It’s easy to think that today’s twenty-somethings can do it all. They swipe, tap, and voice-command their way through life with a fluency that can leave the rest of us feeling a step behind.
As someone who spent decades teaching high school — watching each new wave of tech-native students roll in — I’ve seen firsthand just how quick they are to adapt to the newest app, gadget, or platform.
But here’s the thing: not everything comes with a touchscreen and a user-friendly interface.
There’s a whole category of tools and everyday items that we Boomers used without a second thought — things that required a bit of know-how, a touch of patience, and, dare I say it, some good old-fashioned common sense.
Today, we’re tipping our hats to the old-school know-how with 5 things every Boomer knows how to use — but would leave most 20-year-olds scratching their heads.
Let’s jump in.
1. A checkbook
We boomers got really good at writing checks, logging each transaction in a register, and reconciling our bank statements at the end of every month.
But nowadays, if you hand a 20-year-old a paper check and a check register, you might get a blank stare, followed by, “Why can’t I just Venmo you?”
Back in the day, balancing a checkbook was not just a chore—it was a tangible lesson in financial responsibility. We learned to make sure our spending didn’t exceed our earning. This simple practice paved the way for a deeper sense of discipline, which can be seen as part of a broader perspective on success.
2. A paper map
Have you ever given a young person an old-fashioned map?
I have — once, on a school trip we were taking through the mountains. The GPS signal had dropped out, and I handed one of the students a good old-fashioned road map — the kind that folds out into a poster and somehow never folds back the same way again.
They looked at it like I’d just handed them a scroll written in Latin.
See, we Boomers grew up navigating without satellites. If we wanted to get somewhere, we had to plot a route in advance, pay attention to road signs, and — heaven forbid — sometimes even stop and ask for directions.
Using a map wasn’t just about figuring out where you were going. It taught planning, patience, and the ability to think spatially. You had to understand not just where you were, but how you were getting there.
3. A sewing kit
Once upon a time, if you lost a button or ripped a seam, you didn’t toss the shirt — you fixed it.
Every home had a little sewing kit tucked away somewhere: a tin, a basket, maybe even one of those classic tomato-shaped pin cushions with a thousand needles sticking out of it.
Back in the day, basic sewing skills were part of growing up. Whether you learned it from your mom, in home ec class, or just figured it out out of necessity, stitching up a hem or sewing on a button was as normal as brushing your teeth.
You didn’t need to be a tailor — you just needed a needle, some thread, and a bit of patience.
Now, hand a 20-year-old a needle and thread and ask them to fix a loose button, and you’ll likely get a look of panic. Many young people have never even threaded a needle, let alone tied a knot that’ll hold through a washing machine cycle.
4. A camera that uses film
Before smartphones turned us all into casual photographers, taking a picture was a bit more involved — and a lot more intentional. You didn’t just whip out your phone, snap ten shots, and pick the best one. You had to think before you pressed that shutter.
I still remember the feel of winding the film, the satisfying click of the shutter, and the anticipation of waiting for your photos to be developed. You had no idea how they’d turn out until you picked them up from the photo lab days later. Sometimes you got a gem. Sometimes you didn’t.
We Boomers grew up knowing how to load film into a camera, advance the roll, and make each shot count. It taught us to slow down, to frame a moment with care — because film wasn’t cheap, and neither was the developing. You couldn’t afford to take 37 selfies trying to get the lighting right.
Most 20-year-olds today have never had to wait for a photo. They’ve never experienced the disappointment of a whole roll ruined by a light leak — or the joy of discovering a great shot you forgot you took.
5. An ironing board and iron
Last but not least, there was a time when looking sharp meant more than tossing something in the dryer and hoping for the best.
We Boomers knew the art of pressing a shirt — and not just because we had to. It was about showing up put-together, with crisp pleats, smooth collars, and a little pride in your appearance.
Ironing wasn’t a once-a-year thing. It was a regular ritual.
You’d set up the board, fill the iron with water, wait for that satisfying hiss of steam, and get to work. There was a technique to it — smoothing the fabric just so, avoiding creases, maybe even using a little starch. It wasn’t fast, but it was effective.
Ask most 20-year-olds today if they know how to iron a dress shirt or a pair of slacks, and you’ll probably get a sheepish grin or a “nah, I just hang it in the bathroom while I shower.” And hey, that works — sometimes. But it’s not quite the same.
Ironing taught patience, attention to detail, and that how you present yourself matters. And I think even in a world of wrinkle-release sprays and “athleisure all day,” there’s still something to be said for the clean lines of a freshly ironed shirt — and the person who knows how to make it happen.
Final thoughts
There you have it — a little tour through a few everyday tools and tasks that defined a generation.
These aren’t just quirky relics of the past; they’re markers of a time when doing things by hand wasn’t a novelty, it was the norm. And with that came a quiet kind of wisdom — the kind you pick up through repetition, patience, and figuring things out for yourself.
Sure, the world has changed — fast. And yes, today’s young people have a different (and often impressive) set of skills. But there’s still value in the slow, the analog, the tactile.
So the next time you dust off a checkbook, fix a hem, or iron a shirt just right, remember: you’re not just doing a task — you’re keeping a little slice of Boomer wisdom alive.
And that, I’d say, is something to be proud of.
