’s the understanding that everything is constantly changing and nothing is permanent.

Those who become wiser and more self-aware with age are not just aware of this truth, they embrace it. They understand that clinging to people, things, or experiences causes suffering because everything is transitory.

This can be a difficult truth to accept. We often want to hold onto the good times, the people we love, and our youthful vitality. But all these things are fleeting.

Embracing impermanence doesn’t mean we should be detached or indifferent. Instead, it invites us to appreciate every moment and every experience for what it is, knowing it won’t last forever.

This acceptance of life’s transient nature can bring a sense of peace and wisdom.

4) Living with minimal ego

This is a behavior that is very close to my heart.

People who grow wiser with age often understand that there’s no room for a bloated ego in a fulfilling and meaningful life. They acknowledge that they don’t have all the answers and are open to learning from others.

Now, living with minimal ego doesn’t mean you lack confidence or ambition. On the contrary, it’s about having a realistic sense of your abilities and accomplishments without letting them define your worth.

This behavior is about the willingness to let go of the need to be right, to listen more than you speak, and to approach life with curiosity rather than judgment.

In my book, I delve deeper into this concept and discuss how to cultivate humility and live with maximum impact and minimum ego. It’s an essential trait for anyone seeking wisdom and self-awareness.

If you’re interested in checking out my book, you can find it on Amazon here. 

5) Cultivating compassion

Mindfulness isn’t just about self-awareness. It’s also about extending our awareness to others. And that’s where compassion comes in.

Those who grow wiser with age often have a profound sense of compassion. They understand that everyone is fighting their own battles, and they approach others with kindness and understanding.

Cultivating compassion isn’t always easy. It can be challenging to show kindness to those who have hurt us or to people we don’t agree with. But compassion isn’t about condoning harmful behavior; it’s about acknowledging the shared human experience.

Mindfulness encourages us to notice our emotions without judgment, which can help us recognize when we’re reacting out of hurt or anger. In these moments, we can choose to respond with compassion instead.

Compassion can transform our relationships and interactions. It allows us to connect on a deeper level and reminds us that we’re all part of the same human experience.

Those who display this behavior demonstrate their wisdom and self-awareness in a profound and impactful way.

6) Acceptance of suffering

This may seem like a grim point, but it’s an important one. Buddhism teaches us that suffering is a part of life. It’s not something we can avoid or outrun.

Those who become wiser as they age understand this. They’ve experienced pain, loss, and disappointment, and they’ve learned from it.

Accepting suffering doesn’t mean resigning yourself to a life of misery. Rather, it’s about acknowledging that pain and hardship are part of the human experience.

When we stop resisting suffering and start accepting it, we can learn valuable lessons about resilience, empathy, and the impermanence of life.

This acceptance also allows for a deeper appreciation of joy and happiness when they do come. After all, we can’t truly appreciate light without experiencing darkness.

Acceptance of suffering is not easy, but it’s an essential step towards wisdom and self-awareness. And those who manage to do so demonstrate a profound understanding of life’s complexities.

7) The power of letting go

In the journey towards wisdom and self-awareness, the ability to let go is crucial.

Those who become wiser as they age understand that holding onto past hurts, grudges or regrets only adds to their burdens. It prevents them from moving forward and experiencing true peace of mind.

Letting go is not about forgetting or ignoring what has happened. It’s about acknowledging it, learning from it, and then releasing it.

Letting go can be challenging. It requires strength and courage to release what no longer serves us. But those who manage to do so show incredible wisdom and self-awareness.

They demonstrate that they are not defined by their past, but are constantly growing, evolving, and moving towards a more mindful and enlightened existence.

8) Welcoming discomfort

This may seem counterintuitive, but those who grow wiser with age often welcome discomfort.

In mindfulness practices, we are encouraged to lean into uncomfortable feelings and situations instead of avoiding them. This doesn’t mean seeking out pain or hardship, but rather learning to sit with discomfort when it arises.

Welcoming discomfort is about acknowledging our fears, doubts, and insecurities without letting them control us. It’s about stepping outside of our comfort zone and embracing the unknown.

Discomfort often signals growth and change. It pushes us to question our beliefs, challenge our assumptions, and explore new perspectives.

Those who welcome discomfort demonstrate a level of self-awareness and wisdom that goes beyond the average. They understand that growth doesn’t come from staying within the confines of what’s comfortable but from pushing boundaries and facing challenges head-on.

It’s a reminder that, in discomfort, we often find our greatest potential for growth and transformation.

Final thoughts

As we’ve explored, growing wiser and more self-aware with age isn’t about adding years to your life. It’s about adding life to your years. It’s about cultivating mindfulness, embracing change, showing compassion, and welcoming discomfort.

These behaviors are not exclusive to a privileged few. They’re available to all of us, no matter our age or circumstance. And the fantastic thing is, there’s always room for growth.

For those interested in diving deeper into these concepts, I invite you to check out my book “Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego.”

Remember, wisdom and self-awareness aren’t destinations but journeys. And each step we take brings us closer to understanding ourselves and the world around us better.