Last week, I sat at a kitchen table on the Upper West Side.

My client looked at her iPhone, then at me, and said:

“Dave, the younger generation was born with computers.
We weren’t.
It’s scary.
Where do I even start?”

She meant it.
It wasn’t fear of the device — it was fear of being left behind.

Let’s slow down.
Let’s make this simple.

You’re Not Late. You’re Just New.

People say “kids were born with tech” as if it’s a superpower.

It isn’t.

Kids just grew up pressing buttons before they could spell their names.

If you didn’t grow up with tech, that doesn’t make you behind.

It just makes you early in the process.
And that’s okay.

A Moment That Hit Me

At that same table, I showed her how to organize emails.
How to save files.
How to navigate Netflix.

Then she whispered something I hear all the time:

“I just don’t want to feel stupid.”

I told her what I tell everyone:

“You’re not stupid.
You’re just starting from a different place.
Everyone starts at zero — even the kids.”

You could see her shoulders drop.
Her breathing slow.
Her confidence rise.

Not because her iPhone changed.
But because she did.

Why Tech Feels Scary

Even people who “know tech” get overwhelmed.

Apps update.
Buttons move.
Icons disappear.
Menus shuffle.

Everything changes faster than we do.

And the fears stack up:

“What if I tap the wrong thing?”
“What if I delete something important?”
“What if I break it?”
“What if I annoy someone by asking?”

It becomes more than tech.
It becomes emotional.

That’s why patience isn’t optional — it’s required.

The Truth About Learning Tech Later

Here’s the truth, with no fluff:

You can learn this.
You’re not too old.
You’re not behind.
You’re not bad at tech.

No one taught you in a way that made sense.
That’s all.

Most guides move too fast.
Most videos assume too much.
Most helpers talk in jargon.
Most tech is built for people who grew up with it.

Your frustration is normal.

How to Learn Without Feeling Lost

Here’s what works:

1. One Thing at a Time

Learn one feature.
Master it.
Then move on.

2. Slow, Calm Repetition

Repetition isn’t a flaw.
It’s the method.

3. No Jargon

If a word sounds complicated, stop the teacher.
Ask for simple terms.
You deserve clarity.

4. A Teacher Who Listens

Someone patient.
Someone calm.
Someone who explains with your pace in mind — not theirs.

You’re Not Alone

Thousands of older adults across NYC feel exactly like you.

Overwhelmed.
Embarrassed.
Worried.
Afraid of feeling “behind.”

But once you understand the tech…

the fear disappears.
And confidence shows up.

You reconnect.
You feel included.
You feel capable.

That’s the real win.

A Small Step You Can Take Today

If this sounds like you, here’s the first step:

Pick one small thing to learn today.
Just one.

That’s enough.

Because once you take the first step,
the next step gets easier.

Then the next.

That’s how confidence is built — steady, simple, human.

Before You Go

Tech isn’t about perfection.
It’s about staying connected, informed, and confident.

You’re not late.
You’re not behind.
You’re simply learning something new.

And you’re not doing it alone.

Thanks again, and as always, stay connected!

Dave

Client Profile: “Dave… They Were Born With This Stuff.”