This Keeps Martha Stewart Relevant — And It's Not Her Skincare

Martha Stewart speaking with attendees at the 2019 Maricopa Home and Garden Show. Photo by Gage Skidmore under CC BY-SA 2.0.

You know her for perfect pies and iconic table settings — but Martha Stewart's most timeless skill might be something far more relevant today: How to stay modern when the world expects you to fade.

At 83, Stewart isn't slowing down or slipping into the background. She's co-hosting new shows, breaking boundaries in fashion, and challenging everything we think we know about aging.

But here's the twist — her real secret? It's not what's in her fridge or her fitness routine. It's in her mindset.

Age Is the Number. Mindset Is the Game.

For Stewart, aging has never been about fading into a quiet corner of life. It's about continuing to expand. In an interview with NBC, and on other platforms, she repeatedly steers the conversation away from "successful aging" and toward "successful living" — a subtle but powerful distinction.

She surrounds herself with younger friends — not intentionally, she says, but because shared interests keep her engaged. That single choice keeps her looped into new ideas, new language, and a sense of present-day culture that many abandon as they age.

The takeaway? Staying modern isn't about chasing trends. It's about staying in motion with the people, ideas, and activities that keep you lit up.

Always Be Learning — Or Risk Stagnation

Stewart is obsessed with learning. She told Maria Shriver in a conversation on aging that the most important habit you can form at any age is to learn something new daily.

That's not just good advice — it's a neurological advantage. Research backs up her instincts, too. According to experts cited on MarthaStewart.com, engaging with new ideas helps keep your brain forming fresh neural pathways.

Stewart tackles learning and staying mentally active like she does everything else: with rigor and enthusiasm. Whether it's crossword puzzles, garden design, or a new business partnership, she sees these not just as hobbies — but as brain fuel.

Her underlying philosophy? If you're not expanding, you're shrinking.

Confidence Is Modern — And It's Magnetic.

One of Stewart's most modern traits has nothing to do with technology — and everything to do with self-regard. She speaks openly and without apology about what she likes about herself. She praises her skin, her legs, and her sense of style. Not in a boastful way — in a matter-of-fact way. According to NBC, Stewart said, "I have nice legs, I have a good body, I have good skin. I might be a little fat here and there, but who cares? It looks good altogether."

It's a statement that feels almost rebellious for a woman in her 80s — and that's exactly the point.

This kind of self-confidence isn't just refreshing — it's radical. It's not about clinging to youth. It's about embracing yourself, fully and without hesitation, right now.

Curiosity Is Her Currency

Stewart's curiosity bleeds into every corner of her life. She's traveled to Madagascar with her family. She maintains an active calendar packed with TV shoots, product launches, and partnerships. She keeps her aesthetic fresh not by updating it every season, but by knowing what works for her — and sticking with it.

And while she might not always chase the latest fashion trends, she's never out of step. Why? Because curiosity makes her relevant. She pays attention. She listens. She experiments.

In an interview with Well and Good, Stewart said, "I never think about how old I am, because it's not about that. It's about who you are."

What Martha Really Teaches Us

What's stunning about Stewart's outlook is that it doesn't rely on money, fame, or followers. It relies on a decision — to see life as ever-expanding. Not winding down, but gearing up for another season, another invention, another challenge.

In an era where age is often seen as a countdown clock, Martha Stewart is the woman hammering on the reset button. Over and over again.

She's not just aging well. She's changing the script on what aging can be.

References: Martha Stewart's Brilliant Key to 'Successful Living' in Her 80s: 'I Don't..." | Martha's 10 Best Tips for Healthy Aging | Martha Stewart's Simple Hack for Staying Vibrant at Every Age