“I’m too old to change.” That is the best admission of needing to change ones ways that I have ever heard. When did we start thinking that self-improvement has an age limit? The answer is different for everyone. And that’s the beauty of self-improvement, it is personal. There’s no one-size-fits-all formula, but it takes creating habits that elevate our lives. 

Parts of our bodies may be “spongy looking” but our brains are still like sponge too, so soak up something fresh! The world is full of fascinating things to discover, and learning doesn’t have to feel like homework. Always wanted to try painting or pottery? Take a class at a local studio. Love cooking? Challenge yourself to master a new recipe. Or do like the ladies in Hillcrest 22, they have turned their passion for art into monthly classes for their neighbors.

Curious about space, history, or how to train your cat to do tricks? Dive into books, podcasts, or even the occasional deep-dive YouTube binge. Learning expands your world. And who knows? You might stumble upon a new passion—or, at the very least, become that person with random but impressive fun facts. (Did you know there’s a whole science behind why popcorn smells so good? Now you do.)

Which self-improvement habits can help me become my best self? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. After all, your vision of your best self doesn’t look like anyone else’s. But there definitely are some habits that virtually all of us can benefit from practicing. 

And you never know, you might end up learning something that can change the course of your life. Knowledge can open doors and create opportunities you never knew existed. Being a continual student of the world is a great self-improvement habit to have. Learning and developing growth habits are essential parts of a well-rounded life. Here are a couple more ideas to make life more interesting:

1. Practice gratitude. Yeah, yeah, yeah…but it works! Intentionally pausing for a moment each day to focus on the positive and appreciate the blessings in your life doesn’t take much time or effort – and you’ll reap big rewards. Practicing gratitude has been proven to help reduce depression, minimize stress and anxiety, improve sleep, and more. And this is easy to do. You can do it in the shower, while washing dishes or folding laundry. Think of 3 things you bare grateful for and why. It helps the time pass, and you will feel better if not great.

Some people keep a gratitude journal. If you enjoy writing, this one’s for you. Nothing fancy or time-consuming. Five minutes a day can do the trick. It is even more fun if you involve a friend. Get together and share your thoughts on the phone or in person. It will be uplifting for both of you. This is a great way to increase accountability and help your practice stick!

2. Create new habits can be  an important first step to improving your life. Only you know what you would like to do more of…or less of. Tackle one goal at a time and remember it takes time to create, change or break a habit. We have all told ourselves, “I wish I could start…” or I wish I could stop…” or even wish to do something a different way. I remember that a woman in our building who could be counted on to say something negative about almost everyone, told her neighbor she was going to stop gossiping. When I heard that I laughed – as did her neighbor. Here we are, two years later, and she is one of the nicest people in the building. That one blew me away and I truly admire her.

Remember that you are the one who determines what your definition of success is. Self-improvement habits help you to get there, but it’s not about comparing yourself with anyone else.

And it is possible to be content with what you have while pursuing what you want. You can find a balance between being happy while also continuing to grow.

3. Prioritize your health. If you have not made changes in your diet, exercise or hygiene habits as you age, you are making a big mistake. I can’t believe how many people have major dental issues because they stopped going to the dentist. I thank my mom for making it a habit that I get my teeth cleaned twice a year.  I remember when my mother-in-law was alerted to a heart condition by her dentist. And I swear, back in the day, my dentist asked me if I was pregnant when I wasn’t even sure myself. I just googled dentists and health conditions and found: “A routine dental exam may reveal unknown problems with your bones, heart, blood sugar, or digestion because certain warning signs live inside your mouth.” Oh my.

You can’t be the best version of yourself if you’re feeling sluggish, tired, or unwell. And what you consume daily plays a major role in how you feel. This applies to the foods and drinks that you choose as well as the things you listen to and the people in your life.

Many of us don’t think about our diets as a habit, but what – and how – we eat influences our lives. Snacking as you watch television and grabbing fast food instead of cooking are habits. So are meal planning and enjoying a nice dinner alone or with a friend or family. Notice everything goes back to cooking with me… Food affects your energy levels, your moods, your immune system and can even affect clarity of thought.  Changing your diet doesn’t have to be about giving up your favorite foods but adding more of the healthy foods you like to your daily diet. I can personally testify that this one works.

4. The word “movement” is very important in later life, and not just when it comes to…well, you know. It is also important to consider how much you move around every day. We all have access to a pool. Walking in the pool is very low impact, and the fresh air doesn’t hurt. I admire my neighbors who make it a habit to read by the pool or stroll up and down the hall and chat every day. Walking is an easy and affordable habit to get into. As for social interaction, there is nothing wrong with avoiding it but at least spend some time daily with the people you enjoy. We are lucky to have a lot of intelligent, funny, kind, interesting people in Hillcrest. I am pleasant to everyone I meet, but very selective when seeking company, and yes, phone conversations count.

Bottom line: There is no right or wrong answer here. Just focus on one thing at a time and practice self-compassion in the process. Don’t beat yourself up for how things have gone in the past. Focus forward on what small changes you can make now to improve your overall well-being. Self-compassion also means “letting go”. The past is past; we all made mistakes that may even have changed the course of our lives. It is hard not to look in the rear-view mirror and wish we had done things differently, but here we are. We can’t go back and change course, so moving forward is the only option. Easier said than done? No, but if the regrets affect your happiness, it may be time to talk to a therapist. Especially when we finally reach the stage in life where we finally realize that health and happiness are the ultimate goals, and that one step at a time is okay.