Old School Cool: 7 Boomer Habits Gen Z Should Adopt

It’s typical for older people to speak to younger people in a way where the vibe is “I’m older than you and I know better than you do.” We often roll our eyes in disbelief that they still think that’s the way to do things. But did you know that some boomer habits are actually worth adopting? Boomer habits hold timeless principles that changed how they lived, worked, ate, and generally existed. They’re well-known for being resourceful, optimistic, and hardworking. These traits are often mentioned when describing Gen Z. So today we’re sharing 7 Boomer habits that Gen Z should consider adopting. For one reason or another, the following Boomer habits can seriously change up your life in all the best ways!

1. Money-saving.

Boomers invented the saying “money doesn’t grow on trees,” and millennials often roll their eyes in the tiredness of hearing it. But Boomers were on to something when it came to finances. They knew how to stretch a dollar and be able to maximize its use. It was common for money management lessons to begin at a young age, as small children were often very involved with daily tasks. A few cornerstone lessons that Boomers lived by were to pay your bills before you pay yourself, identify the difference between needs and wants, and the significance of building credit rather than debt. 

Gen Z, though commonly regarded as being “budget-conscious,”  has been put in a position where they sort of have to be. They face a never-ending battle with inflation, challenging job markets, and financial insecurities. They have to try to save always. They take inspiration for purchasing things from creators and influencers, with many purchases being made right from their phones. Boomers seemed to prioritize the things that must be paid as opposed to the things they may have wanted. Gen Z loves a good deal and will even wait for one. Furthermore, Gen Z could take some lessons on building credit rather than debt, which was something Boomers were/are experts in. With a constantly evolving economy, job losses, and rising costs, Gen Z is stuck in a perpetuating cycle of debt. Many Gen Z’s wonder if they’ll ever be able to enter home ownership or face financial stability ever.

2. Value of face-to-face communication.

Gen Z could learn a lot about Boomers’ communication style. While Gen Z has shorter attention spans, they prefer short and easily digestible content and fewer face-to-face interactions. Boomers have a great appreciation for face-to-face communication. Arguably, it leads to improved relationships, reduced misunderstandings, and increased empathy. Whereas Gen Z’s unique way of communicating involves memes, irony, and sarcasm. Boomers value face-to-face connection, and Gen Zs value authenticity through digital connection.

3. Making food from scratch.

Gen Z is all about ease and convenience. Fast, tap to pay, and before you know it, it appears. (Thanks to the endless amount of companies delivering food these days.) But Boomers had one thing about them in this area that Gen Z could really benefit from. Boomers cooked from scratch. They believed the food to be fresher, more flavorful, and the meals to be more cost-effective. In addition, it was a way to pass down family recipes, which we love. Gen Z could learn a lot about how Boomers prepared meals from scratch!

4. Handwriting.

Handwriting was an essential skill for Boomers as they faced life with limited technology. Assignments, documents, professional correspondence, and all other types of writing were done by hand. Gen Z, on the other hand, likely doesn’t even know cursive writing. They rely on keyboards and voice-to-type apps. However, handwriting rather than typing has a big impact on cognitive health that Gen Z could benefit from. It improves memory and recall, as well as a deeper conceptual understanding of the material. These are things that go on to majorly impact Boomers’ lives that Gen Z could really take some notes about. Handwriting is also way more personal than typing and allows you to incorporate creativity with every stroke.

5. Outdoors lovers.

Boomers growing up typically spent a lot of time outdoors regardless of the season or the weather. I’m sure you’ve heard the story, “I had to walk 5 miles from school in a furious winter blizzard without any boots on.” Well, maybe they had boots, but you know what we mean. But their outdoor habits fostered a generation of outdoor enthusiasts. In fact, it’s still common for boomers to spend at least an hour outside every day (41% of Boomers), whereas only 33% of Gen Z do that. (1)

6. Gardening.

Gardening offered Boomers a way of being self-reliant. They could grow their own nutritious food without relying on grocery stores. They had an ongoing fresh and healthy supply of produce. It was also often a family tradition and pivotal in living an active, healthy lifestyle. While some of Gen Z does enjoy gardening, it’s in a very different way than Boomers. Gen Z finds inspiration from social media, where Boomers tended to garden for survival. Gen Z does love plants; however, as they’ve found, there are many awesome mental health benefits from taking care of one, but they don’t garden food the same as Boomers did, which brought Boomers enormous advantages. (Improved health because of nutritious eating, staying active while tending to the garden, being outdoors, etc.)

7. Community involvement.

Boomers value community differently than what Gen Z does, and this is one area that Gen Z could learn from. Boomers felt a strong sense of community and put a lot of energy into building meaningful relationships with neighbors. Gen Z values social connection and community over “IRL” (in real life) connections. But a lot could be said about how Boomers value community and the impact it can have on health and well-being. For example, Boomers can feel a strong sense of belonging and a deeper connection to people, which therefore can improve a person’s mental well-being.

Conclusion.

Okay, Gen Zs, you’re doing a lot of things right. The way you see the world and how you treat people is unmatched. But there are a few things that you could learn from Boomers. From their awesome money-saving tips, communication style, and making food from scratch to spending time in nature and building a strong community, these seven Boomer habits could benefit many Gen Zs!