Old-School Habits: Growing up in a world before smartphones, people in their 60s and 70s built habits that were slow, simple, and surprisingly powerful. Today, when many young people are always scrolling, tapping, and multitasking, older adults often seem calmer, happier, and more grounded.
Their lives may look “old-fashioned,” but their habits bring real emotional stability, deep connections, and a strong sense of belonging. In this article, let’s explore the old-school habits they refuse to drop — and why adopting even a few can make your own life feel lighter and more meaningful.
1. Calling Instead of Texting: The Power of Real Voices
Many older adults still pick up the phone instead of sending quick texts. For them, a phone call isn’t an interruption — it is a connection. They can hear emotion, sense worry, enjoy laughter, and understand pauses in a way texting can never replace.
A simple 10-minute call can turn into a warm conversation with stories, memories, and real feelings. It may look “slow,” but it’s actually a strong form of emotional care.
2. Slow Rituals: Paper, Pens & Doing One Thing at a Time
Older people still write shopping lists, birthday cards, and small reminder notes by hand. They enjoy the slowness of it — the pause, the thinking, the writing.
These small paper rituals help them stay calm, focused, and connected. Research shows handwriting improves memory and reduces stress. In a world filled with multitasking, their habit of single-tasking is a quiet superpower.
3. Showing Up in Person: Community Over Algorithms
While younger generations spend hours on Instagram or Snapchat, older adults still show up for:
- Book clubs
- Community meetings
- Choir groups
- Volunteer work
- Family lunches
These regular in-person moments build trust, belonging, and real friendships. Digital connections feel fast, but offline connections stay stronger for years.
4. Borrowing These Old-School Habits (Without Quitting Tech)
You don’t need to throw away your smartphone. Just start small:
- Call one friend a week
- Have one tech-free meal
- Write one hand-written note or postcard every month
- Keep your phone away for 10 minutes before bed
These little changes gently calm the nervous system and help you live with more presence.
5. Emotional Realism: Expecting Life to Be a Mix of Good & Hard
Older adults have lived through major life events — failures, losses, illnesses, and changes. This gives them emotional realism, not negativity.
They don’t expect life to be perfect, so small problems don’t shake them. Younger people, raised on perfect photos and filtered success, often feel pressure to always “look” happy online.
Older adults focus on simple stability, not constant upgrades.
6. Tiny Everyday Gestures That Bring Joy
Ask someone in their 70s what made their day good, and they’ll mention something small:
- Watering plants
- Feeding birds
- Talking to the bakery owner
- Doing a crossword
- Dressing properly before going out
These daily touchpoints give structure and meaning. They’re grounding, simple, and comforting — and they make life feel fuller.
7. Avoiding Modern Traps Younger People Fall Into
Young people often confuse stimulation with satisfaction — endless scrolling, jumping between apps, reacting to notifications.
Older adults still organise their day into natural time blocks, like morning chores, afternoon rest, and evening routine. Their nervous system gets time to reset.
They’re also comfortable being unreachable for some time — something modern generations struggle with.
8. Their Happiness Is Calm — Not Loud
Older adults define happiness differently. It’s not about big moments or social media likes. It’s about:
- Sleeping well
- Feeling useful
- Having real friends
- Enjoying small treats
- Knowing who they can rely on
This creates quiet happiness that stays steady, not fragile.
Why Old-School Habits Make Life Happier
| Old-School Habit | What It Involves | Why It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Phone calls & visits | Real conversations, hearing voices | Builds deeper emotional bonds |
| Paper rituals | Handwritten notes, lists, letters | Improves focus and reduces stress |
| Community presence | Meetings, clubs, volunteering | Creates strong support systems |
| Emotional realism | Balanced expectations about life | Less anxiety, more acceptance |
Old-school habits may seem outdated, but they provide something rare in today’s world: peace, connection, and emotional clarity. People in their 60s and 70s stay happier not because life is easier, but because their routines protect them from digital overload.
By slowing down, showing up, and building real relationships, they enjoy a kind of happiness that feels stable and real. Even adopting one or two of these habits can make your everyday life calmer, more meaningful, and far less stressful.
FAQs
Why do older people seem happier than younger generations?
They usually have stronger offline relationships, stable routines, and lower dependence on phones, which supports emotional well-being.
Do I need to quit social media to enjoy these benefits?
No. You can balance both by adding small offline habits like calling someone or having tech-free moments.
What is one easy old-school habit I can start today?
Make one phone call to someone you care about and talk without multitasking — it makes a big difference.