Rejecting new technology is often seen as a landmark on the road to old age. It’s a sign – presumably – that one is now incapable of learning advanced tech in their later years.

Or, perhaps, it is merely an awakening – a realization as people age that the technology they grew up with was enough.

The text message has evolved in my lifetime from basic texting capability to sending images, links, stickers, and emojis, but I just hit my limit. A few days ago I received a “Happy New Year” text message, and when I opened it I was greeted with a visual assault of an animation to celebrate the occasion. I was then blessed with a repeat performance when I sent the same words back to the sender. No value added.

So as I start the latter half of this journey we call life, I reflect on those times I’ve criticized elders for their inability to grasp new technology. Reassessing any time I injected the word ‘luddite’ into a conversation, accusing someone of refusing to keep up with the times. Now I wonder if they knew something I didn’t. Did they know something I’m now starting to stumble upon?

Maybe that’s the trick – knowing when we’ve reached the point of ‘enough’ in life, and being content with what that provides.

Maybe future generations will catch on sooner.