The 1970s had plenty of ups and downs, but there’s something uniquely refreshing about revisiting old-school habits from that era. It was a time of fewer digital distractions and a whole lot more face-to-face connection.
I’m not saying everything was perfect back then. Yet, when you look at how people interacted, made plans, and approached daily life, you can’t help but notice a distinct warmth in the simplicity.
So, let’s travel back for a moment and explore four habits from the 70s that I believe are worth reviving in the modern age.
1. Having real conversations without constant distractions
Remember the days when conversations didn’t involve glancing down at your phone every five seconds?
In the 70s, folks relied on face-to-face talks or, at most, a landline call—no texts, no social feeds, no buzzing notifications mid-sentence. That lack of distraction made being present the norm, not the exception. You listened more intently, picked up on body language, and actually filled silences with real dialogue instead of scrolling.
Today, we even have a name for this modern-day disconnect: phubbing—the act of snubbing someone in favor of your phone. According to Healthline, nearly 32% of people report being phubbed two to three times a day.
That’s not just a stat—it’s a signal that something’s off in how we connect.
I once tried an “unplugged weekend” as an experiment, and it felt like stepping into a mini time capsule. I made more eye contact, got into deeper discussions, and felt oddly more energized by social interactions.
Bringing back just a bit of that 70s approach doesn’t mean ditching your phone entirely. It could be as simple as silencing it when meeting up with a friend. You’d be surprised how much more you get out of the moment when your attention isn’t divided.
2. Family-style dinners (for real)
The idea of everyone gathering around a table at dinnertime might seem quaint in the modern, fast-paced world. But in the 70s, it was pretty typical to sit down as a family—no phones, no streaming services, and maybe only a bit of background radio or TV if you really insisted. The result was conversation that flowed more freely and a chance to connect in a meaningful way.
Growing up, I remember my own family dinners didn’t always go smoothly. My siblings and I bickered about silly things, and sometimes we’d rush through the meal because we wanted to get back to our shows. But looking back, I see how crucial that routine was for checking in with each other. It was a built-in moment of the day where everyone had to slow down and interact.
Research backs me up on this. According to studies, shared meals contribute to lower risks of childhood depression, substance use and eating disorders. Moreover, these gatherings allow parents to model positive behaviors and reinforce family values.
It’s not about crafting gourmet meals every night. Even simple, home-cooked dishes can serve as the backdrop for meaningful conversations and lasting memories. By prioritizing family dinners, we’re not just nourishing our bodies—we’re nurturing our relationships.
3. Using our imagination
Einstein once said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.” And honestly, the 1970s seemed to understand that intuitively—especially when it came to how kids (and adults) entertained themselves.
Remember being a kid and turning a cardboard box into a spaceship? Or pretending the living room rug was lava and the couch was your only safe island? That wasn’t just “play”—it was world-building, storytelling, creative problem-solving. No screens. No algorithms. Just raw imagination at work.
These days, with so much entertainment pre-packaged and algorithmically curated, it feels like kids (and adults) are outsourcing their imagination. There’s less space for boredom—and boredom, ironically, is often the birthplace of creativity.
Experts back this up: as noted by the team at Scientific American, unstructured, imaginative play for kids is vital for developing cognitive flexibility, emotional resilience, and social skills.
Bringing imagination back doesn’t mean rejecting tech altogether. It just means making room for open-ended creativity—whether that’s building a fort, inventing a backyard game, or even just doodling with no end goal in mind.
4. Slower, simpler weekends
Finally, a massive part of 70s life was how weekends weren’t always jam-packed with errands, side hustles, and social media check-ins. People often took Saturdays and Sundays as an opportunity to truly unwind or do something that refueled their souls. Whether it was a lazy afternoon at home, a spontaneous road trip, or a simple coffee with friends, the idea was to break from the frenetic pace of the weekday.
I’ve mentioned this before but I once had a habit of filling my Sundays with so much “catch-up” work that it stopped feeling like a break at all. Over time, I noticed my stress levels were through the roof, and my productivity tanked during the week. Taking a hint from the 70s approach, I began dedicating at least half of Sunday to relaxation—no emails, no to-do lists, just pure downtime. My mental health improved, and ironically, I became more productive on Monday.
Scheduling in some guilt-free leisure time—like they did back in the day—is a natural remedy for all those negative emotions that often come with a busy schedule. Whether that’s strolling around the neighborhood, reading a book in the park, or even picking up a paintbrush, letting your mind decompress can dramatically improve your mood and overall sense of well-being.
Putting it all together
Bringing these habits back to life in 2025 might feel like traveling to another dimension, especially with the constant buzz of smartphones and the never-ending streams of digital content.
However, if we start carving out a little time each day for meaningful face-to-face interactions, savoring a meal with loved ones, letting boredom inspire us, and giving ourselves a real weekend rest, we might just recreate some of that old-school warmth and simplicity without sacrificing the conveniences of modern life.
So, why not give it a try?
You don’t have to be a throwback purist to see the value in unplugging during conversations or having one device-free family dinner a week. You don’t need to run around in bell-bottoms to appreciate the power of neighborly kindness. And you certainly don’t need to ban all productivity tools to give yourself a real weekend break.
These habits may be “forgotten,” but they’re far from irrelevant. A few mindful decisions could help us strike a balance between the best of both worlds—leading to happier families, closer communities, and a healthier mental space overall.
