Margaret pushes her shopping cart through the grocery store aisles, humming softly to herself. Her list is handwritten on the back of an envelope, and she stops to chat with the cashier about the weather. Meanwhile, her 25-year-old neighbor Jake rushes past with earbuds in, scanning QR codes and tapping his phone to pay, never making eye contact with anyone.
Later that evening, Margaret calls her sister for their weekly catch-up, laughing so hard she nearly spills her tea. Jake spends the same hour scrolling through social media, feeling oddly empty despite seeing hundreds of “friends” and their highlight reels.
There’s something fascinating happening here. While the world rushes toward digital everything, people in their 60s and 70s are quietly holding onto certain old-school habits that seem to be making them genuinely happier than their tech-obsessed younger counterparts.
Why Old-School Habits Are Creating Real Happiness
Recent studies show that people over 60 report higher levels of life satisfaction than millennials and Gen Z, despite having less access to modern conveniences and entertainment. The secret isn’t in rejecting all technology, but in maintaining certain traditional practices that create deeper human connections and more meaningful experiences.
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Dr. Sarah Mitchell, a behavioral psychologist, explains it this way: “These habits aren’t outdated relics. They’re time-tested methods for building the relationships and routines that actually contribute to long-term wellbeing.”
The contrast becomes clear when you look at how different generations approach the same basic human needs for connection, purpose, and peace of mind.
Six Traditional Habits That Keep Older Adults Thriving
1. Making Phone Calls Instead of Texting
Watch someone in their 70s pick up the phone to call a friend. No overthinking the message, no wondering about tone, just a simple “Hello, how are you?” and they’re connected. The conversation flows naturally, with real laughter, genuine pauses, and the kind of spontaneous tangents that actually build relationships.
Younger people often say they “hate phone calls,” yet they spend hours analyzing text messages and wondering what someone really meant. The irony is striking when you consider that a five-minute call can accomplish what takes twenty texts to communicate.
2. Reading Physical Newspapers and Books
Every morning, millions of older adults sit with their coffee and an actual newspaper. They read entire articles instead of skimming headlines. They turn pages instead of scrolling endlessly. This habit creates a focused, intentional start to the day rather than the anxiety-inducing news alerts that wake up younger generations.
“There’s something therapeutic about holding a book,” says retired teacher Linda Thompson. “You’re not tempted to check notifications every two minutes. You’re just present with the story.”
3. Cooking Meals From Scratch
While younger people order takeout through apps or heat up meal kits, older adults often spend time actually preparing food. They chop vegetables, season by taste, and create something with their hands. This isn’t just about nutrition – it’s about the meditative process of creating something meaningful.
The kitchen becomes a place of creativity and accomplishment, not just a pit stop between activities.
4. Maintaining Regular Social Rituals
Coffee dates, book clubs, weekly dinners with family, church gatherings – older adults build their weeks around real, in-person social connections. These aren’t one-off events but consistent touchstones that provide structure and belonging.
Compare this to younger people who might have hundreds of social media connections but struggle to maintain regular, meaningful face-to-face relationships.
5. Writing Letters and Thank You Notes
The lost art of handwritten correspondence lives on in older generations. They still send birthday cards, write thank you notes, and sometimes even pen actual letters. This practice forces them to slow down, think about what they want to say, and create something tangible that recipients can hold and treasure.
Research shows that both writing and receiving handwritten notes triggers positive emotions that digital messages simply cannot replicate.
6. Taking Daily Walks Without Distractions
You’ll see them in every neighborhood – older adults taking their morning or evening walks, often without headphones or phones in hand. They notice their surroundings, greet neighbors, and use this time for reflection rather than consumption.
These walks aren’t just exercise; they’re moving meditation that helps process the day and stay connected to their immediate environment.
The Happiness Factor Behind These Traditional Practices
What makes these old-school habits so effective at creating happiness? The common thread is presence, intentionality, and genuine human connection.
| Old-School Habit | Modern Alternative | Happiness Benefit |
| Phone calls | Text messages | Real emotional connection |
| Physical books | Social media scrolling | Focused attention and learning |
| Home cooking | Food delivery apps | Creativity and accomplishment |
| Regular social rituals | Digital socializing | Consistent community bonds |
| Handwritten notes | Instant messages | Thoughtful expression |
| Distraction-free walks | Multitasking exercise | Mindful presence |
Dr. Robert Chen, who studies aging and wellbeing, notes: “These habits share something crucial – they require people to slow down and engage fully with one thing at a time. That’s become revolutionary in our multitasking world.”
What Younger Generations Can Learn
The beautiful thing about these old-school habits is that they’re not exclusive to any age group. Anyone can choose to call instead of text, read physical books, or take walks without headphones. The barrier isn’t access or ability – it’s simply the willingness to slow down.
Some young people are already catching on. The rise in vinyl record sales, the popularity of analog planners, and the growing interest in “slow living” movements suggest that younger generations are beginning to crave the intentionality that these traditional practices provide.
Emma Rodriguez, a 28-year-old marketing professional, started writing thank you notes after watching her grandmother’s weekly ritual: “At first it felt awkward and slow, but now it’s become this peaceful part of my Sunday routine. Plus, people are genuinely touched when they receive something handwritten.”
The key insight isn’t that technology is bad, but that some human experiences can’t be digitized without losing their essential value. A handwritten note carries the writer’s time and attention in a way that a text never can. A phone call includes all the subtle emotional cues that get lost in written messages.
Perhaps the most valuable lesson from observing older adults is this: happiness often comes not from having more options, but from choosing fewer, better ones. Instead of endless scroll sessions, they choose focused reading. Instead of digital communication, they choose real conversation.
Their “old-school” habits aren’t holding them back from modern happiness – they’re protecting something essential about human wellbeing that our hyperconnected world sometimes forgets.
FAQs
Are older adults actually happier than younger people?
Multiple studies show that people over 60 report higher life satisfaction and emotional wellbeing than millennials and Gen Z, despite facing more health challenges.
Can young people benefit from adopting these old-school habits?
Absolutely. These practices focus on presence and genuine connection, which benefit mental health regardless of age.
Is it realistic to give up technology completely?
The goal isn’t to abandon technology but to be more intentional about when and how you use it, while maintaining some analog practices.
Why do phone calls feel so uncomfortable to younger people?
Many grew up texting and find real-time conversation anxiety-provoking because they can’t edit or delete their words before sharing them.
What’s the easiest old-school habit to start with?
Try making one phone call per week instead of texting, or spend 15 minutes reading a physical book without your phone nearby.
Do these habits actually improve mental health?
Research shows that practices emphasizing presence, creativity, and face-to-face connection do reduce anxiety and increase life satisfaction.