Life can feel like it’s moving a mile a minute these days — new apps, fresh career options, and a shifting social landscape.
Sometimes, though, our language doesn’t evolve as quickly as the world around us. And while certain expressions are harmless quirks, others might be doing more damage than you realize.
I’ve been there.
There was a time when I constantly said things like, “I’ll never be able to do that.” It felt comforting — like a shield against the possibility of failure.
Yet it also held me back, stalling me in personal and professional ruts.
As we move into 2025, it might be time to clean out your mental closet and ditch a few stale expressions that keep you from embracing new opportunities.
Below are 7 phrases that, if you’re still saying them, might indicate you’re stuck in the past.
1) “I’m too old for that now”
It’s easy to believe that certain milestones or pursuits have an expiration date. You might think you missed your shot if you didn’t launch a business in your early 20s or master a skill by 30.
But labeling yourself as “too old” is like applying the brakes on every possibility you haven’t yet explored.
I used to assume I was too old to pick up new sports.
Then a couple of years ago, I gave trail running a shot. I was quickly hooked.
Sure, I was a little slower than I might have been at 21, but my age also brought discipline and patience.
The experience reminded me that we often underestimate our capacity to adapt at any point in life.
As noted by Carl Jung, “We cannot live the afternoon of life according to the program of life’s morning.”
Our interests, passions, and growth potential shift over time.
Declaring yourself “too old” locks you into a mindset that no longer fits your stage of life. You might miss a second (or third) act that you never saw coming.
2) “That’s just how I’ve always done it”
If you still cling to this phrase, you could be shutting out evolution in both your personal routines and broader life choices.
Relying on old patterns often feels cozy. After all, predictability offers a sense of security.
But in a world that’s changing faster than ever, sticking to the same old method can be a recipe for stagnation.
I’ve talked about this before at HackSpirit, but I’ll mention it again briefly:
Staying stuck in “the way I’ve always done it” can prevent you from discovering more efficient, fulfilling, or cost-effective ways of living.
Whether it’s adopting new habits to improve your health, updating your productivity system at work, or trying novel approaches in relationships, shaking things up is essential for growth.
Psychologists suggest that we’re creatures of habit, but we also have a remarkable ability to adapt.
If you’re always doing things one way, you might be missing out on an upgrade.
Think of it like refusing to install updates on your phone — eventually, the software can’t keep up, and everything starts glitching.
3) “Nothing ever changes”
It’s tempting to settle into a narrative that the world is static.
Maybe you’re convinced your hometown hasn’t evolved since you were a teenager or that people never change their core personalities.
The danger of this mindset?
Well, it blinds you to the incremental shifts happening all around you, as well as within you.
Take technology as an example.
Apps, platforms, and the broader digital ecosystem shift by the hour.
Something you learned a couple of years ago might be obsolete now. If you assume “nothing ever changes,” you’ll never even look for updated tools or ideas that can make your life easier.
The same goes for personal growth — if you believe you or others can’t change, you’re less likely to make room for second chances or new perspectives.
The Dalai Lama famously said, “We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves.”
The world around you isn’t the only thing that’s evolving.
You are, too.
If you insist that “nothing ever changes,” you deny yourself the hope and possibility for real transformation.
4) “I’m not a tech person”
In 2025, technology is not going anywhere. If anything, it’s becoming more embedded in daily life.
Telling yourself (and everyone else) that you’re “not a tech person” is like announcing you’re not a “reading person” back in the day — it might cut you off from the tools you need to navigate modern life effectively.
I’ve watched friends who once insisted they’d never adapt to digital tools now run entire online businesses.
It’s not that they suddenly morphed into Silicon Valley whiz kids overnight.
They just shifted their perspective from “I can’t” to “I can learn.”
With the abundance of user-friendly platforms, tutorials, and even free online courses, you’d be amazed at how simple it can be to get comfortable with the basics of technology — if you’re willing to keep an open mind.
One study from the University of Zagreb noted that adults who engage with basic tech literacy programs significantly increase their confidence and job prospects.
Believing you’re “not a tech person” sets up a mental roadblock and denies you access to opportunities that keep multiplying in our digital era.
5) “They just don’t make ’em like they used to”
Romanticizing the past can feel pretty good sometimes.
Maybe you remember your childhood home-cooked meals or the music from decades ago, and you’re convinced nothing in the present will ever match up.
Nostalgia has its place — it can ground us, connect us to our roots, and offer a sense of comfort.
The problem arises when nostalgia morphs into resistance to the present.
I once clung to the idea that older cars were better, sturdier, and more reliable.
Then I ended up driving a friend’s 2020 Hybrid for a few days.
My “old is better” argument started to crumble. Modern vehicles come loaded with safety features, better fuel efficiency, and a smaller carbon footprint — things I realized mattered a lot to me.
Clinging too tightly to “the way things used to be” stops you from appreciating advancements that actually solve real problems.
Yes, some newer stuff breaks easily or feels shallow, but there’s plenty out there that’s an improvement on what came before.
If you never give the new wave a shot, you might end up missing out on convenience, safety, or joy in ways you never expected.
6) “I’ll never be able to learn that”
Can you remember the last time you were genuinely challenged to pick up a new skill?
Maybe for work, a hobby, or just out of curiosity.
Telling yourself “I’ll never be able to learn that” is like drawing a line in the sand and refusing to cross it. But the human brain is incredibly adaptable, even as we age.
Sure, kids learn languages faster, but adults bring problem-solving skills and discipline to the table.
I had a friend who was convinced coding was off-limits for her because she didn’t grow up “tech-savvy.”
After some encouragement, she gave a beginner’s course a shot—and ended up loving it so much that she changed careers.
That transformation happened because she dropped the phrase “I’ll never be able to learn that” and replaced it with “I can at least try.”
So, here’s the thing:
Sometimes, the only condition you need is permission from yourself. If you’re determined to learn something — even if you stumble — it can be a bigger confidence boost than you’d ever imagine.
7) “I’m just waiting for the ‘right time’”
The world rarely hands you a perfect moment on a silver platter.
If you keep waiting for the “right time” to change jobs, end a toxic relationship, or move to a new city, you might find yourself waiting forever.
Life is messy, complicated, and unpredictable.
There’s never a flawless setup where everything aligns seamlessly.
I’ve definitely been guilty of this.
Back in my early days of writing, I kept telling myself I’d work on a major project once I had “enough” money saved, more experience under my belt, or extra free hours in the day.
Before I knew it, months slipped by and I still hadn’t typed a single word. It took a wake-up call—a friend reminding me that “later” can easily turn into “never”—to make me start that project.
When I finally did, I realized I’d wasted so much energy waiting for an alignment of circumstances that rarely materialize in real life.
Final words
Moving forward often means reevaluating the words and ideas we carry with us.
We might not realize how phrases like “I’m too old for that now” or “I’ll never be able to learn that” can quietly chip away at our belief in what’s possible.
Our language molds our mindset, and mindsets shape the paths we take—or don’t take.
If you catch yourself using any of these seven phrases, take a step back.
Ask whether the expression reflects your true reality or if it’s just an echo of habit.
Could there be a new perspective you haven’t given yourself permission to see?
Letting go of these outdated statements doesn’t mean denying your past experiences — it simply means not letting them define your future.
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