Tech Confidence at Any Age

How an Open Mind Turns Everyday Seniors into Everyday Techies

October 3 is National Techie’s Day, and I’ve got news for you: being a techie isn’t about knowing how to code or fixing computers. It’s about curiosity, and you’ve already got that in spades.

I learned this truth when my neighbor Margaret, 78, showed me her phone last week. She’d figured out how to organize her photos into albums, set medication reminders, and even video call her grandkids overseas. “I’m no techie,” she laughed. But here’s the thing—she absolutely is.

The Real Problem We’re Solving

Technology gets a bad rap in our generation, and for good reason. Companies design gadgets for twenty-somethings, then act surprised when we struggle. The manuals are printed in microscopic font. Customer service reps talk too fast and use jargon. Our kids and grandkids, bless them, either explain things once at lightning speed or just grab the device and do it themselves.

This creates a nasty cycle: we feel inadequate, so we avoid trying new things, which makes us fall further behind, which makes us feel worse. Meanwhile, we miss out on tools that could genuinely make our lives easier—staying connected with family, managing our health, or simply getting answers to questions without waiting on hold for an hour.

What Being a Techie Actually Means

Forget everything you think you know about techies. You don’t need to understand algorithms or build websites. Being a techie simply means you’re willing to:

Press buttons to see what happens (nothing will explode, I promise)

Ask questions without feeling embarrassed

Try again when something doesn’t work the first time

That’s it. That’s the whole secret.

Think about everything you’ve already learned in your lifetime. You figured out transistor radios, microwave ovens, ATMs, and digital watches when they were brand new. You adapted to decimal currency if you’re British, or learned metric measurements in school. You mastered VCRs well enough to tape your favorite shows (even if the clock always blinked 12:00).

Technology today isn’t harder—it’s just different. And different is something you’ve handled your entire life.

The Open Mind Advantage

Here’s where we actually have an edge over younger folks: patience and life experience.

When I can’t figure out why my tablet isn’t connecting to WiFi, I don’t throw it across the room. I methodically check the basics—is it plugged in, is the WiFi on, did I type the password correctly? This troubleshooting approach, honed over decades of fixing everything from stuck drawers to car engines, applies perfectly to technology.

We also know that most things worth doing take time to learn. Younger people expect instant mastery. We understand that fumbling around is part of the process. Nobody picked up knitting or woodworking or bridge and knew everything immediately.

Small Wins Build Confidence

Start where you are. If you can send a text message, you’re tech-savvy. If you’ve ever used an online banking app, you’re ahead of many. Checked the weather on your phone? That counts too.

Each small success builds confidence for the next step. Last year, I finally learned to use voice commands on my phone. Not because I’m particularly talented, but because I kept trying even when Siri pretended not to understand my perfectly clear instructions. Now I use it daily—hands-free directions while driving, setting timers while cooking, sending messages without my reading glasses.

My friend Robert started with email five years ago. Just email. Now he orders groceries online, manages his investments through an app, and recently figured out how to share his location with his daughter when he goes hiking. He didn’t take a course. He just stayed curious and wasn’t afraid to look foolish occasionally.

The Questions That Hold Us Back

“What if I break something?” You won’t. Computers are remarkably hard to break through normal use. And if you do mess up a setting, someone can fix it.

“What if I look stupid?” Everyone feels stupid learning new technology. Everyone. The difference is some people push through that feeling and others let it stop them.

“I’m too old to learn this.” Research shows our brains remain capable of learning throughout our lives. You might learn differently than at twenty, but you absolutely can learn.

“I don’t need all this fancy stuff.” Maybe not. But maybe some of it would make your life genuinely better. You won’t know until you explore.

What You Gain

This isn’t about keeping up with the times or proving something to anyone. It’s about reclaiming independence.

Technology helps us stay in our homes longer by monitoring our health and safety. It keeps us connected to people we love, even when distance or mobility makes visits difficult. It gives us access to entertainment, information, and services without relying on others.

When my wife started having trouble driving at night, online shopping meant she could still get what she needed without asking for rides. When I wanted to learn about managing my arthritis, I found support groups and information immediately. These aren’t trivial conveniences—they’re quality of life improvements.

Tomorrow and Beyond

So this National Techie’s Day, give yourself credit for what you already know and permission to learn something new. Pick one small thing that’s been puzzling you—maybe how to attach a photo to an email, or what those icons at the top of your phone mean, or how to adjust the text size to something readable.

Ask someone to show you slowly. Write down the steps. Practice until it feels natural. Then celebrate that win before moving to the next thing.

You’ve spent your entire life solving problems and learning new skills. This is just another chapter in that story. The only difference between you and a “techie” is that they started pressing buttons slightly sooner.

Keep that open mind you’ve cultivated over the years. Stay curious about how things work. Be patient with yourself during the awkward learning phase. That’s all it takes.

Welcome to the club. You’ve been a techie all along—you just needed someone to tell you.