People who become the best version of themselves after 50 usually adopt these 10 habits

People who truly shine after 50 adopt many of these habits.

A person with short blonde hair and glasses smiles gently while resting their chin on their hand. They are wrapped in a shawl, with a background of lush greenery and soft, filtered light.

Far too many people think that life ends at 50, instead of recognizing that it’s a turning point instead. In fact, many folks transform into the best version of themselves after reaching that milestone, and most of them do so via the following habits:

1. Continual introspection.

A mature man with gray hair and beard, wearing glasses and a dark shirt, is seated indoors. He has his hands behind his head, looking relaxed and pensive. The background shows blurred kitchen shelves and a window.

Older people who truly grow into their potential continually check in with themselves to determine how they really feel about things. While they may have been influenced by their social circles in their youth, maturity allows them the chance to be truly honest about what they think and feel, on their own terms.

2. Drawing from personal experience to excel.

A man with a bald head and a beard, wearing glasses and a white button-up shirt, smiles while looking at the camera. The background is blurred with an outdoor, possibly urban setting.

Living for half a century allows a person to amass a fair amount of experience. Those who reinvent themselves and pursue things they truly love after age 50 draw from their wells of experience and happiness and follow paths that they both adore and do well in.

3. Letting go of others’ perceptions and expectations.

A woman with long blonde hair smiles at the camera. She is wearing a brown beret, clear glasses, and a mustard-colored coat over a white sweater and red polka-dotted shirt. The background is an outdoor scene with blurred buildings and trees.

If you’ve ever seen older people walking around with purple hair, tattoos, or spectacularly unique wardrobes, you know they’ve let go of other people’s expectations of them. When you stop giving a damn what strangers may think of you, you’re free to express yourself in whatever ways you see fit.

4. Distancing themselves from unnecessary drama.

A middle-aged man with short, gray hair and a neatly trimmed beard is looking directly at the camera. He is wearing a light blue button-up shirt and appears to be indoors, possibly in an office or home setting, with soft natural light illuminating his face.

“Not my circus, not my monkeys” is a mantra that the happiest elders put into regular practice. If a situation doesn’t serve them or involve them personally, then they won’t get involved with it at all. Furthermore, they’ll distance themselves from those who stir up drama for their own amusement.

5. Prioritizing things that bring them joy.

Three women are sitting outdoors, smiling and enjoying each other's company. They are in a relaxed, natural setting with tree foliage in the background, creating a bright and cheerful atmosphere. Each woman displays a warm, joyful expression.

If they felt pressured into doing things that they disliked in their youth, they’ll discard those and place higher priority on their own ideas of comfort and joy. This might involve reading by the fire with hot soup and a cuddly cat, or going out to concerts every weekend.

6. Engaging in a creative outlet.

A senior woman in glasses is teaching a younger woman how to paint at an easel. The room is filled with natural light, and other students can be seen working in the background.

Humans are creative creatures by nature, and most of the happiest 50+ folks you’ll meet engage in some kind of creative endeavor. They may knit, sew, carve, do historical re-enactments, or enjoy any other number of artistic pursuits. Whatever they do, they pour real loving care into it and enjoy every moment.

7. Honest expression.

A woman with long, light brown hair smiles brightly at the camera while standing outdoors on a sunny day. She is wearing a white short-sleeve shirt and has one hand resting on her hip. A street with parked cars and greenery is visible in the background.

Younger people are often afraid to “rock the boat” by expressing how they truly feel about things, leading to stress and anxiety from repressed emotion. Those who step into their real power and authenticity after age 50 tend to express how they feel honestly instead, which is immensely freeing and cathartic.

8. Perpetual learning.

An older man with gray hair, wearing a blue and red plaid shirt, is sitting at a desk in a library, intently reading a book and taking notes. In the background, other individuals are also reading at the desks. The atmosphere appears quiet and studious.

Regardless of how much knowledge one has accrued over the years, there is always more to learn. Those who really come into themselves after the half-century mark tend to be lifelong learners—whether through self-directed study or taking classes. These may be taken online, or in person at a local university.

9. Embracing inevitable change.

A smiling person with short curly gray hair is wearing a light-colored scarf and jacket. The background features colorful autumn trees with red, orange, and yellow leaves, creating a warm and vibrant setting.

Aging is difficult at times, especially when one is faced with the uncomfortable realities of physical limitations and changing visual aesthetics. Those who become the best versions of themselves after 50 stop identifying themselves with their temporary shells, and embrace inevitable change with grace and dignity as it unfolds.

10. Moving on from anything that no longer serves their best interests.

A middle-aged man with a salt-and-pepper beard and short hair gazes thoughtfully to the side. He is wearing a blue t-shirt and a denim jacket. The background shows trees softly blurred, suggesting an outdoor setting at sunset.

They recognize that part of becoming the best version of oneself involves letting go of habits, items, and people who no longer align with their personal development. As such, they’ll eliminate clutter, cancel habits done out of duty rather than love, and distance themselves from people who steal their energy.