If you want to learn more about the world as you get older, say goodbye to these 8 behaviors

Growing older, it’s one of those unavoidable realities of life, isn’t it?

You might think you’ve got a good handle on things, that you’ve learnt all there is to know. But let me tell you something, there’s a whole world out there waiting to be discovered.

The kicker though, is that sometimes we can be our own worst enemies. There are certain tendencies, certain behaviors we’ve held onto that can limit our ability to learn and grow.

It’s not always glaringly obvious. Sometimes it’s just a lurking feeling that you’re not quite as open or receptive as you once were. Maybe your mind doesn’t seem as flexible, or maybe you just can’t shake off that nagging feeling of being stuck in your ways.

But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. In this article, I’m going to show you the eight behaviors you need to say goodbye to if you want to keep learning about the world as you age. It won’t be easy – heck, it might even be a little painful – but trust me, it’ll be worth it in the end.

Stick with me here, and let’s embark on this journey of lifelong learning together. After all, age is just a number and the world is way too fascinating to stop exploring now.

1) Holding onto rigid beliefs

Change is one of the only constants in life, they say.

And yet, as we grow older, we might find ourselves clutching onto our beliefs like a life raft. It’s comfortable, it’s familiar, and let’s be honest here, it spares us from the effort of having to reassess our worldviews.

But here’s the thing, clinging onto rigid beliefs can stop you from learning and growing. It’s like trying to navigate a vast ocean with an outdated map. You’re just not going to get very far.

If you’re serious about learning more about the world as you age, you’ve got to be willing to let go of these rigid beliefs. To accept that what you know might not be the complete picture. To recognize that there’s always more to learn, more perspectives to consider.

It won’t be easy, breaking free from the comfort zone rarely is. But it’s a small price to pay for the wealth of knowledge and wisdom waiting on the other side.

So take a deep breath, loosen that grip on your beliefs, and get ready to see the world in a whole new light.

2) Ignoring new experiences

Sometimes life throws opportunities at us that are completely out of our comfort zone. They’re new, they’re different, and they’re downright scary.

I remember this one time when I was offered a chance to go on a solo backpacking trip across Europe. It was terrifying. I mean, who in their right mind would want to navigate foreign lands all by themselves, right?

But guess what? That trip turned out to be one of the most enlightening experiences of my life. I met people from different walks of life, experienced cultures that were alien to me, and most importantly, I learnt so much about myself and the world around me.

And that’s exactly what new experiences can do for you. They can widen your horizons, challenge your preconceived notions and help you learn things you never would have otherwise.

3) Resisting change

I’m sure you’ve heard the quote by Albert Einstein, “The measure of intelligence is the ability to change“.

There’s a wealth of wisdom in those words. But let’s be honest, change can be downright scary at times. It’s unpredictable, it’s challenging and it takes us out of our comfort zone.

But here’s the thing, if we want to keep learning as we age, we need to embrace change rather than resist it. We need to see it not as a threat, but as an opportunity for growth and learning.

Take technology for example. It’s constantly evolving and changing. And sure, it can be intimidating to keep up, especially as we get older. But if we resist this change, we’re essentially closing the door on a world of knowledge and discovery.

Let’s say goodbye to resisting change. Let’s welcome it with open arms and an open mind. After all, as Einstein said, our intelligence is measured by our ability to change. And what better way to showcase our intelligence than by continually learning and growing?

4) Avoiding difficult conversations

Did you know that the average person spends about 70 to 80 percent of their day communicating in some way? That’s a lot of talking, listening, reading and writing.

Yet, despite all this communicating, we often shy away from having difficult conversations. These are the discussions that make us uncomfortable, that challenge our viewpoints or beliefs, the ones that might lead to conflict or disagreement.

But here’s the reality. Difficult conversations can be a goldmine for learning and growth. They force us to step out of our comfort zone, to listen to different perspectives and to question our own beliefs.

And as we age, it’s these uncomfortable conversations that can provide us with the most profound insights about the world around us.

5) Living in the past

We’ve all got our stories, our histories, our past. They’re what shaped us into the people we are today. But sometimes, we get so caught up in our past that we forget to live in the present.

Ever found yourself reminiscing about the good old days, or regretting past mistakes?

We’ve all been there.

But too much dwelling on the past can prevent us from learning and experiencing new things.

The world around us is constantly changing, evolving, growing. And if we want to learn more about it as we get older, we need to be fully present in the now.

6) Being a passive observer

Life is not a spectator sport. You can’t just sit on the sidelines, watching the world go by, and hope to learn and grow.

Think about it. The richest learning experiences often come from active participation, from getting your hands dirty, from jumping in and giving things a go.

As we get older, it’s easy to fall into the trap of being a passive observer. But if we want to continue learning about the world, we need to be active participants in our own lives.

For me, this meant deciding to take that art class I’d always been interested in instead of just admiring paintings in a gallery. It was challenging, sure, but the experience taught me so much more than any book or documentary ever could.

7) Not asking enough questions

The world is full of wonders, full of mysteries waiting to be unraveled. And as we get older, it’s easy to forget the power of a simple question.

Remember when you were a child, how you would constantly ask why? Why is the sky blue? Why do birds fly? Why, why, why?

Asking questions is one of the most powerful tools for learning. It’s how we delve deeper into subjects, how we challenge our own understanding, and how we discover new perspectives.

But somewhere along the way, we might have stopped asking so many questions. Maybe because we’re afraid of looking foolish, or maybe because we think we already know all the answers.

8) Neglecting self-reflection

In the hustle and bustle of life, it’s easy to forget to take a moment to reflect. To look back at our experiences, our actions, our thoughts and feelings, and really dig deep into what they all mean.

But here’s the thing – self-reflection is one of the most powerful tools for learning and growth. It allows us to understand ourselves better, to identify our strengths and weaknesses, and to see how we can improve.

Take for example a time when I had a disagreement with a close friend. Instead of brushing it off, I took the time to reflect on why it happened. What role did I play in it? How could I have handled it differently? The insights I gained from that reflection were invaluable.

So if you really want to learn more about the world as you get older, don’t neglect self-reflection. It’s through understanding ourselves that we can truly understand the world around us.

Let’s commit to regularly taking time out for self-reflection. Because when we understand ourselves better, we’re better equipped to understand the world around us. And that’s what lifelong learning is all about.

In conclusion

As we’ve explored, growing older doesn’t mean closing the door to learning about the world. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Saying goodbye to these seven behaviors can open up doors to new opportunities, experiences, and knowledge.

Understanding that change is inevitable can be liberating. Taking a leap into the unknown can reveal uncharted territories. Asking questions can shed light on topics previously left in the dark.

The journey towards lifelong learning is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires patience, curiosity, and a willingness to step outside of your comfort zone. It won’t always be easy – but the rewards are worth it.

So take a moment now to reflect on these behaviors. Which ones resonate with you? Which ones are holding you back from learning more about the world?

Then start small. Choose one behavior to say goodbye to and see where that leads you. As Henry Ford once said, “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty.”

So let’s embrace this journey of lifelong learning because it’s never too late to learn something new. After all, the world is an endless source of wonder and there’s always more to discover.