7 outdated routines that are hard to let go of—and why embracing change matters

by Lachlan Brown | May 4, 2026, 5:22 pm

Change is uncomfortable for everyone. But for some people, it’s not just uncomfortable—it’s deeply unsettling, especially when familiar routines have been a source of security for decades.

Think about it: many of the systems people grew up relying on—paper maps, checkbooks, the 6 p.m. news broadcast—have been replaced by an app, a notification, or some digital shortcut. That’s a lot of change in a relatively short period.

Now, to be clear: not everyone resists change. Plenty of people adapt beautifully regardless of age. But there are certain routines that feel so safe and familiar that some people hang on tightly, even when those routines no longer serve them.

The thing is, when we cling too hard to the past, we miss out on the freedom, ease, and connection that come with embracing the present.

Here are seven outdated routines that many people struggle to release—and some ideas for what to do instead.

1. Refusing to go paperless

How many times have you seen someone pull out a filing cabinet bursting with bank statements, bills, and insurance policies from the last 20 years?

For anyone who grew up before the internet, paper equals proof. No receipt? No refund. No statement? No evidence. Their entire sense of security rests on being able to physically touch their records.

But here’s the problem: paper doesn’t actually make life safer. It makes it messier. Documents get lost. Coffee spills happen. Fires, floods, and even pests can wipe out years of “proof” in one swoop.

Meanwhile, online banking and cloud storage are heavily encrypted. Most major institutions spend millions each year protecting digital data—far more than an average person could ever do with a filing cabinet.

Instead of trying to digitize everything at once, pick one bill—say, your electricity. Sign up for e-statements and see how it feels to have everything in one neat, searchable account.

Once you notice the ease, it gets easier to let go of the piles of paper.

2. Watching the evening news religiously

For a lot of people, the evening news isn’t just about staying informed—it’s almost ceremonial. Dinner waits until the broadcast is done. The anchors feel like family.

But the news industry thrives on fear. The more shocking the story, the higher the ratings. “If it bleeds, it leads” has been the unspoken motto for decades.

The result? Viewers end up thinking the world is more dangerous than it really is. Research shows that heavy news consumption increases stress, raises anxiety, and even fuels pessimism about the future.

Many people have figured this out and now get their updates in smaller, more curated doses—through podcasts, newsletters, or even social media highlights.

Try flipping the ratio. For every 30 minutes of mainstream news you watch, follow it up with 30 minutes of positive or solution-based content.

Shows like The Daily Stoic Podcast or newsletters like The Optimist Daily balance the perspective. You’ll still stay informed—but without going to bed feeling like the world’s on fire.

3. Writing checks for everything

We’ve all been in that grocery store line behind someone writing a check for $27.18. They pull out the checkbook, write each digit carefully, sign, and hand it over—while ten people in line look like they’re about to explode.

For many people, checks once symbolized security and formality. But today, they’re slow, clunky, and surprisingly vulnerable to theft. Mail can be intercepted. Signatures can be forged. And banks still take days to process them.

Digital payments, on the other hand, are fast, trackable, and encrypted. Tap a card, use a mobile wallet, or send money through apps—it’s instant and often safer.

If digital banking feels overwhelming, start with one tool. Many banks now let you set up auto-pay for bills, so you never have to worry about missing a deadline.

For everyday purchases, try using a debit card with tap-to-pay—it’s as easy as swiping but way quicker than writing a check.

4. Calling instead of texting

Here’s one of the clearest generational divides in communication: some people strongly prefer phone calls, while others lean heavily on texting.

For many, calling feels respectful. It’s what you did when you cared. But in today’s world, a call can feel intrusive. If someone is in the middle of work, at the gym, or winding down for bed, a ringing phone demands instant attention.

Texting, meanwhile, allows for breathing room. You can read, process, and respond when you’re ready. It doesn’t mean you care less—it just fits better with modern, multitasking life.

