While baby boomers often face criticism in today’s world, there are certain habits and practices from their generation that deserve a second look. Many of these “boomer moments” actually offer valuable lessons that could benefit modern life. This article takes a look at various boomer habits that are worth bringing back into contemporary culture, especially for the younger generation.
Cherishing Family Time
Baby boomers knew all about traditional family values. Shared meals at the dinner table, family outings, strong family bonds, and lasting family memories are all undeniably great things that boomers excel at cultivating.
Cooking Homemade Meals
Who doesn’t love a delicious homemade meal? Boomers certainly do! Fast food wasn’t as much of a thing back when boomers were in their prime, so they had more practice with cooking healthy meals to share with their families. Preparing homemade meals with fresh ingredients is a great way to stay healthy and cut costs.
Spending More Time Outdoors
Boomers lived through the rise of TV and other technologies, so they spent much less time on indoor hobbies than later generations. We appreciate their love of gardening, picnics, and hiking, among many other outdoor activities. Spending more time outdoors is great for both your physical and mental well-being.
Reading Newspapers and Books
Nowadays, most of us spend much more time browsing videos online than relaxing with a great book. Boomers, who did not have access to today’s vast array of online platforms, are more likely to pick up a newspaper or invest in quality literature. Reading is a great way to gain a deeper understanding of the world, so we say bring it back!
Writing Letters and Thank You Notes
When was the last time you wrote a letter? Letters are becoming a thing of the past as instant messaging apps and social media take over. However, we think handwritten letters add a much more personal touch that strengthens relationships in a way texts simply cannot. Boomers are also great at sending meaningful thank-you notes.
Volunteering in the Community
Back in their heyday, boomers were much more community-focused than we tend to be today. This allowed them to support one another, strengthen their social connections, foster a sense of belonging, and improve their well-being. In an increasingly isolated tech-driven world, this is definitely something we could use more of.
Repairing Instead of Replacing
Boomers have a knack for being resourceful and fixing broken possessions instead of simply throwing them out. We all know environmental sustainability is increasingly important in the modern age, so we think this is a great habit that we should all strive to do more of.
Listening to Vinyl Records
Who needs vinyl records when you have an endless supply of online music at your fingertips? Boomers do! While they may seem impractical and clunky to us nowadays, vinyl records allow for a mindful appreciation of music that online streaming cannot match.
Learning Basic Home Maintenance
Boomers often excel at fixing broken appliances or other issues around the home. Their focus on saving and traditional family values means they typically invest heavily in creating a comfortable, homely living space. Let’s learn from the boomers and get homely again.
Developing Patience
It’s true what they say—patience is a virtue. Our attention spans seem to be getting shorter and shorter with the rise of seconds-long video clips and endless scrolling. Boomers know a thing or two about the value of waiting, saving, and delayed gratification.
Practicing Civility and Respect
Many of us may roll our eyes at the idea of “respecting your elders.” But respect is hardly ever a bad thing, and our elders have a lifetime’s worth of knowledge and experience. While boomers may struggle to keep up with changing social norms, they often maintain a commendable level of civility, respect, and common decency.
Extreme Sports and Adventure
Did you know that boomers are more likely to embrace their daredevil side than their predecessors? According to Jacksonville, boomers often engage in adventurous activities such as skydiving and rafting. Seeking risk and excitement is always a positive thing, as long as it’s done safely. So why not learn from the boomers and create more excitement in your life?
Fostering Community Spirit
Boomers are known for their ability to foster a strong sense of community spirit. Building and maintaining strong social and community bonds is beneficial for both your mental and physical health. We could all use more support and social interaction in our lives, so we could certainly learn from the boomers on this one.
Pursuing Lifelong Learning
For boomers, learning doesn’t stop when their formal education stops. We appreciate their dedication to lifelong learning, exploring new interests, and acquiring new skills well into their older years. Lifelong learning is a mentally stimulating way to keep your mind active and healthy as you age.
Reinvention
You may not think boomers have been through many major world events in their time, but this is actually far from true. Says Entrepreneur, “Baby boomers… have been instrumental in shaping the industrial landscape of the Western world,” and have had to adapt to changing work landscapes, the rising prevalence of technology, and changing cultural norms. Their ability to remain open and adaptive to these changes is something we could all learn from.
Strong Work Ethic
Boomers are known for their strong work ethic and ability to remain dedicated and committed to one job for many years. While it’s always a good idea to keep your career options open, we admire their commitment to job security and hard work.
Prioritizing Saving and Budgeting
Another benefit of our older generation’s strong work ethic is their overall financial stability. Boomers tend to do well with budgeting, saving, and ensuring they have the resources they need to prepare for unexpected life events and a comfortable retirement. A study summarized in Forbes said that baby boomers have it easier than Gen X and millennial families “at the same age—in terms of home ownership, debt levels, and retirement planning.”
Valuing Education
Boomers typically place a high value on education and lifelong learning. This habit allows them to maximize both their personal growth and career advancement opportunities. We think learning is a valuable pursuit in its own right, too.
Boomer Humor!
Hear us out on this one. You might think of boomer humor as antiquated and corny, but there’s a reason we talk about “dad jokes” with such fondness. Boomer humor can be pleasantly nostalgic, punny, and put a lighthearted spin on our struggles with generational differences.