Eastern philosophy talks about “skillful means”—choosing the right approach for the right context. Sometimes a call is perfect (big news, emotional support, emergencies). Other times, a short text is not only enough, it’s actually more considerate.

Adopt a hybrid approach. If you’re tempted to call, ask yourself: “Is this urgent or emotional?” If yes, call. If no, send a text. It’s a simple filter that respects both your style and the other person’s boundaries.

5. Sticking to the same 9-to-5 rhythm after retirement

Many retirees still structure their days like they’re working—even years after leaving the office. They wake up at 6 a.m., dress neatly, eat breakfast at 7, and keep a rigid schedule.

Why? Because routine equals identity. Psychology research consistently shows that when people lose structured roles, they can experience a real sense of disorientation. If you’ve spent 40+ years working, suddenly dropping the 9-to-5 rhythm can feel like falling into a void.

But retirement isn’t about replicating work life without the office. It’s about freedom. You no longer need to obey the alarm clock. You don’t have to wait for weekends to relax or for summer to travel.

Create a “fluid routine.” Keep a loose structure for the day—like morning exercise, afternoon hobbies, and evening relaxation—but allow flexibility.

Want to sleep in one day? Do it. Want to travel midweek? Go. Retirement isn’t about discipline anymore—it’s about designing life on your terms.

6. Refusing to embrace online communities

Some people dismiss online groups as “not real friendships.” They stick to local clubs, church groups, or their go-to café—and there’s nothing wrong with any of those things.

But research in psychology suggests that social isolation is one of the biggest risk factors for cognitive decline and depression, particularly as people age. And online communities can fill gaps that geography creates.

Whether it’s a Facebook group for gardeners, a Discord server for book lovers, or a forum dedicated to vintage cars, the internet is full of meaningful, niche communities where people genuinely connect.

You don’t have to replace your in-person friendships. Think of online communities as an addition, not a substitution. Start by searching for a group related to one of your interests. Lurk for a while. Then introduce yourself. You might be surprised at how quickly it starts to feel like home.

7. Resisting new ways of learning

Many people believe that formal education belongs to the young—that once you’ve finished school and built a career, learning is done. But neuroscience tells a different story. The brain remains capable of forming new neural pathways throughout life, a concept known as neuroplasticity.

Today, learning has never been more accessible. Platforms like Coursera, YouTube, and MasterClass make it possible to pick up a new skill from your living room—whether that’s photography, a new language, or even coding.

The key is to approach learning with curiosity rather than obligation. You’re not studying for a grade or a promotion. You’re doing it because it keeps your mind sharp and your life interesting.

Pick one thing you’ve always been curious about and dedicate 20 minutes a day to it. That’s it. No pressure, no deadlines—just the simple joy of growing.

Letting go of familiar routines isn’t about admitting they were wrong. It’s about recognizing that what served us in one chapter of life doesn’t always serve us in the next. The willingness to adapt isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s one of the strongest things a person can do.

Lachlan Brown

Lachlan Brown is an entrepreneur and co-founder of Brown Brothers Media, a digital publishing network reaching tens of millions of readers monthly. He holds a Graduate Diploma of Psychological Studies from Deakin University, though his real education came afterward: a warehouse job shifting TVs, a stretch of anxiety in his mid-twenties, and the slow discovery that studying the mind is not the same as learning how to live well. He started experimenting with Buddhist principles during breaks at the warehouse and eventually began writing about what he was learning. That writing became Hack Spirit, a widely read personal development site, and his book Hidden Secrets of Buddhism became a bestseller. His work breaks down complex ideas into frameworks people can apply immediately, whether they are navigating a career change, a difficult relationship, or the gap between knowing what to do and actually doing it. Lachlan splits his time between Singapore and Saigon. He writes about high-performance routines, decision-making under pressure, digital innovation, and the intersection of Eastern philosophy with modern life. His perspective comes from having built things from scratch, failed at some of them, and learned that clarity comes from practice, not theory.